Nikki da Costa

Nikki works with clients on policy, political and regulatory issues in the UK. She is an experienced consultant and influential commentator on politics, legislation and parliament. She works part time for Flint.

Nikki served as Director of Legislative Affairs in No 10 for two Prime Ministers – Theresa May and Boris Johnson. Valued for her legislative understanding and reputation built over years in the Opposition Whips Office, she was the first person to hold this role.

Under Theresa May, Nikki helped deliver the Government’s Brexit and domestic legislative programme during the hung Parliament. After leaving Downing Street in November 2018, she appeared regularly as a commentator on Radio 4’s Today Programme, BBC News, Channel 4 and Sky, and as a columnist with the Daily Telegraph and the Spectator. Boris Johnson brought Nikki back to No 10 to help chart a way through the parliamentary deadlock on Brexit and to secure a General Election. During the pandemic, returning from maternity leave, Nikki helped the Government advance its domestic legislation through the challenges of a virtual parliament.

Before working in Government, building on a long career in the public affairs industry, Nikki ran her own business coaching and developing public affairs practitioners.

Nikki has twice been named one of the top 100 Women in Westminster. In 2019 she was recognised as the Most Inspirational Woman in Public Affairs, and in 2013 the Sunday Times and Management Today named her one of the UK’s top “35 women under 35”.