H/Advisors Cicero was appointed as American Express’ (AMEX) retained public affairs agency in 2018 to deliver public policy campaigns and Parliamentary engagement. The retainer followed a successful Parliamentary reception organised by Cicero on Small Business Saturday to showcase AMEX’s work on improving the business environment for smaller businesses.

Our work is focused on four financial services policy pillars to identify future risks or opportunities that may arise. Cicero continues to support AMEX by promoting their work with small businesses, notably their ‘Shop Small’ campaign and their support for ‘Small Business Saturday’.

Cicero provides day-to-day support to AMEX’s Government Relations function, tracking financial services policy, political developments and key stakeholders for the business to engage with. On policy, Cicero ensures that AMEX is kept abreast of developments in the financial services landscape, identifying areas which may impact the business and key stakeholders. Cicero also provides AMEX with event support, ensuring those with political stakeholders run smoothly and identifying speaking opportunities for senior AMEX Executives.

AMEX has made significant progress across its four financial services policy pillars, building relationships with key stakeholders in HM Treasury and making representations to mitigate any potential risk to the business.

Cicero continues to support AMEX with its Small Business Saturday and Shop Small events, alongside other events on small business support. In September 2023, Cicero organised a successful roundtable with Shadow Small Business Minister Seema Malhotra with ten business representatives.