Former Reading Council leader joins DevComms South East

Stakeholder engagement consultancy DevComms has appointed Jason Brock as Associate Director in its South East team, as the business capitalises on growing demand from clients across the built environment sector.

Jason joins DevComms with extensive experience in local government and political engagement. He served as Leader of Reading Council from 2019 to 2024, where he oversaw the unitary authority’s transformation.

During his tenure he delivered a regeneration programme, including one of the town’s biggest council house building schemes, new leisure and cultural facilities, major road resurfacing across the borough and set in motion several long-term projects, including the Minster Quarter Central development.

Since leaving frontline politics, Jason has worked in public affairs and political communications, advising both developers and local authorities.

DevComms South East

The South East team works with clients including; Vistry, Taylor Wimpey, Sainsbury’s, Wrenbridge, Related Argent, West Berkshire Council, Arun District Council and Lovell, across the residential, retail, industrial, regeneration and mixed use sectors.

Comments

Paul Vicary, head of South East at DevComms, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Jason to the team. His first-hand experience of leading a major unitary authority, combined with his subsequent work in public affairs, gives him a rare perspective that will be invaluable to our clients.”

Jason Brock said: “I’m delighted to have joined the DevComms team, which is undoubtedly both the most talented and the nicest group of people I’ve worked with in the sector.

“The experience and political diversity in the team is second to none, and I look forward to working to deliver for clients in an increasingly electorally fragmented environment across local government.”