Sarah Sharpe Email & Phone Number

Oxford, England, United Kingdom

In this role I managed the four core teams across the corporate communications department responsible for internal, external, change and digital communications. I worked on events of international significance such as the funeral of the late HM the Queen and the Coronation of King Charles, and was Chair of the Thames Valley Local Resilience Forum 'Warning and Informing' group, responsible for bringing together partners from across the region to prepare for, and respond to, major incidents.I provided strategic and tactical advice to the force on local and national policing issues.

Reading, United Kingdom

I led the regional stakeholder engagement and communications team across our South West and Wales region. I provided strategic engagement and communications advice to clients as well as developing and running public consultations and community liaison plans.

Reading, Berkshire, United Kingdom

In this role I managed critical business incidents, assessing risk levels and coordinating a tailored, managed response to them. Incidents can range from security breaches, to large, visible burst pipes in key locations. Our team is the first point of contact for external partners such as the emergency services and local authority emergency planners, as well as company employees, and therefore I am highly skilled in working with a range of teams and external stakeholders. During incidents I provided guidance and a structured response, reducing any potential reputational, operational or financial risk to the business.

Reading, United Kingdom

In this role I responded to regional and national media enquiries, providing written statements and giving broadcast interviews when required. A key part of the job was protecting Thames Water’s reputation during high profile operational incidents, and this also included managing customer and digital messaging. I led on media strategy for key business areas such as public messaging on water resources and metering. I organised media training sessions for key personnel and helped develop the confidence of company spokespeople, organising refresher sessions and providing extra coaching when required.Supporting Thames Water's "Bin It, Don't Block It" campaign, I achieved regular national print and broadcast coverage on the legendary water company fatberg...

Leading a team, I managed both internal and external communications for the Asset Investment division of Thames Water.Prior to this, I worked in Capital Delivery, the business area of Thames Water responsible for delivering a capital programme of works worth billions of pounds across the Thames Water region.I worked with contractors to ensure that communications out to customers, key stakeholders and the media were clear and effective. While I was in post complaint levels fell and I established excellent working relationships with contractor counterparts.

Oxford, United Kingdom

I developed communications bid solutions for a range of contracts across the UK.

I managed both internal and external communications for a £2.7 billion Private Finance Initiative partnership between Amey and Birmingham City Council.http://www.amey.co.uk/Media/Pressreleases/Pressrelease.aspx?ArtMasterID=1142

I responded to regional media enquiries for the Thames region of the EA, assisting the National press team during national events, for example the Cumbria floods in 2009.

I managed the consultation process for a controversial reservoir proposal.

After coming to the press team for work experience the team invited me back during University holidays to answer media enquiries and assist in the day to day activities of the press office.

I worked in the internal communications team, writing materials for internal channels and supporting on the roll-out of a new employee engagement initiative.

Ba Hons 2:1, English Literature

Activities and Societies: Spark student newspaper Junction 11 student radio

Crisis (Response) Diploma