UK — James Purnell was appointed as chief of staff to Andy Burnham and formally severed all ties with his former company, Flint Global. Purnell has given up his shares in Flint Global and no longer has any connection to the company.

Purnell, the former chief executive of Flint Global, no longer has access to the company's emails or systems. A Burnham team spokesperson stated that Purnell departed Flint and would have no ongoing financial interest in the company. "James has left Flint. He will have no ongoing financial interest in the company of any kind," a Burnham team spokesperson said, adding that any future conflicts of interest would be managed.

A Flint spokesperson said Purnell resigned and had recused himself from all client activity. "James's decision to join Burnham's team is entirely his own, and one we fully respect," a Flint spokesperson said. The spokesperson also said that an "unambiguous decision was taken as a matter of principle" to ensure complete separation between Purnell and the company upon his appointment.

Purnell addressed staff in a message, stating, "I am still finalising details with the Flint board but the story is basically correct and I am likely to be leaving shortly." He also told staff, "We will make sure there is plenty of time for handover over the next few days and we will hold a team meeting as soon as possible." Purnell described Flint as a "wonderful organisation and culture," and said he had learned a great deal and looked forward to staying in touch. He added that he would miss the staff and looked forward to watching them "continue to flourish."

Flint Global advises international businesses on policy, politics, regulation, and competition. Transparency records show the company advised BP, Apple, Amazon, Jaguar Land Rover, and Uber. On the E.U. transparency register, Flint Global's clients include Google, Microsoft, and Glencore. Apple was the company's largest client in Europe in the last year with available data, paying over €1 million. Flint Global has two entries as a registered lobbyist for contacts with government ministers or officials on behalf of companies in the past five years. Flint Global is majority-owned by private equity firm Cinven and owned through a holding company based in Jersey.

Flint Global has advised Thames Water and some of its bondholders. Andy Burnham has advocated for the nationalization of Thames Water, stating that public ownership of all water companies is "absolutely an option."