Darren Murphy Senior Adviser

Darren spent eight years as a special adviser in Tony Blair’s government: firstly, as special adviser to the Deputy Prime Minister in the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions; then to Health Secretary, Alan Milburn, 1999-2003, during the period of intense NHS reform; and finally, as special adviser to Prime Minister Tony Blair. He helped to plan and deliver three successful general election campaigns: in Tynemouth in 1997 and nationally, in 2001 and 2005.

On leaving government, Darren spent almost two decades as a political consultant, advising heads of state and government, party and political leaders, public service reformers and regulators in Europe, Latin America, Africa and Asia on public attitudes, political strategy, elections, campaigns and strategic communications.

In 2019, he returned to full-time education at the University of Birmingham: completing an MSc in Global Cooperation and Security; and in 2021, embarking on his doctoral research into the political psychology of peace processes, focusing on Northern Ireland and Good Friday Agreement.

He is a former Chairman of Newcastle upon Tyne Local Education Authority where he reformed the management and operation of the LEA and Newcastle schools. He has served on the board of the Theatre Royal Newcastle and as a member of the Court of the University of Newcastle upon Tyne.

In 2021, he was elected chairperson of Irish in Britain, the national charity supporting a wide network of Irish cultural, sporting, welfare and community organisations in Britain.

He is a regular television, radio and online media contributor.