We are in the process of moving training platform, so please send us an email at [email protected]o.uk if you are interested, and we will notify you as soon as the platform is ready for sign ups.
What will you learn?
You have done all the research and you know the problem inside out but you just aren’t having any traction with government. This course helps you hone your understanding of how policy is made in the UK government and how to influence it, including through interactions with ministers.
Ministers and special advisers often reflect in their Policy Unstuck interviews that far too many meetings with externals (that’s you) aren’t as useful as they could be. This course is designed to fix that problem.
In this course you will learn how to map political incentives against institutional constraints, recognise when a policy idea is well developed (and when it is not), and tailor communications to different audiences without diluting substance.
Why should you take this course?
Decisions taken in Whitehall shape how markets function, which social outcomes improve or deteriorate, and whether people are able to live lives of meaning. Much of this happens out of the public spotlight. This course aims to bring you inside the tent.
Led by a former senior civil servant with a decade of experience in major Whitehall departments, the course will demystify how decisions are made, how ministers and officials think, and how external actors can engage effectively to influence outcomes.
The course is focused on practical advice, including using current or past policy pitches as case studies to stress test your policy asks and your engagement approach.
If you want to effectively diagnose policy problems and go into discussions with government informed about the process behind the scenes, this course is for you.
Online training on policy communications
| Commitment: 2 hours per week | Duration: 5 weeks, starting 30th April 2026 |
| Price: £375 GBP (+VAT) | Study Mode: Tutor-guided, online learning |
A module is opened each week on a Wednesday, including the study content and a homework exercise, to be completed at your own pace. There are three live, one-hour teaching sessions (on Google Meet) to join as part of this course, designed to consolidate learning, explore real examples and facilitate discussion. The session times for the next cohort are:
Wednesday 14th May 12pm GMT
Wednesday 28th May 12pm GMT
Wednesday 11th June 12pm GMT
What does the course cover?
Each module includes written material, curated multimedia content, and structured activities. You will complete a mix of homework tasks and worksheets, alongside discussion questions designed to surface different perspectives and challenge assumptions.
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
- Explain how the UK government works in practice, and how power flows through it.
- Understand the lives and decision making of ministers and policy officials.
- Talk to government with a clear grasp of the policy process and how to diagnose policy problems.
- Produce clear, credible policy briefs tailored to different audiences.
- Communicate persuasively with ministers
Want to take this course with your team?
We offer reduced pricing for purchases of 5+ seats. Get in touch for more information.
Please contact us at [email protected] if you have questions about this course.
Your instructor
Andy Ormerod-Cloke
Andy is an experienced public policy leader and consultant with 11 years in central government, followed by a senior role in PwC and now as a founder. His work spans energy, education, modern slavery, housing, business and artificial intelligence, advising across complex political and delivery environments.
His time in government included senior roles across HM Treasury, the Department for Education, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and the Home Office, leading major legislative programmes, market interventions and international policy initiatives.
He is currently the Director and Founder of Citizenry, a human-centric public policy and training consultancy, supporting government departments to more effectively deliver outcomes for the citizens it serves.
Andy holds an Executive Masters in Public Policy with Distinction from the London School of Economics and a degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from the University of Oxford. He also speaks Colombian Spanish, has completed an Ironman and has an undefeated amateur boxing record.
Accessibility statement
If you require additional accommodations or encounter any accessibility barriers, please contact us at [email protected]. We will address any accessibility concerns promptly to ensure an effective, enjoyable learning experience for everyone.