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We're more than an agency. We're change makers.
Zhiai Xiong

Zhiai Xiong

Account Manager (Planning)
Zhiai joined Cratus in 2025 as an Account Manager in the London Planning team, bringing with her experience in local government engagement in London.
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Before joining Cratus, Zhiai worked as a Public Affairs Consultant, advising clients across sectors including the built environment, transport, and energy. She led political engagement at the local, regional, and national levels.

Zhiai also has experience in frontline politics. She previously served as a Policy Caseworker for a Liberal Democrat MP and is currently a member of the Wandsworth Liberal Democrats’ Public Affairs Working Group, as well as the 2026 Local Elections Campaign Strategy Team in southwest London.

She is passionate about the intersection of politics, housing, development, and the environment.

Zhiai holds a Master’s degree in Comparative Politics (Political Economy) from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Our team

Meet our change makers.

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Charlie Murphy
Account Manager (Planning)
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Charlotte Platten
Director (Local Government Affairs)
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Chris Tinker
Non-Executive Director
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Dan Humphreys
Managing Director (Public Affairs)
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Duncan Flynn
Senior Director (Planning)
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Harriet Shone
Senior Director (Public Sector)
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Imogen Spencer-Dale
Account Director (Communities and Placemaking)
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Jenny Cooper
Associate Director (Communities and Placemaking)
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Joanna Christophides
Director (London Planning)
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Julian Seymour
Chief Executive Officer
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Kim Heilbron
Financial Controller & Company Secretary
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Louise Hingley
Associate Director (Planning)
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Matt Spencer
Account Director (Planning)
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Mimi Harker OBE
Campaigns and Forums Manager
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Mona Xue
Account Manager (Corporate Communications & Public Affairs)
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Nick Kilby
Executive Chairman
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Nicola Richards
Director (Public Affairs)
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Nicole Kasumu
Account Executive (Public Affairs)
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Peter Banks
Marketing and Operations Director
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Robert Delaney
Client Finance Controller
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Rosie Colcomb
Account Executive (Planning)
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Samantha Carmichael
Account Director (Public Affairs)
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Sami Chakchouk
Account Manager (Communities and Placemaking)
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Sarah McKee
Managing Director (Corporate Communications & Communities)
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Sydney Kwok
Senior Account Executive
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Toby Davis
Account Director (National Government Engagement – Public Affairs)
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Vanessa Mclean
Finance Assistant
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Zhiai Xiong
Account Manager (Planning)
Insights lab

Latest news and insights

Nigel Farage’s 30% Strategy
13.02.26
Nigel Farage’s 30% Strategy
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New industry podcast series: Planning After Dark
09.02.26
Talking Isn’t Delivering: Planning, Power and the Problem with Perfection
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International Women’s Day 2026: Tracking Progress for Women in the Built Environment
09.02.26
International Women’s Day 2026: Tracking Progress for Women in the Built Environment
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It's crunch time in Surrey
07.02.26
It’s crunch time in Surrey
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Meet the Leader with Cllr Rob Waltham MBE
06.02.26
Meet the Leader with Cllr Rob Waltham MBE
Podcast
Meet the Leader with Cllr Steve Pitt
29.01.26
Meet the Leader with Cllr Steve Pitt
Podcast
Politics is a People Business
29.01.26
Politics is a People Business
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The Local Government Association proposes cutting itself back. Councils should be asking, “who benefits?”
23.01.26
The Local Government Association proposes cutting itself back. Councils should be asking, “who be...
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