Public Affairs & Communications

Based in Scotland, we specialise in government and public affairs, communications and crisis management.

Linco offers bespoke services to suit you and your organisation.

Linco links your organisation to the experts you need to get results. 

Communications

Are you making an impact? Leveraging strategic communication expertise to help you engage with your audience and break through the 24-hour news cycle, across print, online, digital and broadcast media, Linco can also provide counsel for when the unexpected happens, and guide you step by step to protect your reputation.

Government & Public Affairs

Do you want to build relationships with decision-makers? Using our in-depth knowledge of the political landscape to provide you with the advice you need, we know how government works and how you and your organisation can make an impact. Whether your aim is to better understand how legislation affects you, engage with political representatives or increase your profile, Linco can help.

Media Training

Would you benefit from some media training before stepping in front of the camera? Do you want to build contacts in journalism and broadcast media? Could your press team benefit from training and strategic direction? Let us know what you need and we can tailor a package of support to suit you.

Catriona Matheson founded Linco in 2023 to offer public affairs and communications services following a career in politics in Holyrood, Westminster and Brussels. 

In 2025, Linco joined the Connect Group, a leading UK and Ireland agency, hugely enhancing Linco and Connect’s offer to clients.

Based in Edinburgh, Linco provides advice and support to clients in Scotland, the UK and beyond, across the public, corporate and charity sectors. 

Our Story

Catriona Matheson,
Director

Catriona has gained a wealth of experience working in Scottish, UK and European politics. In 2015 she was promoted to Head of Communications for the SNP in the UK Parliament following the landslide win of 56 MPs, later becoming Chief of Staff to the SNP Westminster Leader. 

Catriona returned to Scotland, becoming a Special Adviser to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in the Scottish Government with responsibility for economic policy.

A graduate of the University of Glasgow and the University of Sydney, Australia, Catriona is an Ambassador for the Scottish Business Network and a Trustee of The David Hume Institute.

Laura Blake,
Partner and Co-Owner, Connect Group

Laura offers senior counsel to clients across the Connect Group and is chair of the Linco board. She brings over 20 years experience of advising clients across the public, private and charitable sectors.

Innes Taylor,
Senior Counsel

Innes has advised politicians in Holyrood and Westminster, most recently as a Special Adviser in No10 Downing Street. 

Having started her career as a Researcher in the Scottish Parliament, she moved to Westminster in 2018 and became Head of Policy for the Conservative Party. Following a stint as a Special Adviser in the Department for Education, Innes returned to Scotland to write the Scottish Conservative Manifesto for the 2021 Scottish Election. In 2022 she rejoined the UK Government, advising Rishi Sunak on policy relating to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and gaining an unparalleled insight into the internal workings of government. 

James started his journalism career with The Sunday Post in Glasgow and spent 15 years writing about the Westminster and Holyrood parliaments. As The Sunday Post’s Westminster correspondent he covered general elections, Scottish elections and the referendums of 2014 and 2016 and interviewed figures from across the political spectrum and globe.
His work with Linco and Connect is focussed on media where he provides strategic media advice and training to clients as well as securing effective coverage to reach relevant audiences.

He presented and produced The Sunday Post Politics Podcast, The Brexit Breakdown podcast for the UK in a Changing Europe and launched and exec produced the award-winning series, A Podcast of One’s Own with Julia Gillard, for The Global Institute for Women’s Leadership. He is also the author of two books: The Gender Agenda (JKP 2017) and Dads Don’t Babysit (Ortus 2018).

James Millar,
Senior Counsel (Media)

Rob Fraser,
Account Manager

Rob is an experienced public affairs and political advisor who has worked with organisations to develop successful engagement strategies and deliver award-winning campaigns. He has worked for a range of clients across sectors including health, education and energy, and has led Scottish engagement programmes from Westminster. Prior to joining Connect Group, Rob worked in management roles at Tesco. He has previously worked with local authorities to deliver Scottish Parliament and local elections and sits on the PRCA NextGen Committee supporting early-career public affairs professionals.

Get in Touch

Contact Us

Drop us an email or fill out the enquiry form to find out more or to set up an introductory chat.

6 Waterloo Place
Edinburgh
EH1 3EG