Judith Hewitt Email and Phone Number

Supported the programme of public consultation and stakeholder engagement about the proposal to build a new world-class centre for eye care, research and education at St Pancras in Camden.

Delivered stakeholder engagement and community consultation programmes to support regeneration projects in the pre-planning approval stage primarily on behalf of public sector clients. Responsible for developing the strategic approach to the disposal of MoD sites. Project lead for an initiative to develop creative consultation techniques to augment the GL Hearn offer. Advised the Managing Director and Senior Management team on internal communications, having produced a strategy in liaison with the corporate communications team. Proactively sought new business opportunities within the public sector and responded to invitations to tender.

I delivered the communications programme to support our consultation with residents and stakeholders about the regeneration of three neighbourhoods in Merton - Eastfields, High Path and Ravensbury. This diverse and rewarding role involved providing strategic advice and tactical support across a range of channels including media relations, stakeholder engagement, issues management, digital comms and internal communications. I assumed responsibility for the strategic direction of regeneration communications across the organisation as Clarion sought to strengthen this arm of the business in response to the challenge of meeting its target for delivering new homes. This involved developing the narrative for our approach to regeneration and aligning this to our corporate positioning.

I led on major announcements relating to the markets division, including the launch of Ofgem's capacity assessment, retail market reforms and the Select Committee response. The role involved key message development, briefing senior staff for media interviews, producing press releases and Q&As and handling complex media enquiries from national journalists. Working closely with colleagues I produced a consumer-focused PR strategy and also supported the work of the internal and digital media teams.

I managed the external and internal communications programme for East and South East England at the national housing and regeneration agency. This involved producing copy for online and offline channels including briefing materials, key messages, intranet and web content, and producing communications strategies for individual schemes. I advised colleagues on community consultation and led on media relations and the organisation of high profile regional events. Produced agency-wide branding and marketing guidance for staff and regional stakeholder engagement plan. Contributed to corporate internal communications strategy and briefings for national government regarding priority projects.

Responsible for internal and external communications for London at the national housing and regeneration agency. Advised colleagues on project-specific communications and worked closely with partner organisations to promote the agency’s work in London. Delivered the stakeholder engagement programme aimed at staff, local authorities, investment partners and local communities and played a lead role in housing-related Mayoral announcements. Contributed to digital communications by using and monitoring social media, commissioning design agencies to create websites, producing and uploading copy using Wordpress and HCA’s Content Management System and the production of an electronic staff magazine hosted on SharePoint. Managed two members of staff and a £120K marketing budget. Produced the internal communications strategy for HCA London’s transition to the GLA. The role also encompassed writing copy for online and offline channels, the design and production of promotional materials, media relations, issues management and organising speaking opportunities and events, including all-staff away days.

Implemented the media relations strategy as part of the team in charge of setting up the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA). Liaised directly with national government and the Chief Executive Designate of the HCA to produce publicity materials including press releases, web copy and bylined articles. Developed key messages and promoted the agency by proactively targeting national, trade and local media as well as arranging speaking engagements. Was responsible for responding to media enquiries, producing statements and briefing spokespeople. Volume of media coverage rose from 64 items in May 08 to 483 in Dec 08 with circa 85% of coverage rated positive or neutral. Worked closely with the marketing and internal communications leads on stakeholder mapping and engagement, as well as brand, website and intranet development.

Produced and delivered communications strategies and plans to promote individual regeneration schemes and the agency’s role at regional level to key stakeholders including communities, local authorities and private developers. Led on issues management and strategic coordination of communications across all channels. Introduced a media evaluation service, managed the communications budget, PR and design agencies and organised stakeholder events, including the ‘Ten Years on Greenwich Peninsula’ celebration. Responsible for media, community and stakeholder relations, event organisation, sponsorship and production of marketing and consultation materials. Advised colleagues on marketing sites for disposal and managed the promotion of corporate brand at regional level.