Global Relations and Public Policy Centre of Excellence

Corporate communications, public affairs and issues management.

I joined OVO Energy on a six month fixed term contract to establish a corporate communications strategy that would enhance its reputation and protect its license to operate. This involved effective crisis and issues management, building a sophisticated press office and supporting two key projects – the Competition and Markets Authority investigation media approach and the launch of Britain’s first Smart PAYG energy app.

As part of my current role at Lexis I carried out a six-month secondment in the European Corporate Public Affairs and Communications team with Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE), one of the world’s largest bottlers of Coca-Cola. My role was maternity cover for the role of Communications Director and in the main focused on The FT and CCE Future of Sustainability Summit which brought together the great and the good of European CSR stakeholders to convene debate around key sustainability topics including resource scarcity, social purpose and youth employment. I was responsible for developing the narrative and strategy for the Summit and shaping the supporting thought leadership work. This included securing a media partner (The FT), producing thought leadership research with the FT and Cranfield University, European network and stakeholder management, venue and logistics, external and internal communications strategies, social media approach, speaker and delegate recruitment, speech writing and all agency management.

I was responsible for a portfolio of corporate and B2B clients worth nearly £1 million per annum, with a particular focus on corporate communications and issues management in the food and hospitality sector. I shaped client strategies and ensured effective delivery of communications programmes, provided clients with consultative advice on reputation management and managed a team of six consultants. Clients included Pizza Hut, Avios, Arjowiggins Graphic, Allied Bakeries, Burton's Biscuit Company and DHL Express.

I worked in the marketing services team within the corporate communications division, providing strategic support for the world’s largest market research company, TNS, retail analysts Kantar Worldpanel and the Market Research Society. In addition I also oversaw the delivery of the external communications programmes for Lafarge Cement and Lafarge Plasterboard.

I gained experience in delivering both regional and national media and stakeholder campaigns, as well as event management, managing a range of clients in both the public and private sector.My clients included McDonald’s, the Information Commissioner's Office, BDO Stoy Hayward, the Environment Agency, the Reserve Forces and Burges Salmon.During my time at Grayling I gained my CIPR Diploma.