Katie Perrior is a British public relations specialist and columnist for The Times. She worked as a political advisor at 10 Downing Street under Theresa May and previously for Boris Johnson and David Davis.

Katie Perrior
Downing Street Director of Communications
In office
July 2016 – May 2017
Prime MinisterTheresa May
Preceded byCraig Oliver
Succeeded byRobbie Gibb
Personal details
NationalityBritish
OccupationPR advisor • columnist

Life and career

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Perrior is co-founder and Chair of Westminster-based lobbying and public relations firm iNHouse Communications.[1] She previously served as a Conservative Campaign Headquarters staffer and advised Theresa May when she served as Party Chairman in the early 2000s. She later worked for David Davis during his time as Shadow Home Secretary and Boris Johnson's 2008 mayoral campaign.[2][3]

In 2016, Perrior became Director of Communications at 10 Downing Street under Theresa May.[4] She undertook the role following her appointment by May, and succeeded Craig Oliver who had worked as Communications Director under David Cameron.[5]

Perrior said that 'trouser-gate' was "avoidable" had Theresa May's aide, Fiona Hill, not forced May to wear them for her interview in Number 10 for the Sunday Times.[6]

Perrior resigned from her post on 18 April 2017 following the announcement of a snap general election, saying her office was "pretty dysfunctional".[7] A number of months later The Guardian disclosed that Perrior had been paid £15,000 less than men for same role.[8]

In August 2018, Total Politics reported Perrior criticising Boris Johnson's comments on the burka:[9]

The Boris I know is liberal and respectful of all different communities. He loves the great melting point that is London and recognises what diverse cultures bring to our capital city. I regret he made these comments because I think they are divisive at a time when tensions are already high even though I am no fan of the burka.

Perior was a guest on The News Quiz on BBC Radio 4 in January[10] and May 2019,[11] and January 2022:[12] she has also appeared on Politics Live and Good Morning Britain.

Perrior lives in Sidcup in the London Borough of Bexley, where she was a local Conservative Party Councillor in the early 2000s.

In 2022, Perrior appointed former Labour MP, Luciana Berger, as Managing Director at iNHouse Communications.[13]

References

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  1. ^ "Katie Perrior". PRWeek UK Power Book 2022. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  2. ^ Singleton, David. "PR boss Katie Perrior is Theresa May's top spin doctor". Total Politics. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  3. ^ Perrior, Katie. "iNHouse Director Katie Perrior comments on Boris opting for Brexit in PR Week". iNHouse Communications. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  4. ^ Singleton, David. "Perrior takes No 10 comms job". Public Affairs News. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  5. ^ Wallace, Mark (15 July 2016). "Meet the new team at Number Ten". Conservative Home. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  6. ^ "Theresa May 'forced to wear £995 leather trousers by senior aide'". The Independent. 15 July 2017. Retrieved 25 May 2019.
  7. ^ Mason, Rowena; Asthana, Anushka (10 June 2017). "Theresa May's 'rude, abusive and childish' advisers face calls to quit". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
  8. ^ correspondent, Peter Walker Political (14 December 2017). "Woman in key No 10 role paid £15,000 less than men for same job". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 25 June 2019. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  9. ^ "Boris Johnson manages to get attacked by his former PR adviser". TotalPolitics.com. 8 August 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
  10. ^ "Series 98, Episode 4". The News Quiz. BBC Radio 4. 18 January 2019. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  11. ^ "Series 99, Episode 4". The News Quiz. BBC Radio 4. 3 May 2019. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  12. ^ "Series 107, Episode 2". The News Quiz. BBC Radio 4. 7 January 2022. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  13. ^ "iNHouse appoints former Labour MP as chief executive". www.prweek.com. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
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Government offices
Preceded by Downing Street Director of Communications
2016–2017
Succeeded by