Training the Teal Tide.

I’ve written a piece for Oak Insight about the rapid professionalisation I have seen within Reform UK. In particular in its preparation for the upcoming local elections in England.

In the boardrooms of Britain's leading corporations, political shifts are often viewed as distant noise, until they disrupt supply chains, alter regulations, or unlock new markets. Currently the state of the economy and the sheer volatility of the electorate has meant that they are looking a little more closely, and factoring political risk into much of that thinking. However, perhaps they should instead be considering opportunity as much as they do risk.

Today, that noise is the roar of the Reform Party's rapid ascent. From controlling over £11 billion in local budgets across 10 councils in 2025 to projections of dominating 5-10 more by May 9th, 2026, Reform is no longer a fringe movement. It's a professionalising force reshaping local governance with a pro-business agenda of efficiency, innovation, and fiscal restraint. For executives in sectors like infrastructure, technology, public services, and energy, this isn't just politics, it's a strategic imperative. Ignore it, and your competitors will seize the opportunities. Engage now, and position your firm at the forefront of a low-tax, high-efficiency revolution that could boost your bottom line.

Consider the facts: In May 2025, Reform stunned the establishment by securing outright control of 10 first-tier councils, including Lincolnshire County Council, Derbyshire County Council, Staffordshire County Council, Worcestershire County Council, and Northamptonshire County Council. These weren't inherited machines; they were assembled from scratch by everyday entrepreneurs, professionals, and activists who, mere months prior, hadn't contemplated running for office. Overnight, these teams assumed command of vast operations, managing thousands of employees, overseeing critical services from social care to economic development, and stewarding budgets that collectively exceed £11 billion. The stakes? Real lives, real infrastructure, and real economic impact.

Skeptics predicted chaos, but the data tells a different story. Reform-led councils have delivered tangible results that any CEO would envy: average council tax increases are 2-3% below those of rival parties, achieved through ruthless waste reduction and prioritisation of frontline efficiencies. In Lincolnshire, for instance, streamlined procurement processes have shaved millions off annual spending, freeing funds for infrastructure upgrades that benefit local businesses. Derbyshire's focus on digital transformation has accelerated planning approvals, reducing delays that plague developers. Yes, there were initial hurdles, significant inherited debts across the board, bureaucratic resistance in Staffordshire, coordination snags in Worcestershire, personel problems, and fractious councillors, but these "teething troubles" are being swiftly addressed, turning early lessons into scalable best practices. This isn't the expected amateur hour; it's agile governance in action, mirroring the adaptive strategies that drive corporate success.

Now, amplify that momentum. As of March 2026, Reform boasts 982 councillors and those 10 councils. Conservative estimates forecast a surge: by May 8th's elections, expect upwards of 700 new councillors and control of additional powerhouses like Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Hampshire, Coventry, and Dudley. These aren't speculative; polling data and grassroots mobilisation point to a "teal tide" washing over both rural heartlands and urban centres disillusioned with high-spend incumbents. For executives, this translates to an expanding network of decision-makers aligned with business priorities, lower taxes, reduced red tape, and innovative public-private partnerships.

At the national level, Reform's professionalisation is accelerating. Policy heavyweights like James Orr are crafting a robust agenda, bolstered by cabinet-experienced figures such as Robert Jenrick (former Housing Secretary) and Suella Braverman (ex-Attorney General and Home Secretary). Their expertise in planning reform and regulatory streamlining directly addresses pain points for industries like construction and finance. Internally, strategic hires are fortifying the party: Ben Bradley, former MP and Nottinghamshire County Council leader, brings proven fiscal acumen, while Sir Robin Wales, Labour's long-time Mayor of Newham, infuses cross-partisan wisdom on urban regeneration. The Association of Reform Councillors (ARC) is expanding as a powerhouse support system, ensuring local leaders aren't isolated but empowered.

But the true persuasion lies in Reform's transformed approach to preparation and campaigning, areas where executives can draw direct parallels to corporate talent development and market expansion. Campaigning has evolved into a high-tech operation. Witness the Gorton and Denton by-election: 5,000-6,000 activists, trained on proprietary canvassing software integrating AI-driven voter analytics and real-time data, delivered a landslide. This isn't scattershot enthusiasm; it's precision targeting that rivals CRM systems in Fortune 500 firms. Those activists are now deploying the same tools nationwide, from Scottish highlands to Welsh valleys, contesting over 4,000 seats in May. The ROI? A battle-tested network ready to govern effectively from day one.

Even more compelling is Reform's pivot to leadership training, a first in my 24 years alongside Nigel Farage. No longer content with winning elections, the party is prepping candidates for executive-level roles in local government. I observed this firsthand at a Reform-LGA event, where councillors from counties, districts, and boroughs underwent intensive sessions led by professional trainers and seasoned Reform veterans. The curriculum? Executive essentials: team-building to unify diverse groups, leadership strategies for high-stakes decisions, media training and a mentoring program for rapid knowledge transfer across sectors.

Participants were drilled on real-world challenges: collaborating with council officers and directors to drive efficiencies; negotiating with trade unions to modernise services without disruption; and mastering procurement to foster innovation. Reform's vision, efficient, responsive, low-tax councils, demands this rigour. By identifying leaders early and assigning cabinet roles based on expertise (e.g., finance pros handling budgets, educators overseeing schools), the party minimises transition risks. Mentors from 2025's wins provide on-the-ground support, ensuring new administrations avoid pitfalls and accelerate value creation. The dividend? Councils primed for bold innovations, like AI-optimised systems in partnership with tech firms or modular housing initiatives with builders, opportunities that could generate millions in contracts for forward-thinking companies.

For executives, the implications are crystal clear: Reform's professionalisation creates a fertile ecosystem for business growth. These councils prioritise outcomes over ideology, seeking innovative solutions that deliver taxpayer value. In existing Reform strongholds, early adopters are reaping rewards, think IT providers digitising services in Northamptonshire. Post-May, with expanded control, expect a boom in tenders for efficient services: waste management optimised by data analytics, transport upgrades via public-private ventures, and economic development zones attracting investment.

The risk of inaction? Competitors forging alliances while your firm navigates outdated bureaucracies in non-Reform areas. Higher taxes and slower approvals could erode margins, especially in a sluggish economy. Conversely, proactive engagement yields strategic advantages: Attend Reform business and council events to network with emerging leaders; tailor pitches to Reform's efficiency ethos; and pilot innovations in current councils to scale post-election.

Executives, this is your wake-up call. The teal tide isn't a wave to weather, it's a current to harness. By May 9th, Reform could command budgets rivaling mid-cap corporations, all with a mandate for business-friendly reform. Start building bridges today: analyse Reform manifestos, engage with councillors, and position your offerings as enablers of their vision. In an era of economic uncertainty, aligning with efficient governance isn't optional, it's essential for sustained profitability. The professionalised Reform Party is here; ensure your business is ready to thrive alongside it.