Could you describe your current role in internal communication and how you think membership with IoIC might support you in this role?
I’m currently a Senior Internal Communications Executive at Voyage Care and I’ve worked here for almost five years. I lead on our award-winning magazine, Zest, which is a personal highlight of mine because I love engaging with the people we support – seeing them live fulfilling lives fills me with so much joy.
I work closely with internal stakeholders to deliver key projects and initiatives across the organisation, with a particular focus on our digital transformation projects and acting as a strategic partner for projects relating to people and colleague experience.
Membership with the IoIC has proven to be incredibly valuable to me; it’s propelled my IC career forward and I’ve been able to connect with so many wonderful people within the industry who continue to share their expertise and inspire me to push boundaries.
What motivated you to pursue a career in internal communication and what do you enjoy most about it?
I first discovered my love for internal communications during my placement year at university, which was actually a PR placement. I was fortunate enough to have a team who encouraged me to immerse myself in all things comms, so I had the opportunity to work on a range of internal comms projects which I absolutely loved. So, I completed my final year at university, graduated and landed my first ‘proper’ IC role back in 2019!
I’ve always been a people person and loved writing, so once I discovered what IC was, I instantly knew it was my true calling. I love the variety of IC – no two days are the same, and whilst my workload may not thank me for it, I love being busy!
How has IoIC membership contributed to your professional development and career growth?
I completed the Advanced Diploma of Proficiency in Internal Communication back in 2023 and it’s honestly one of my proudest achievements to date! Like most things, it came with its challenges but the diploma encouraged me to explore new ways of doing things and challenge my own thinking.
I’m now part of the mentorship programme as a mentee, and I’m really enjoying learning about how other IC teams work and what their challenges are – it’s comforting to know you’re not alone and that we all face similar hurdles.
Can you name one career achievement or project that you're particularly proud of, and why?
It’s really hard to name just one so I’ll try to keep it short! The first one has to be my promotion which I am immensely proud of! This was my first ‘official’ promotion and I felt so privileged to be recognised for my contributions to an organisation, and team, I absolutely love.
The second is my role in launching a brand-new EVP to the organisation, which subsequently led to my team speaking at the IoIC Festival last year. This experience was entirely out of my comfort zone (and anyone who attended our session will know how nervous I was and how amazing the rest of the team were), but I felt so empowered by my manager to give it a go and do my best, so I did! The support I felt in the room from other IC professionals is a feeling I’ll never forget… and hey, I got through it in the end (just about!).
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in the internal communication profession?
Get stuck in! Sometimes it can feel a bit daunting when you begin your career in IC and you start to understand the important role it plays within an organisation.
Be inquisitive and ask questions. And then keep asking questions. I am yet to find an individual within the IC community who isn’t happy to support me. Even when you’ve been in the industry for years, there’s always something you can learn, so connect with people, knowledge share, and immerse yourself in everything the industry has to offer.
Tell us a fun fact about you that not many people know?
I’m technically a ‘published’ author! Back in primary school, my poem about WWII was one of few selected to be published in the Little Laureates book. My family still laugh at this because my poem had very few words in it and literally repeated ‘boom, boom, boom’ all the way through it (with a few verses wedged in between for dramatic effect!). But regardless of all that, clearly they saw my creative flair at such a young age and published it with my name underneath it, so I’m taking that as a win!
