IoIC Festival 2024

Mike Bates

Mike Bates is a human intelligence specialist, covert counter-terrorism operations leader, entrepreneur and adventurer.

Mike served a combined total of 20 years serving our country both within His Majesty’s Royal Marines and the Intelligence and Security fields of the Ministry of Defence. He is the first officer in the history of the MOD to pass all required courses to serve at the very front line of the U.K.’s counter-terror response.

Mike is uniquely placed as a public speaker to share his incredible and authentic journey with a wide range of audiences. He has also honed his extensive operational experience and leadership in the mountains of Afghanistan and Iraq, the U.K., and alone in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

Most recently, Mike is best known for becoming the fastest solo British person to complete the ‘The World’s Toughest Row’, in a little over 46 days. His efforts over the three-year campaign for this challenge raised a phenomenal £175,000 for charity and inspired people all over the world.

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.  

Dr Paul Redmond

Writer , Speaker and Researcher and Director of Student Experience and Enhancement, University of Liverpool

Dr Paul Redmond is an author, keynote speaker and employment guru. He is also regarded as one of the UK’s leading experts on generational change.

Paul is the author of several books, reports and studies. His most infamous studies are the best-selling ‘The Graduate Jobs Formula,’ and the popular diary column for the UK’s Institute of Student Employers magazine.

In recognition of his prolific writing and research, Paul has been awarded a Fellowship from the British Royal Society of Arts.

Paul is best known for his current position as Director of Student Experience and Enhancement at the University of Liverpool. He regularly holds visiting lectureships at various leading universities across the country and has been responsible for guiding the future careers of thousands of graduates and students.

He is also in the midst of writing his new book, ‘The Rise of the Zombie Jobs’ which will go into detail about the jobs we are eventually likely to lose to future AI and robotics technology.

Rohit Talwar

CEO, Fast Future

Rohit Talwar is a global futurist who has worked regularly with clients around the global to help future proof their businesses. A leading authority on AI and the future of society, business, and work, he focuses on how businesses, countries, investors, educators, and NGOs can navigate a fast changing world. Rohit helps organisations develop the capacity to respond to the opportunities and challenges posed by geo-political changes, economic turbulence, socio-demographic shifts, new business thinking, accelerating innovation, gamechanging technologies such as AI, and disruption in all its many forms. 

Rohit is the editor and co-author of nine books on the emerging future all of which focus on the disruptions ahead and how we might navigate them. He has worked with leaders in global business, government, new ventures, education, international agencies, and investors in over 80 countries on six continents. 

Rohit's clients include 3M, ABN Amro, Actis Investors, Allen & Overy, American Express, Ameropa, Astra Zeneca, Baker McKenzie, Barclays, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Citi, Deloitte, Dentons, Deutsche Telecom, DLA Piper, Etisalat, EY, Gartner, Glanbia, GSK, Hogan Lovells, HSBC, Huawei, IBM, Intel, Investcorp, Jardines, JLT, KPMG, Latham and Watkins, Linklaters, Mastercard, McKinsey, Microsoft, Nat West, Nationwide, Novartis, Pfizer.  PWC, Santander, SAP, Shell, VISA, agencies such as the OECD, UN, and World Bank / IFC, and the governments of Hong Kong, Singapore, the UAE, the UK, and USA.

Essam Aljaedy

Content Specialist, beetroot

Essam is a writer and editor with communications experience in diverse markets and cultures.

He has worked across industries, from FMCG and engineering to cleantech and international development. For beetroot, he works with clients such as PepsiCo to write the stories that bring their values to life for employees, strengthening engagement and advocacy, inspiring behavioural change and helping them transform from the inside out.

He has lived and worked in the UK, Kenya and Vietnam. In his spare time, he writes a comedy blog where he shares self-deprecatory anecdotes and stories about his family and childhood.

Ada Borucka

Internal Communications Expert, Trainer and Facilitator, Pinpoint IC Agency

As an Internal Communications (IC) professional with over two decades of experience and a partner at PinPoint, I specialize in developing IC strategies, establishing processes, and facilitating workshops. My main aim is to support in-house IC professionals in enhancing communication for greater organizational impact. Facilitation, a practice in active listening, brings me immense satisfaction.

Outside work, I treasure family time, sharing a love for tennis, swimming, and biking. I also enjoy yoga and walking my dog, finding balance in life's simple pleasures.

Damon Bowles

Head of Strategic IC and Content, Definition

An award-winning internal communications specialist, Damon Bowles is Definition’s Head of Strategic IC and Content. After stumbling from the world of fashion journalism into internal communications (a rabbit hole for another time), he’s since developed an obsessive fascination with the nature of human connection, communication and engagement at work.

Over 20+ years he’s collaborated with a wide range of UK and International brands, from automotive, airline and retail to professional services and not-for-profits. This has included planning and creating award-winning campaigns and content, reviewing channel effectiveness and delivering strategic consultancy. Most recently, he has focused on supporting leaders as communicators in a fast-changing workplace and the psychological/neuroscience aspects of employee engagement.

Richard Burton

Managing Partner, Forty1, and Head of Strategy Inizio Engage XD

Richard believes today’s best businesses are all built the same way, from the inside out. With more than 20 years of in-house experience in brand, marketing and communications gained across sectors including healthcare, technology and professional services, he has seen how the power of creativity can shape cultures, drive engagement and foster advocacy.

As founder and Managing Partner of Forty1, Richard leads a talented team of more than 50 people across Europe and North America with deep expertise in internal communications, employee listening, DEI, employer brands and change.  As a hands-on consultant, he partners with senior executives from Forty1’s multinational clients to help design and deliver pioneering solutions that allow them to attract, retain and inspire the workforce their business needs.

Alli Cary

Head of Internal Communications, Voyage Care

Alli Cary is Head of Internal Communications at Voyage Care, a leading adult social care provider. Alli has over twelve years’ experience in health and social care, specialising in IC for the past eight years.

In her current role, Alli has established a multi-award winning team who thrive on connecting people to the organisation’s purpose, bringing the stories of colleagues and those they support to life.

She holds a BA Hons in Visual Communication and a Masters in Internal Communications Management. She became an IoIC Fellow in 2024.

Alli lives and works in the Midlands and spends her free time playing netball, baking and enjoying time with her two children.

Emma Clayton

Senior Marketing and Communications Consultant, Be Brilliant Consultancy

I started my corporate career in pharmaceutical sales and moved quickly into marketing where I successfully led the strategic planning, launching and management of multi-million pound brands.

After working for many of the major pharmaceutical players in various senior leadership marketing and communication roles, I left the industry in 2017 to set up my marketing and communication consultancy.
Having worked across multiple therapy areas I can easily step into any speciality and accelerated growth. From orphan drugs to highly competitive primary care treatments I have created successful strategies that have generated millions of pounds of additional revenue.

Now I help clients to boost results, upskill teams and create excellence in strategic delivery.

John Clegg

Communications Consultant

John is a communications professional with over 16 years’ experience across a variety of industries ranging from educational publishing to engineering, consulting and financial services.

John, a Chartered Public Relations practitioner, has chaired the CIPR Not-For-Profit sector group for three years, and has a Master’s degree from the University of Oxford.

John, who grew up in America, has been in the UK for 20 years and lives on the edge of the Cotswolds. He is an avid gardener and shouldn’t be allowed in bookstores unsupervised.

Laura Colantuono

Group Head of Internal Communications, Fremantle

Laura is a communication leader with over 14 years of experience gained in global organisations. She’s Italian but has lived abroad for most of her life.

Laura started her career as a journalist to then join Unilever in 2010, where she discovered her passion for Internal Communications. In 2014, she joined the luxury fashion brand Fendi to lead the global IC team and in 2019 she moved to London. Here she led the IC functions of Harrods, The Kraft Heinz Company, and then Klarna, before joining Fremantle in 2022, where she oversees Internal Communication for the Group

Christine Cook

Internal Engagement Manager, Lloyd’s Register

Christine Cook is a social purpose storyteller and communications strategist. With a background in social media advertising, partnerships, and marketing, she has worked at agencies, in-house and with partners such as the NatWest Group and the team behind the Netflix documentary ‘Seaspiracy’.

These days you’ll find her at Lloyd’s Register where she leads on the internal communications for the global charity, Lloyd's Register Foundation, as well as the social purpose work of Lloyd's Register across the Group worldwide. When she’s not at work, you’ll find her outdoors, in a body of water somewhere – and always with a coffee.

Ryan Curtis-Johnson

Director of Communications, Valuable 500

Suzy Dean

CEO and Microsoft MVP , Addin365

Suzy is the CEO and Founder of Addin365.

Addin365 provide internal communication and collaboration products, that sit on the Microsoft 365 platform, for FTSE100 companies including WPP Group, St James’ Place and AstraZeneca. Addin365 is recognised as one of Microsoft’s top 15 partners globally and Suzy regularly speaks at Microsoft’s global conferences to audiences of up to 10,000 people. 

Paul Diggins

Head of Internal Communications, Santander UK

Paul has worked in Internal Communications for almost 25 years. Having learned his trade at Barclays, he has since worked for a range of businesses in a number of sectors, and is currently the Head of IC at Santander UK PLC. Paul is also an IoIC Board Member.

Charlotte Edwards

Executive Producer, CTL Communications

Charlotte has 20 years of experience in events and communications in a range of different industries from Government policy, healthcare, and education to automotive.  She has a proven track record across a varied remit including people and relationship management, event delivery, engagement, business transformation and communications.

Charlotte loves to tell stories and bring messaging to life through different mediums. But most of all, Charlotte enjoys working with inspiring people, building passionate teams, and seeing projects come to life.

Jo Eyre

MD, Voxeon Communications

Jo Eyre is the MD of Voxeon Communications, specialising in internal communications for distributed teams. With experience at the nexus of communication, digital anthropology and frontier technologies, Jo has spent the past 17 years advising startups, governments and some of the world's best known corporations across six continents.

As a PhD candidate in Information and Communication, she researches using emerging tech to foster belonging in remote and hybrid teams.

Most of Jo’s career has been spent working remotely, living in various countries in Africa as well as the UK. Jo currently lives in Cape Town with her husband, and two children.

Nicky Gallagher

Managing Director, HarknessKennett

Nicky has 30 years’ experience in Internal Communication. Having worked in-house as a communicator for 10 years prior to joining HarknessKennett, she really understands the work you do. Nicky has a substantial network of IC pros formed over the last two decades of consulting and values the enduring relationships she has built with clients and candidates alike.  Nicky works with a broad range of clients from FTSE 100’s to not-for-profits, providing consultancy and research and developing resourcing strategies. She also leads the development of HarknessKennett’s networking events and has recently completed her Masters in Internal Communication Management.

Michael Geeleher

Director, Global Internal Communications, Sony Interactive Entertainment

Michael has over 10 years’ experience helping some of the biggest names in film, TV, and gaming create internal employee experiences that are as engaging as their consumer-facing brands. With a particular focus on quality and tone of voice, his work in the channels and campaigns space has won several internal communication awards both in the UK and internationally.

In 2020, he was shortlisted as a Top 10 Future LGBTQ Leader at the British LGBT Awards. Outside of work, he is a member of the London Gay Men’s Chorus and has sung on stages with them around the world.

Jo Glover

Director - Organisational Development & Engagement, EMIS

Jo is an accomplished senior organisational development professional. Jo specialises in helping businesses develop people strategies that result in increased employee engagement, which leads to improved business performance.

With over 25 years’ experience in learning and development, HR and organisation development working in retail, telecoms, consultancy and tech, Jo knows what it takes to build the right culture and create a great employee experience. Jo’s speciality is using data-driven insight to create an inspirational culture - attracting, recruiting and retaining the best employees, enabling everyone to be their best self and deliver high performance.

Jo is a huge fan of the outdoors and often seen enjoying Yorkshire’s hills and mountains with her dog.

Jo Hall

Our resident coach for the day is Jo Hall, an ICF trained coach who uses cognitive behavioural therapy, neurolinguistic programming, positive psychology and energetic modalities combined with her calm, intuitive, kind-yet-kick-ass coaching style.  Specialising in empowerment and imposter syndrome coaching, Jo helps others to take back control and unleash the best version of themselves.

Jo is a former Global Head of Internal Communication and holds an MA in Internal Communication Management.

Rachael Hamilton

Communication Strategist, CTL Communications

A Senior Communications Strategist who really knows how to engage people and change behaviour? After 25+ years working across creative agencies and direct with clients, she’s found the perfect mix of creative thinking, solution focus and team delivery. Her passion for excellence is backed up by results that knock KPIs out of the park.

Rachael loves to drive engagement through new and novel ways, that are fitting for the audience. She brings a sense of fun and is passionate about pushing the creative boundaries.

Mike Harvey

Head of the Global Responsible Business Team, Pinsent Masons

Mike Harvey is the Head of the Global Responsible Business Team at Pinsent Masons, a multinational professional services business with law at the core. Mike is a responsible business professional with nearly two decades of experience working in the sector. Including 13 years at Business in the Community, the UK’s largest business-led membership organisation dedicated to responsible business. Mike’s team supports Community Investment, DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), Mental Health and Wellbeing, Pro Bono and colleague engagement on Climate Change. Mike is a Fellow of the Institute of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability and is sits on the Yorkshire & Humber Leadership Board of BITC.

Jessica Hawes

Communications strategist, Verity London

Verity London is a B corp sustainability and responsible business consultancy, partnering with national and multinational brands helping them embed responsible business into culture. Representing Verity, Jessica is a specialist communications strategist who led Pinsent Mason's strategic and communications consultancy across 2023. She will share key insights and learns, from both the project itself and her portfolio of work across professional and charitable organisations in ESG engagement and reporting.

Lisa Hawksworth

Director of Culture & Insights, scarlettabbott

Lisa is passionate about insights and what it reveals about an organisation's culture and communications. She takes complex data and transforms it into strategies that drive lasting change.

Emily Hecker

Founder and Director, Emily Hecker International

Emily is an internal communication strategist, consultant, and certified Communication Management Professional (CMP®) with over a decade of experience reshaping communication strategies across industries like publishing, financial services, insurance, retail, and facilities management. She specializes in tailoring communication solutions to elevate internal approaches and drive concrete results. As the author of “Me, Myself, and IC: A Guide to Building Internal Communication as a Team of One,” Emily equips solo professionals with practical strategies for success. When she’s not elevating IC functions from copy-paste-send factories to trusted strategic partners, Emily enjoys traveling, good books, and cold drinks—ideally all combined. 

Carl Holloway

Director of Communications, Great Places Housing Group

Carl has worked in communications for 18 years across education, health, local government and social housing. His expertise in internal communication covers change, employee engagement and culture. He is preoccupied with adapting internal communication offers to meet the changing needs of employees, senior leaders, and organisations.

He holds Master’s degrees in Strategic Communication and in Management Practice and has written a chapter on Internal Communication to be published in an upcoming book for practitioners.

He is a Manchester United season ticket holder and has a travel blog where he writes about collecting airmiles, and recommendations on what to see, where to stay, eat and shop in the places he visits.

Andy Holt

MD of Engagement and employee experience, Definition

Andy Holt is MD of Engagement and employee experience. He’s been plugging away at the IC and EE stuff for 30yrs and loves it! An accidental communicator, he kicked off his illustrious career drawing stuff (a big claim to fame is he drew owls for Scary Spice!) then swiftly made his way into creative, comms and strategy. He’s had the privilege of working with some awesome brands, impressive IC types and a talented team. Together they’ve knocked out some cracking comms together!

Actively involved in the IC profession, he was IoIC North Director and board director for seven years and is proud to be an IoIC fellow.

More importantly though, he’s helped organisations connect, communicate with their people through innovation, engaging and human ways.

Oh, and did we tell you, he loves winning gongs (especially IoIC ones)!

Susanna Holten

Principal Consultant, Ipsos Karian and Box

Susanna leads the IK&B team of internal communication and behaviour change consultants. She works with clients across a broad range of sectors in the IC research and strategic advisory space and also partners with clients on campaign work.

She leads the work on the IC Index in close collaboration with the IoIC. 

Ann Hood

Team Lead, Content & Campaign Team, Scottish Water

Ann has been working in communications for over 30 years. With extensive experience of supporting leadership teams during times of organisational change and crisis. Advising, delivering communications, and coaching leaders.

A member of the IoIC Scotland committee for over 18 years, she is now the Network Lead.

With her daughters off to university, she has rekindled her love of cooking, trying out new recipes that her husband loves but the girls think are yukky!  Always a family of animal lovers, over the years that’s included cats, guinea pigs, horses, a breaded dragon and dogs. Life is quieter now with only one demanding collie.

Kate Hughes

Group Internal Communications Manager, Cambridge University Press & Assessment

Kate has worked for Cambridge University Press & Assessment for 15 years in a variety of internal and external comms roles. She’s part of an IC team split across the UK and the Philippines, who received an Award of Excellence from the IoIC last year in recognition of the Agile ways of working they’ve adopted over the last couple of years. She’s an innovator and enjoys disrupting traditional practices to add real value and create a better employee experience. Mum to 4-year-old Cece and married to a UX Designer, she’s currently contemplating her first ultramarathon.

Deborah Hulme

Behavioural Change Expert | Human-Centred Transformation Specialist

Deborah is a Fellow of the IoIC and Certified by the Institute of Neuroscience as a Master Practitioner in the practical application of neuroscience.   

Deborah works with organisations to agree, develop and implement strategies that impact behaviour, build trust and deliver high performance. Effective communication, leadership and the latest insights from the field of neuroscience sit at the centre of her delivery.   

Adeeba Hussain

Director and Founder , Think Impact First Communications

Adeeba is a Chartered strategic PR advisor. She is the director and founder of PR consultancy Think Impact First Communications. Specialising in measurement and evaluation of all things internal communications. She helps organisations connect the ‘golden thread’, and align impact to purpose, strategy, and objectives to create a meaningful employee experience. Previously, Adeeba has worked in fast-paced corporate environments across different time zones, in private, public, and not-for-profit sectors. A strategic advisor who worked closely alongside key stakeholders from managing directors, and executive councilors, to the Royal Air Force and MOD.

Outside work, Adeeba volunteers as the Chair of the Board of Governors for a local primary school and the CIPR Northwest Committee. She has recently taken up walking for pleasure and exploring her local Lancashire countryside. 

Lynsey Hutchison

Director, Head of Insight and Optimisation, Corporate Communications, Barclays

Lynsey has over 20 years’ experience in the Financial Services industry, 12 of those dedicated to internal communications and engagement.

As a certified six sigma black belt with a love of data, Lynsey embraces her inner geek and delights in exploring innovative ways to leverage insights and technology to optimise internal communications processes and build engagement strategies that make a difference.

Luke-Matthew Iveson

Global Head of Centres of Excellence, Forty1

Luke-Matthew is Director of the DEI Centre of Excellence at Forty1. They partner with clients to harness the power of diversity, equity and inclusion to create better employee experiences, shaping workspace culture so everyone can be their true authentic selves. Their experience includes DEI communications and engagement programmes for Capgemini, Nissan and GSK.

Building on experiences as a queer & gender studies lecturer, Luke-Matthew contributes to thought-leadership through their writing and frequent participation in external talks and panels discussions.

Emma James

Head of Colleague Experience & Comms, Moto Hospitality

A passionate, experienced and proactive employee engagement and marketing professional, I have established myself as a globally recognised public speaker and communications expert. I am creative, diligent and a natural leader and have run teams, directed strategic employee engagement plans, and am also a keen and talented copy writer and Creative Director. With multiple channel skills, I bring a unique blend of both internal and external communication perspectives across a global remit.

Known for my loyalty, dedication and enthusiasm, I am also proud to work autonomously and take on high levels of responsibility. I am a strong relationship builder with multi-functional teams across the globe, as well as a confident leader and facilitator of meetings and presentations with Exec Board members. More recently I have taken on the world of Benefits and Recognition for our 5000 colleagues.

Add to this my other, very important role as Mummy and Chef / Toy Coordinator / Cuddler to Arthur!

: moto-way.co.uk
: linkedin.com/in/emmajamescreativecommunicator

Rob Jones

Co-founder and content director, Artful Dog

Ross is co-founder and content director of communications agency Artful Dog. He has more than 20 years’ experience in internal comms – planning, writing and editing magazines, websites, brochures and other campaign materials. He is the editor of IoIC’s membership magazine, Voice.

Beatrice Ngalula Kabutakapua

Professional storyteller

Beatrice Ngalula Kabutakapua is a professional storyteller, having worked as a journalist and documentary maker for a decade I now support international organizations as a business storytelling coach.

While storytelling in business is oftentimes used to communicate with external audiences, Beatrice applies storytelling to engage, retain and develop internal audiences so that employees can advance in their careers, be more productive and lead with clarity of communication.

Using her coaching skills, knowledge of human behaviour, and empathy, Beatrice partners with DEI, People and Culture, L&D leaders to support diverse leaders so that they find their leadership style and manage people effectively, productively, and authentically.

Beatrice's clients have referred to her work as being "thought-provoking", "genius" and "empowering". Her work has reached more than 10,000 people through content, workshops, and conferences from Los Angeles to Istanbul and in three different languages: French, English and Italian.

Naomi Khan

Internal Communications Executive, Fremantle   

Naomi began her career in Event Management working in prestigious hotels like Conrad Dublin, Intercontinental Dublin and The Waldorf Astoria New York. 

After moving to London from her hometown of Dublin in 2021, she discovered a strong passion for creativity and communications. Shifting gears, she delved into the world of media to specialise in Internal Communications. This started with an EMEA-focused role with TV broadcaster, A+E Networks EMEA, before moving to production and distribution powerhouse, Fremantle.

At Fremantle she holds her current position as Internal Communications Executive, on a global scale. 

Howard Krais

Co-founder, True

Howard co-founded True, a business set up to help organisations build winning cultures through maximising the potential of their people in early 2023.

Before True, Howard spent much of his career in senior in house communications and engagement roles at businesses such as Ernst & Young, GSK and latterly Johnson Matthey. 

Over the last six years, Howard has co-authored on work focused on how organisations listen. Following four ground-breaking reports, a book, entitled “Leading the Listening Organisation” was published by Routledge in December 2023. 

Howard was President of the UK chapter of International Association of Business Communicators for two years (2019-21), and Chairman of Wealdstone Football Club (2007-16). 

Peter Lyons

Head of Internal Communications, British Airways

Peter has worked in internal communications, marketing and PR for over 14 years for a range of well-known brands in the UK and Australia. Peter is an experienced strategic and trusted c-suite advisor providing counsel across a diverse range of portfolios and has extensive experience across change and leadership communications, creative campaigns, and event management.

Eduvie Martin

Group Internal Communications Manager, BAT

Eduvie has almost 20 years international experience in internal comms across multiple sectors. She studied Broadcast Journalism at the New York Film Academy and holds a Masters degree from the IE Business School, Madrid. In 2023, she was named PR woman of the month, nominated for a Comms Hero Award, and received the Simplys award for Best Internal Comms Rising Star.

She is the Group Internal Comms Manager at BAT, President Elect of the International Association of Business Communications UK and Ireland and volunteers her time on the board of her comic book start-up: Comic Republic  – a start-up known globally for authentic stories and illustrations of African superheroes inspired by culture. 

Eduvie is known for attracting global media visibility to her comic book start-up, hosting internal TV shows and podcasts, facilitating over 300 town halls, and influencing comms professionals to deliver work that adds value.

Deanna Mathieson

Senior Communications Executive, Voyage Care

Deanna is a Senior Internal Communications Executive at Voyage Care and has worked for the organisation for four years. She currently leads on the award-winning magazine, Zest, and loves working on projects that engage colleagues and people we support with Voyage Care’s purpose.

Deanna has a BA in Public Relations, where she first discovered her passion for internal communications, and has worked in a range of industries including education, health & beauty, and now social care.

In her spare time, you can usually find Deanna endlessly scrolling through TikTok searching for an exciting new recipe or spending time with her family.   

Lesley McBride

Change Communications & Engagement

Lesley is a certified member of the IoIC. With over 25 years’ in-house and client-side expertise in communications planning and delivery, Lesley helps communications and engagement specialists achieve their goals.  

She supports comms teams and their delivery partners on the development of strategically aligned initiatives, and works with internal communications leaders to enhance team performance, impact and effectiveness.

Adele McIntosh

VP of Internal Communications and Community, Arm

Adele is VP of Internal Communications and Community at Arm, a global technology company. She has worked for Arm for over six years, and is responsible for internal communications, internal events and Team Arm, the company’s employee community engagement program. Before Arm, Adele worked in external communications in the agency world, and had a brief foray into writing for women’s magazines at the start of her career.

She is a terrible singer but loves karaoke, is learning to play the piano, has twin daughters and a very lovely, but demanding, blue whippet.

Joe McMann

Director of Internal and Executive Communications (EMEA), Marriott International

As Director of Internal and Executive Communications, EMEA, at Marriott International, Joe is responsible for delivering strategic communications and supporting employee engagement across a diverse workforce of over 125,000. He and his team also manage communications for the EMEA executive team, including helping to enhance external profiles via LinkedIn and industry events. Before joining Marriott in 2022, Joe led the Strategy & Insights team within Corporate Affairs at Virgin Media O2, where he also led the Internal Communications team. Joe has also worked for British Airways, where he gained his Masters in Internal Communications. Football and his children – often together – occupy most of his spare time, as well as the odd book.

Sam McNeill

General Manager - UK & Europe, SONGDIVISION

Voted as a Top Five Speaker in Spice Magazine’s Hot 100, and one of Eventex’ 100 Most Influential People in the Events Industry', Sam McNeill is one of the most globally in-demand Corporate MC’s & Facilitators.

Sam’s accolades include winning ‘Future Leader’ awards for both Meetings & Events Australia (MEA) and the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), as well as being included in Connect Corporate’s esteemed list of ’40 under 40’ industry professionals.

Having delivered or 700 events and workshops, Sam’s professionalism and energy has made him a favourite among some of the biggest brands in the world including Coca- Cola, Microsoft, SAP, Roche, and BP. However, Sam’s greatest professional moment was performing at a Virgin Airlines event where Sir Richard Branson planted a kiss on Sam’s cheek..... He’s still blushing!

Sam holds a Degree in Classical Music Studies from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and is an accredited Wiley DiSC Facilitator.

Rachel Miller

Founder, All Things IC

Rachel Miller is an internationally recognised authority on internal communication and host of the Candid Comms podcast. A former journalist, she has 20 years’ IC experience and advises many of the world’s best-known companies through her consulting business, All Things IC.

She’s a Chartered PR Practitioner and Fellow of the Institute of Internal Communication and Chartered Institute of Public Relations. She's listed in Inspiring Workplaces' top 101 global employee engagement influencers. In 2020, Rachel was awarded the Chartered Institute of Public Relations' President's Medal for distinguished service to PR. 

She’s a fan of LEGO, quality stationery and English Breakfast tea.

Florence Musengi

Managing Director, Wayam Communications

Dynamic business leader anchored in growth mindset principles to build high performance and motivated teams exhibiting integrity and empathy. A Chartered Public Relations Practitioner with expertise in culture, employee engagement and change communication in complex, multicultural organisations.

Florence Musengi an MBA graduate is a management consultant and seasoned Executive and Professional Coach with more than 25 years’ experience within corporate South Africa and other multi-nationals. She has wide experience with listed multinationals like Saab Group of Sweden (Saab Grintek), Reutech Limited SA, Paramount Group and the United Nations.

She co-founded an engineering company in radar technology and engineering project management within the defence and aerospace sector.

She founded Wayam Communications assisting organisations with Strategic Communication interventions, Organisational Change Management Strategies and Organisational Development; Brands Development and Activation; and Project Management.

Florence’s key career highlights include:

• Successfully launched over 20 products into markets in India, UAE, Malaysia, and Thailand
• Led communication strategies in Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania in support of business development plans
• Established new agency model in priority market and hubs as part of cost saving and winning new business

Recently she completed her MA in Internal Communications Management with Solent University/Institute of Internal Communications (UK). Published Author of two leadership development books ‘Woman At The Top’ and ‘You Are Worth It.'

Lauren Neadle

Senior Internal Communications Executive, Voyage Care

Lauren has worked for Voyage Care for six years; prior to this she held various marketing and communications roles within healthcare. Lauren has specialised in internal communications for six years.

Lauren has a passion for design and thrives on creating things others will love; she has been involved in many key projects during her time at Voyage Care, including the company’s award-winning magazine and employee awards programme. She thoroughly enjoy being part of a hardworking, dedicated and award winning team!

Lauren is married, with a daughter. She enjoys spa days, brunch, and is also a very keen gardener!

Sally Nettleton

Co Founder, Toucan Agency

With a background in theatre, sketch writing and stand-up comedy, along with over fifteen years writing, directing and producing corporate film. Sally is a natural stage performer with a deep understanding of what connects with audiences and makes a compelling story. As a coach, she works with speakers to design and refine their speeches and as an NLP practitioner, understands the power and use of language to shape our thinking. She loves working with people to develop their skills and discover new strengths and talents. 

Suzanne Peck FIIC

President, Institute of Internal Communication

Suzanne’s internal communications experience spans strategy and delivery for blue-chip organisations for more than 30 years.

An award-winning journalist and communicator, Suzanne has worked in communications roles in-house with Marks & Spencer, McAlpine, Shell and GSK.

She is managing director of leading employee engagement experts, Sequel Group, delivering strategic consultancy and content for clients and day-to day operations for the 30-strong team.

She is also President of the Institute of Internal Communication (IoIC), and President of the Federation of Industrial Editors (FEIEA).

Mike Pounsford

CEO & Founder, Couravel

Mike Pounsford founded Couravel in 2001.  He works with clients to increase employees’ understanding of business strategy and to design and lead conversations for change. International clients in the private, public and third sector include BAE Systems, Tata Steel Europe, Thales, The Walt Disney Company, The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, and Oxfam. 

Mike pioneered employee research in Europe for Towers Perrin (Willis Towers Watson) in the 1980s and founded brand engagement specialists Banner McBride (WPP Group’s fast-growing organic start up) in the 1990s.

Mike is a co-author of ‘Leading the Listening Organisation’ (Routledge, 2024), is accredited under the NTL International Organisation Development programme and is an IAF Certified™ Professional Facilitator.

He is a keen guitar player, the proud father of Poppy, Emily and Georgia and the grandfather of Ossie.

Joe Salmon FIIC

Director, Corporate Communications, Iron Mountain

Joe is a seasoned communications leader with a proven track record of driving organisational success. With over two decades of communication expertise, spanning agency, consultancy, and in-house roles at companies including Vodafone, BT, Hill + Knowlton Strategies, and Spotify. He excels at providing strategic leadership communication and coaching to enhance visibility, reputation and trust, while crafting employee campaigns delivered through compelling storytelling to help organisations to grow from the inside out.

His expertise spans leadership communication, employee engagement, and navigating organisational change. Joe has a Post Graduate Diploma in Internal Communication Management, and is a passionate advocate for the internal communication profession, his influence extends beyond the day job. He's an elected Board Director and Fellow at the Institute of Internal Communication, a champion for inclusion and belonging through the UK Black Comms Network, a recognised event host, speaker, mentor, and awards judge. And PRovoke Media Innovator 25 honouree.

Srabani Sen OBE

Chief Executive, Full Colour

Srabani marries her deep knowledge of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) with nearly 30 years’ Board experience, including four chair roles, and senior executive leadership including three CEO roles. Srabani began her career as a strategic communications and public affairs expert. Srabani is regularly invited to speak on EDI at conferences, on podcasts and webinars across different sectors. She is an EDI columnist for Charity Times magazine. She has devised and delivered numerous bespoke audits, programmes of change on EDI and executive and Board leadership development programmes, advising organisations on how to gain traction and commitment to the work.

Ranjit Sidhu

Founder, ChangeQuest

Ranjit is a chartered management consultant and accredited trainer. She works closely with clients to support them in embedding tailored change and project management approaches, that enable effective communication, efficient delivery and sustainable transformation. She is Founder of ChangeQuest and her work with clients spans across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

She is co-author of IOIC’s Change Communication Strategy Guide, and other publications, including: Titanic Lessons in Project Leadership and The Effective Change Manager’s Handbook. She teaches the change management and stakeholder influencing units of IOIC’s Master’s programme and has held the position of Trustee Board Member for the APM.

Tsara Smith

Senior Consultant, Ipsos Karian and Box

Tsara has worked in internal communications for 18 years. She now applies her knowledge of in-house best practice to support Ipsos Karian and Box clients with their IC measurement, strategies and campaigns–as well as working on the IC Index. She is a chartered member and mentor with the IoIC.

Paul Spiers

Founder, The New P&L Institute

Founder of The New P&L® Institute and host of the internationally-respected top 5% podcast series, The New P&L® – Principles & Leadership in Business, Paul Spiers speaks on and works at the intersection of leadership, culture, people and purpose.

A respected advocate for a ‘New P&L’ for Business – one based on Principles & Leadership not just Profit & Loss, Paul’s engaging keynotes and workshops aim to help senior leaders, employees and companies better prepare for the more complex Future of Work by advising on how they can transform and align their leadership, vision, strategy and culture to elevate business performance.

The New P&L Podcast: https://podfollow.com/1484290569

The New P&L Institute: www.principlesandleadership.com

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. ­­­

Rob Steeles

Creative Partner, Toucan Agency

Rob Steeles brings over 25 years’ experience of leading creative departments at AMV BBDO, McCann World Group, Kin+Carta, and Eleven Miles, shaping some of the world’s best-known brands, as well as an impressive background in crafting compelling stories for, B2C, B2B, and internal clients. 

Rob believes it's become obvious to marketers that what matters today isn’t what you make, it’s the stories you tell, and how and where you choose to tell them. A creative with a strategic approach, he always looks to tap into people’s emotions to create unforgettable, highly effective content. 

Jen Stobart

Director, Tent UK

Jen Stobart is director of Tent UK, a coalition of 70 major companies committed to connecting refugees to work in the UK. The coalition is part of the Tent Partnership for Refugees’ global network of 400 companies committed to the labour market integration of refugees in their new communities.

Jen has over 20 years’ experience in the corporate and international development sector, leading partnerships and transformation initiatives for Save the Children, Amref Health Africa and Accenture. She is also an International Coach Federation (ICF) accredited transformative coach.

Catherine Talbot

Digital Communications Manager, Voyage Care

Cat Talbot is Digital Communications Manager at Voyage Care. With a BA in journalism, Cat has a background working in a variety of broadcast outlets. Cat has been at Voyage Care for the past five years, specialising in Internal Communications.

Cat currently leads the development of Voyage Care's award winning intranet, and loves nothing more than sharing the incredible stories of colleagues and people supported in creative and engaging formats such as video.

Outside of work, Cat loves to spend time outdoors, volunteering at her local brownie unit or enjoying good food with her family! 

Anouska Taylor

Executive Voice Coach, Anouska Taylor

Anouska Taylor is an Executive Voice Coach and Jungian Life Coach (using the work of Swiss psychoanalyst Carl Jung).  She's been training voices around the world for nearly 15 years to help clients reclaim their authentic speaking voice.  Anouska’s unique approach to voice coaching combines 3 areas - the technical (vocal technique and voice physiology), the creative (paralinguistics and expression) and the psychology (understanding how your unconscious mind is ultimately driving your voice).

Anouska’s also an accomplished singer and has performed at some prestigious music venues both in London and Melbourne.  In 2020 she began writing and recording her own music and has since released 7 singles, with a live recorded session coming soon.

Moi Tu

Visual Facilitator & Change Specialist, Moi Tu Facilitation

Moi is a London-based artist and facilitator, using artful and creative methods to help people to have more satisfying conversations and collaborations in workplaces and communities. She’s worked with a range of national and grassroot non-profits across health, care and social justice in supporting their projects, as well as illustrating at conferences and events to help people connect and see things differently. 

When she’s not out and about with her head in a sketchbook or comic, Moi enjoys long walks, birdwatching, stationery and crisps. She also runs creative workshops for young people and volunteers as a learning mentor at her local primary school.

Laura Wager

Head of Internal Communications, Royal College of Nursing

Laura has worked at the Royal College of Nursing for 17 years, starting as an administrator and working her way up the ranks to lead the internal communications team.

During that time, she has had three career breaks; the first to travel the world and the others to welcome her two daughters into it. She now works almost full-time, compressed hours in a pattern that many organisations would be forgiven for refusing.

Once described as having ‘an incredible capacity for work’ Laura is delighted to have a few hours off to learn from fellow internal communicators at the IoIC  Festival 2024.

Jarrod Williams

Head of digital content and channels, St. James's Place

Jarrod is an award-winning chartered communications professional at FTSE100 wealth management provider St. James's Place. Specialising in strategic digital communication, he leads a team managing global corporate content and channels, engaging over 2,500 SJP employees and 2,600 Partner Practices. Notably, he spearheaded a new global SharePoint intranet, overseeing the migration of 15,000 pieces of content with a focus on user needs and accessibility. Previously, he led digital and brand at housing association Bromford.

Outside work, he volunteers as Officer Commanding Volunteer Influence Team with the RAF Air Cadets, and enjoys family adventures with his 5-year-old and two-year-old twins in Cannock Chase.

Lauren Winney

Internal Communications and Engagement Manager, Ascenti

Lauren graduated with a degree in Journalism, Media, and Cultural Studies, with a dream to run around New York as a writer like her fictional idol, Carrie Bradshaw. Lauren may not be writing for Vogue, but creating engaging content for her peers remains a strong passion. In 2020, Lauren gained a Specialist Diploma in Internal Communications and now spearheads the IC and engagement strategy for Ascenti, a private healthcare company with over 900 employees across the UK.

Outside of work, you can find Lauren walking her dog in the Welsh countryside, renovating her house, or in the gym.