Gail Cohen Email & Phone Number

Hastings, Gb

Strategic advisor

Hove, England, United Kingdom

Working with the fantastic #Tillo team on the development and delivery of the #Tillo Connect’ event and networking programme and more. Loving every minute 🙏🏼

I was the Director General of the Gift Card and Voucher Association (GCVA) – from 2015 - 2023. The organisation and industry has grown and changed exponentially during this time and under my leadership with c100 members. My role was to lead the association develop strategy and set direction with the executive group, ensuring it represented its members and the industry across all key areas including: PR and media to raise the profile and value of the sector with key decision makers, consumers & stakeholders; liaison and advocacy with government, law commission and other key partners; introducing new services to assist members and add value to consumers; provide discussion, debate and networking opportunities; providing insight, research and up to date information and news. During the last 8 years - the GCVA conference has become the biggest global industry event; the annual Hall of Fame Awards has become the key glamour and recognition event of the year. GCVA Connect launched during lockdown has ensured an enhanced and continued digital programme of events, updates, forums and discussion to all members and wider industry Gail works closely with the sector, UK, Europe, USA & internationally and with GCVA’s members to continually improve, develop and grow the services, the offer and benefits to members and the wider industry.

Victoria

Find a Future is the organisation that brings together WorldSkills UK Skills Competitions, The Skills Show and The Skills Show Experience, providing every young person the chance to unlock their potential and get excited about the world of work. Through hands-on experiential activities and skills competitions Find a Future helps shape their futures and transform their lives.The Skills Show is the UK’s largest annual skills and careers event, held at the NEC Birmingham, attracting over 75,000 young people, parents and teachers. .My role was responsible for developing and implementing the vision, brand and overall strategy for the organisation. This included developing and leading the team to achieve £2m income; the planning, production and delivery of the overall show and product content and activities as well as increasing awareness and engagement and delivering the visitor acquisition, audience and partner engagement strategy. I led 4 teams, totalling around 25 staff: marketing, communications/PR, (including digital) content and experience, commercial development, Stakeholder and Government relations.In addition, I was responsible for developing launches, campaigns and activities throughout the year including The Skills Show Experience, a series of events and pop-up activity across the UK. I also developed a partnership with National Express, where we toured key cities in the UK with a specifically designed coach to provide hands on experiences to reach and inspire young people across the country.

I worked as a consultant on a number of great projects:UK Jewish Film - creation and introduction of a new membership scheme; branding and marketing consultancyOpen City Documentary Film Festival - brand development, communications strategy and commercial plan.FilmAid International - uses the power of film and video to reach the world's most vulnerable communities. I was working with them on developing a business plan and commercial development including organising events.E-ACT is a leading education sponsor. production and delivery of a new corporate video.

Responsible for leading and delivering the marketing, communications and audience strategy for the BFI. I created and led a new marketing and communications function with the key objectives of raising brand awareness and increasing engagement of the BFI and its products through all channels. Developed a new audience development strategy, focussing on acquisition, retention and loyalty and led a new press and media partnership strategy successfully raising the profile of the BFI across the full range of media helping achieve challenging income targets - 2011 broke all records. Managed the corporate communications function responsible for government relations, stakeholder & industry engagement, public affairs and internal communications.A re-design and launch of the BFI membership scheme achieved 350k additional income and 75% retention; and was the first film organisation to become eligible for gift aid; I introduced a new customer relationship management system (CRM) and formed a new digital marketing team. Working closely with the fundraising team helping position and develop fundraising campaigns and working closely with corporate partners and donors including American Express. Rescue the Hitchcock 9 campaign (a project to restore the nine silent Hitchcock films) has so far received over £1m. I led a number of campaigns and initiatives including: BFI London film Festival and Lesbian and Gay Film Festival; Film Fundays, family focussed screenings and interactive workshops; Future Film Festival and Future Film Club reaching 15 - 24 year olds; BFI 75 - celebrating 75 years of the BFI; Boom Britain, 1950’s – 1970’s documentaries; BFI at Cannes – film centre;Screen Epiphanies, monthly members screenings; Partnerships including: Elle magazine, Ronnie Scotts, The Guardian, Evening Standard, National Theatre, Big Chill music festival; Alice Cooper Halloween special October 2011

Natural England is a Non Departmental Public Body (NDPB) part of the DEFRA family. Formed by merging three organisations, 2500 people, spread over 50 sites throughout England. I was recruited as communications programme manager leading up to the launch of Natural England and subsequently appointed as interim Director of Communications, responsible for co-ordinating and managing the launch and communications function for Natural England.

Worked closely with the executive board to identify how Edexcel was perceived internally and externally resulting in a complete re-brand of the organisation & marketing and communications restructure. Produced marketing communications and branding report for the board• Formed and led a new marketing and communications division• Developed a marketing strategy and budget, designed staff structure• Reviewed and appointed marketing and advertising agencies, developed new public affairs and media strategy and developed a new website• Developed and implemented the new brand (internal and external), the process included consultation with staff and brand immersion workshops with the whole organisation• Chaired the Portfolio Management group, responsible for reviewing, analysing and developing the educational product portfolio of the company• Recruited and formed new team and introduced new research and quality functions• Worked with the Pearson Group to develop an integrated approach to corporate communications and media affairs throughout the Pearson Education division