our teamAxis Advisors brings together an exceptional group of leaders and practitioners with deep experience across government, business, consulting, media and technology.
Partners
The partners bring experience from the highest levels of public affairs, business, government, consulting and media, including building and leading major public affairs advisory businesses and senior corporate affairs functions.
Sebastian Vos
Before Axis
Before founding Axis Advisors, Sebastian led the global public affairs practices at FGS and at Covington. He was also a partner at FIPRA and, earlier in his career, worked at Freshfields, with early roles at Goldman Sachs and the European Commission. He was a Fulbright Scholar at Johns Hopkins SAIS in Washington DC and studied law at Utrecht University.
At Axis
Sebastian helps shape the firm’s strategy, positioning, and growth. He advises clients on high-stakes political, regulatory, and reputational issues, with a focus on competition, trade, geopolitics, technology regulation, and corporate reputation. His work often sits at the intersection of legal, political, and commercial considerations, helping clients anticipate change, shape outcomes, and deliver impact.
Beyond Axis
Sebastian enjoys making music with his children, photography, good food, and spending time in nature with friends and family.
CEO | MANAGING PARTNER
Claire Boussagol
Before Axis
Before joining Axis Advisors, Claire built a distinguished career spanning public affairs, strategic communications and European media. She spent over 25 years at APCO Worldwide, including as President for Europe, advising multinational companies and organisations on complex political, regulatory and reputational challenges. She subsequently served as CEO of POLITICO Europe and Managing Director of Euractiv, bringing her deep understanding of European politics, media and the Brussels policy environment to senior leadership roles.
At Axis
Claire advises clients on political, regulatory and reputational challenges at the intersection of business, policy, media and public opinion. She brings expertise in European affairs, strategic communications, public affairs, corporate reputation and organisational transformation, helping clients navigate change, build influence and engage effectively with decision-makers.
Beyond Axis
Claire enjoys spending time with family and friends, discovering new restaurants, listening to good music, travelling and reading about politics and geopolitics.
PARTNER
Before Axis
Before joining Axis Advisors, Julia built a distinguished career in European public affairs, establishing Fleishman Hillard’s Brussels presence and later leading its European public affairs business. In 2003, she co-founded Blueprint Partners, building it into a leading independent public affairs consultancy before its acquisition by FTI Consulting, where she subsequently served as Global Head of Public Affairs and Government Relations. With more than 30 years of experience, Julia has advised boards and senior leaders across sectors on complex political, regulatory and reputational challenges.
At Axis
Julia advises clients on high-stakes political, regulatory and reputational issues, bringing deep expertise in public affairs strategy, government relations, stakeholder engagement and board-level counsel. She helps businesses navigate complexity, anticipate political change and build strategies that deliver influence and impact.
Beyond Axis
Julia was a founding board member of The Women’s Forum for Economy and Society and currently serves on the boards of ExpectAI and EIES the European Initiative for Energy Security. She loves theatre, reading and hiking in lonely places.
PARTNERJulia Harrison
Before Axis
Before joining Axis Advisors, Michelle led Global Public Affairs and Stakeholder Engagement at Volvo Cars and EU Government Affairs at Apple. Over more than 25 years, she has advised senior leaders and led complex public affairs and corporate affairs programmes across technology, automotive, consumer and industrial sectors, including at Mars, Honeywell, Ingersoll Rand and HP. She has also worked at the American Chamber of Commerce to the EU and sat on its board.
At Axis
Michelle advises clients on political, regulatory and reputational challenges where business strategy and public policy intersect. She brings particular expertise in technology, trade, sustainability, mobility, geopolitical risk and business transformation, helping companies anticipate change, navigate disruption and build high-performing stakeholder strategies.
Beyond Axis
Michelle is passionate about mentoring emerging leaders and building inclusive organisations. She enjoys swimming, scuba diving, yoga and travelling with her family.
PARTNERMichelle B. O’Neill
Nikos Stathopoulos
Before Axis
Nikos held senior roles at FIPRA, leading complex, multimarket projects for clients with teams of up to 120 consultants and a focus on market entry and development strategies. He also served in general management and international exansion roles on the leadership teams of three micromobility scale-ups, ofo, Dott, and Zoomo. A dual Greek-US national, Nikos completed his BA at the University of Michigan and earned his MBA from the Wharton School.
At Axis
Nikos combines policy expertise with hands-on business and operating experience, helping clients connect regulatory and political realities to commercial strategy. He works closely with companies navigating complex, multimarket environments, to deliver practical, actionable solutions to their challenges. As Axis’ COO, Nikos runs the firm’s day-to-day operations.
Beyond Axis
A lifelong athlete, Nikos is an advocate for physical and mental wellbeing, and a self-professed cinephile.
COO | PARTNERAssociate Partners
Our associate partners bring decades of senior specialist experience across government, business, media and technology, providing clients with deep expertise and trusted perspectives.
Arthur Storm Teglbjærg
Before Axis
Arthur Storm Teglbjærg is co-founder and CEO of Spaak Technologies, an AI company building technology specifically for public affairs. He has helped scale Spaak internationally and brings entrepreneurial experience at the intersection of technology and policy.
At Axis
Arthur brings expertise in artificial intelligence, technology and public affairs through Axis AI and the partnership with Spaak Technologies.
Beyond Axis
Arthur is a committed triathlete, bringing endurance, focus and discipline to his work.
ASSOCIATE PARTNER
Catherine Stewart
Before Axis
Catherine Stewart is one of Europe’s most respected public affairs figures, with more than four decades of experience in European government relations for which she received a Lifetime Achievement award. She founded Cabinet Stewart in 1990 and helped build Interel into an international public affairs business, later continuing that work through Dentons Global Advisors. She cofounded SEAP, the professional association to uphold standards and best practise in public affairs.
At Axis
Catherine advises clients on European government relations, stakeholder engagement and public affairs strategy.
Beyond Axis
Catherine supports the development of the public affairs profession and future leaders and mentors women in business. She promotes understanding of autism, enjoys opera, yoga and spending time in Italy.
ASSOCIATE PARTNER
Erika Mann
Before Axis
Erika Mann brings more than 25 years of experience in European policy, trade and technology. She served for 15 years as a Member of the European Parliament, focusing on trade, technology, research and digital policy. She later helped establish and led Facebook’s Brussels office, serving as the company’s lead representative on EU affairs.
At Axis
Erika advises clients on European policy, trade, technology and digital regulation, transatlantic relations and engagement with EU institutions.
Beyond Axis
Erika loves traveling to wild places. She’s a policy and technology nerd.
ASSOCIATE PARTNER
Before Axis
Lord Francis Maude brings extensive experience at the highest levels of UK government, politics, public sector reform and business. He served as Minister for Europe, Minister for the Cabinet Office, and Minister of State for Trade and Investment. He also chaired the Conservative Party and held senior roles in the private sector, including at Morgan Stanley.
At Axis
Francis advises clients on political strategy, government engagement, public sector reform, trade and investment.
Beyond Axis
Francis loves spending time with his children and grandchildren, and enjoys – sometimes! – watching Tottenham Hotspur FC.
ASSOCIATE PARTNERLord Francis Maude
Before Axis
Karl-Emil Plum is co-founder of Spaak Technologies, an AI-native public affairs technology company.
At Axis
Karl-Emil brings expertise in artificial intelligence, technology and the transformation of public affairs through Axis AI and the partnership with Spaak Technologies.
Beyond Axis
Karl enjoys spending time in the great outdoors and is a keen sportsman.
Associate partnerKarl-Emil Plum
Before Axis
Sir Michael Leigh brings exceptional experience in European and international affairs. He served for over three decades at the European Commission, including as Director-General. He is Academic Director of European Public Policy and Senior Adjunct Professor at Johns Hopkins University SAIS Europe.
At Axis
Sir Michael advises clients on European political and geopolitical developments, EU institutions and the wider strategic environment shaping Europe.
Beyond Axis
Sir Michael has a strong interest in foresight analysis, scenario building, mentoring and coaching. He travels frequently in Asia and Latin America for business and pleasure.
Associate partnerSir Michael Leigh
Peter Selfridge
Before Axis
Peter Selfridge brings senior experience spanning three decades across diplomacy, government, global business and technology. He served as Deputy Assistant to the President in the White House and as U.S. Chief of Protocol during the Obama Administration with the rank of Ambassador. He later spent almost a decade at SAP, including as Global Head of Government and Public Affairs, advising on government engagement, technology policy and international issues.
At Axis
Peter advises clients on geopolitical strategy, government engagement and complex issues spanning business, technology and public policy.
Beyond Axis
An avid reader, explorer and sports aficionado, Peter dedicates his free time to traveling with his family and reading the latest historical fiction – that is, when he's not glued to the sports pages.
ASSOCIATE PARTNER
Simon Wilson
Before Axis
Simon Wilson has had a multi-decade career at the top of BBC International News. He served as Bureau Chief in Jerusalem, Washington and Brussels and held senior editorial leadership roles in London, including Regional Editor for the BBC World Service’s Europe and Americas region. In 2007, he was selected for a prestigious Nieman journalism fellowship at Harvard University.
At Axis
Simon advises clients on strategic communications, media engagement, reputation and geopolitical risk.
Beyond Axis
Simon and his wife Ulrike have four Anglo German daughters and, after a lifetime on the move, have settled in southern England. When not obsessing about English football, he is a keen skier, hiker and cinephile.
ASSOCIATE PARTNER