Milland announced his appointment as director of external affairs last week. It is a newly created executive leadership role that brings together strategic development, stakeholder engagement and public advocacy.
“In line with the CEO’s vision to refocus the Federation externally, this post plays a pivotal role in enhancing PFEW’s national influence, strengthening relationships, and shaping public policy to better serve frontline officers”, according to the Federation.
Milland will act as a key advisor to the organisation’s chief executive and national board on the external environment, long-term strategy and organisational positioning. His remit ranges from leading public affairs to overseeing the development of evidence-based policy.
Milland has joined from Portland, where he was a partner in research and strategy. Prior to that he was a partner at public policy and research consultancy Public First, during which time he spent several months as a special adviser to the Prime Minister on COVID-19 comms during the pandemic.
Milland previously worked in government comms, holding roles such as head of external comms at the Ministry of Justice, head of comms at the Department for Education, and deputy director at the Government Communication Service.
Earlier in his career he spent several years in journalism as a political correspondent and foreign editor at The Express.
He is facing a major challenge in his new role – with the Federation fighting to restore its reputation and regain trust after a series of damaging scandals.
A tribunal in 2023 found that the Federation had discriminated against and victimised members who had previously made claims against the Government after being moved onto pension schemes that reduced benefits. A settlement was reached earlier this year.
And in June the Federation announced it had also settled data protection claims brought by more than 19k members affected by cyber attacks that had compromised its data.
These two cases alone have cost tens of millions to settle. The exact total has not been disclosed but amounts to “under £40m” according to the Federation.
An independent review commissioned by the Federation, which reported earlier this year, called for fundamental reforms of the way it is run. It also needs to become “a more effective campaigning organisation” and its comms function “should be radically overhauled to enable it to articulate and advocate effectively,” the review stated.
Mukund Krishna, the organisation's chief executive, speaking at a Federation event earlier this year, said: “It is important for us to influence the government. We need to have a seat at the table. We need to engage in conversations that they are willing to listen to.” He added: “And when we have that foot in the door is when we can start to talk about and influencing, truly influencing, best possible terms and conditions.”
The Federation recently launched ‘Operation Peridot’, which it describes as “our roadmap to rebuild trust, strengthen representation and put members first”. In an Operation Peridot booklet for members, the organisation states: “We’re making our national voice louder so the public and politicians hear the truth about your job and your challenges.” It adds: “our Communications and Research & Policy teams are being reorganised to maximise our campaigning ability”.
Milland has been tasked with overseeing the implementation of Operation Peridot, and leading the delivery of the Federation’s new strategy, centred on the message of ‘One Federation – Putting Members First’.
His role has the potential to “have a direct and tangible impact on members – through stronger policy advocacy, improved public perception of policing, and more effective representation of officers’ needs and rights”, according to the Federation.