Cathryn Barnard

Director, Working the Future

Cat is a co-founder at Working the Future, a business advisory firm helping organisations and their leaders make sense of the future of work. Working the Future’s trend intelligence and reports provide distilled analysis of the multiple, convergent forces driving change in the workplace. These insights are used as the foundation upon which to design practical, people-centred, future-proofing strategies.

With a prior career in workforce planning spanning three decades, Cathryn has helped build high-performing teams delivering leading edge communication technology across Europe and beyond. With additional experience of starting and growing successful businesses, Cat recognises the crucial role of human connection, relationship and communication in cementing team engagement and wider organisational performance. 

Since 2019, Working the Future has supported the IoIC to analyse and report on the key trends driving change at work and to present the expanding opportunity for internal communication professionals.

Dr Naeema Pasha

Speaker and Author

Dr. Naeema Pasha is a renowned expert and leading voice in artificial intelligence (AI), diversity, careers, and skilling, shaping the future of work with a focus on ethical and inclusive practices. Naeema established and led the World of Work (WOW) Institute at Henley Business School, spearheading groundbreaking research like "The Equity Effect," which illuminated racial disparities in UK businesses, and "Privacy Ltd," a short film critically examining the ethical implications of facial recognition technology. She has also researched generational differences in workplaces, looking at trends such as lazy-girl jobs and anti-work. She also has researched and taught about change, resilience and caring in workplaces.  

As an independent consultant, Naeema collaborates with organisations and institutions, providing strategic guidance on AI, diversity, resilience, and skills development projects. Notably, she contributed to a United Nations paper addressing the potential risks of Generative AI. She co-authored the book "Futureproof Your Career," empowering individuals to navigate the evolving work landscape, and her latest book chapter delves into the implications of AI Coachbots and the impact of a dehumanised work environment. Naeema is a Visiting Fellow at Henley Business School and was named by Ifpc-online as one of the Top 50 Worldwide Influencers on AI Ethics.  

Jennifer Sproul

Chief Executive, Institute of Internal Communication

Jennifer is responsible for the leadership of IoIC, the only independent professional body solely dedicated to internal communication. IoIC is the voice of internal communication, setting standards for more than 70 years through qualifications, career development, thought leadership and best practice.  

Prior to joining IoIC, Jennifer has worked for over 20 years in professional associations, most recently as Strategic Marketing & Sales Director at the Market Research Society, developing and leading on activities across marketing communications (both internal & external), careers, membership, professional development and publishing. ­­­

Justine Stevenson FIIC

Director of Internal Communication and Employee Engagement, AQA

Justine has been working in Internal Communications for more than 20 years and has had the opportunity to work in fantastic organisations across a range of sectors. She has been a member of IoIC throughout her entire IC career and has served as a board member for a significant portion of that time. Currently, she chairs the annual awards and is continually amazed by the excellence within the profession.