Consultancy Assignments
Harlow Council (2024)
Supported the transition of the Communications Team from a transactional function to a more strategic and effective level. Worked with the Team and other colleagues to help make the Council’s recently agreed communications strategy the sole focus of communications activities.
Introduced, embedded, and coached approach to devising and implementing effective communications campaigns, aligned with corporate objectives in both the corporate and communications strategies.
Greater Manchester Combined Authority (2023)
GMCA’s Education, Skills, and Work Directorate was looking to develop a narrative for its work and key aims and objectives, for use with external and internal stakeholders.
Worked closely with the Director to co-devise the narrative, distilling key messages and providing challenge and advice on draft and final versions.
East Hampshire District Council (2023-2024)
Reviewed the communications function and its roles, and as a result recommended improvements to increase both individual and team effectiveness. These recommendations have been, and are being, implemented. Since completing this work I have been, and still am, providing ongoing coaching support to the Communications Manager.
Devised the Council’s communications strategy, aligned with corporate objectives, to provide strategic direction and priorities for communications activities and campaigns, in conjunction with the Communications Manager.
Mid Ulster District Council (2022)
Reviewed the Council’s complaints performance, which was under-performing, and procedure, which was neither clear nor consistent at the time.
Produced reports and ran workshops to introduce changes to improve customer service and organisational performance, and bring in a simplified procedure for the future.
Antrim and Newtownabbey Council (2020)
Reviewed communications and customers functions, strategies, and services, so that they aligned with corporate objectives and improved performance. Devised communications and marketing strategy framework to achieve maximum impact.
Advised on changes to improve customer service and design, which delivered more customer focused services across the Council. Devised a customer services strategy and a more streamlined and customer focused complaints procedure.
West Yorkshire Combined Authority (2015)
Devised and implemented review of communications functions to combine and integrate services to create a new service, improving performance both within the organisation and across the city region. Audited existing skills across teams to assess compatibility with current and future requirements.
Devised and wrote new communications strategy to align with the pursuit and achievement of organisational objectives.
Kirklees Council (2015 and 2016)
Devised and implemented a project in Children's Services to increase recruitment of foster carers. Reviewed and updated processes at every level, including recruitment marketing, which improved and increased both customer focus and overall performance.
Led review of contact service in Children's Services, working closely with existing teams, during period of great instability. Improved service offered to young people subject to care proceedings, and staff processes, and achieved cost savings.
Interim Roles
Ashfield District Council - Communications Support Manager (2023-2024)
Introduced a more strategic approach to communications, aligned with corporate objectives, including a revised communications strategy and key campaigns. Coached and worked directly with members of the Communications Team, line managing the Communications Manager, through a challenging period of transition.
Devised a learning and development plan for members of the Communications Team to improve both personal and team effectiveness.
Cherwell District Council – Head of Communications and Marketing (2022)
Led, directed, and managed the Communications and Marketing Team through a period of transition following the end of the Council’s partnership with the county council.
Supported team members in adapting to different circumstances while continuing to provide a high quality service to elected members and colleagues. Also reviewed, restructured, and recruited new members of team to fill service gaps and maintain and improve performance.
Updated and implemented communications priorities to meet requirements of Council’s Business and Annual Delivery Plans.
Antrim and Newtownabbey Council - Director of Communications and Customers (2021)
Led, directed, and managed the Communications and Customers Team of 15, including media relations, marketing, digital communications, internal communications, consultation, and design functions. Reporting to the Chief Executive, worked with elected members, and was a member of the Corporate Leadership Team.
Updated and implemented communications strategy and priorities to meet requirements of Corporate Recovery Plan and corporate priorities in response to effects of COVID 19. Reviewed and restructured team to improve performance and support Council priorities. Revised and implemented customers strategy in light of learning from COVID 19 to make it easier for customers to access and benefit from Council services.
South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority - Head of Communications and Marketing (2019)
Re-designed and restructured Communications and Marketing Team to improve services and performance. Led, directed, and managed the team, working to the elected Mayor and for the Chief Executive. Reviewed and improved the focus and quality of communications services to help deliver the Mayor’s agenda. Led on successful recruitment of permanent Head of Communications and Marketing.
Devised and recommended key strategies and actions to create new combined and integrated Communications and Marketing service, bringing together and maximising resources of both SCR and the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive.
Institution of Occupational Safety and Health - Director of Communications and Marketing (2017-2019, interim and permanent)
Devised and led the successful launch of WORK 2022, IOSH's five year global strategy, in under three months, achieving both international coverage and internal recognition.
Reviewed and re-designed Communications service, improving performance and providing greater focus on corporate priorities. Successfully led, directed and managed Communications Team during time of change. Member of Senior Leadership Team, directing and implementing organisational transformation programme.
Wakefield Council - Head of Communications and Customers (2010-2014, interim and permanent)
Brought in as interim to devise and implement Communications Review and improve performance during period of significant financial challenges. Designed and created integrated council-wide Communications Service, saving £200K.
Improved range and quality of services available to internal and external customers. Directed and led team of 90 responsible for external and internal communications, marketing, customer services, strategic partnerships, and policy.