Lewis Johnston appointed as CIArb Head of Policy, Public Affairs and Research

CIArb has a new Head of Policy, Public Affairs and Research, with Lewis Johnston joining the Institute on 16 April 2018. He will be responsible for leading on our engagement and influencing strategies and fulfilling our vision of the Institute as the voice of ADR worldwide. 

Lewis joins us from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors where he was Parliamentary Affairs Manager from 2015. He brings a wealth of experience of political influencing and policy development – at RICS he successfully led a range of high-impact policy campaigns, developed relationships across the built environment sectors and increased the profile of the organisation with key policymakers. A graduate of both Durham and Bristol Universities, Lewis’ other experience includes a stint at KPMG and working as Campaign Coordinator for a leading Government Minister.

Strengthening the profession’s public and political profile is central to CIArb’s public interest mandate, and Lewis is keen to apply his experience in pursuit of an ambitious agenda for the Institute. He said:

“I’m delighted to be joining CIArb at such an exciting time for the ADR sector. There is a real opportunity for the Institute to consolidate and grow its position as the leading voice of ADR with decision-makers across the world, and together with my team I will work to build on the success of recent years and ensure the profession is at the heart of the policy debates shaping the sector. On a whole range of live issues, from equalities and affordable access to justice, to further embedding ADR in the fabric of the justice system, it is vital that CIArb takes the initiative in leading the conversation. We’re in the midst of developing a revised strategic influencing strategy to ensure this is the case, and I welcome the input of the membership to that process.”