External Affairs

Brian Berry - Director of External Affairs
Brian Berry has been Director of External Affairs at the FMB since May 2007, where he has responsibility for UK and EU policy, public affairs and media relations. Prior to his appointment Brian was Head of UK Public Policy at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). During his time at the RICS Brian was seconded to Brussels to set up the RICS European Policy Unit. Brian was born and educated in Devon and has two degrees in History and European policy. He started his career as a teacher at The Charterhouse Square School in central London and was made a Freeman of the City of London in 1989.

Richard Hyslop - Public Affairs Manager
Richard Hyslop has been Manager of Public Affairs at the FMB since August 2007, where he has responsibility for FMB stakeholder relations, communication, campaigns and parliamentary monitoring. Prior to his appointment Richard was External Affairs Executive at the National Landlords Association (NLA) where he dealt with the NLA's external relationships. Richard was born in Cumbria and has a degree in Politics and History. Following graduation Richard went to work in the European Parliament as a researcher for the British Conservative and Ulster Unionist delegation of MEPs. Richard has also worked for David Mundell MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland and for the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. In 2007 Richard became an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations and is treasurer of the Construction and Property Special Interest Group of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations.

Peter O'Connell - Policy Manager
Peter O'Connell joined the FMB in April 2005, and has been Manager of Policy since May 2006. In his current position, Peter has responsibility for FMB policy development and advocacy across a wide range of issues impacting upon the construction industry, from housing to health and safety. Peter was born in London and has a degree in politics. Following graduation, he gained considerable experience of Whitehall and the government decision making process from time spent on assignments at the Cabinet office, the office of the Deputy Prime Minister, and in the Private Office of the former the Attorney General, Lord Goldsmith.

Jayne Curtis - Media and Communications Manager
Jayne has been Media and Communications Manager at the FMB since March 2008. Jayne is responsible for increasing the awareness of the FMB and its campaigns in the press and media as well as all other external and internal communications. Jayne Joins the FMB from a computer and video games company, Mercury Games, where she was Public Relations Manager. Prior to that Jayne worked for a marketing agency, MICE Group. Jayne has a degree in film, radio and television studies at Christchurch University in Canterbury.