New data: Public affairs brain-drain on the horizon as two-thirds plan to quit

• Skills shortages set to grow as six in ten public affairs professionals plan to quit by summer
• Delivery, digital and data fluency skills in high demand, but short supply

Public affairs professionals are the most unsettled group in the strategic communications workforce, with almost two-thirds (63%) planning to change roles within the next six months. That’s according to the latest ‘Strategic Communications Report 2026’, produced by specialist recruitment firm Murray McIntosh.

The report - based on a survey of over 3,200 strategic communications professionals - revealed that the number of public affairs professionals planning to change roles within the next six months far surpasses levels reported by their policy and corporate communications peers.

This restlessness is being driven by increasing pressures within the function, including a constantly evolving regulatory landscape, heightened scrutiny, limited progression opportunities, and widening skills gaps, all of which are reshaping these professionals' expectations and mobility.

Skills shortages emerging across the market

The impact of this exodus of talent is set to be exacerbated by growing skills shortages. In public affairs, the most significant deficit cited by employers is delivery capability, with 27% reporting difficulty finding professionals who can design, execute and evidence effective campaigns. Demand is also rising for skills in digital fluency, ESG, data literacy and stakeholder management, all of which are already in short supply across public affairs and other job functions.

As Lauren Maddocks, Associate Director, Policy and Public Affairs at Murray McIntosh explains, the remit could face losing critical resources at a pivotal moment for the public affairs:

“What our findings make clear is that public affairs professionals are operating in one of the most volatile environments in the strategic communications landscape. With nearly two‑thirds planning to move roles in the next six months, organisations are facing an unprecedented level of talent mobility at the very moment regulatory pressures, public scrutiny and skills demands are intensifying.

“The widening gap between what the market needs and the capabilities available, particularly around campaign delivery, digital fluency and data literacy, highlights an urgent need for employers to rethink how they attract, retain and develop their public affairs teams. Those that succeed in the months ahead will be the organisations that modernise their talent strategies, prioritising capability building, career development and a more agile approach to resourcing.”



Press contact:
Rachel Williams
rachel@bluesky-pr.com
01582 790090