Could you describe your current role in internal communication and how you think membership with us might support you in this role?
I’m currently the Internal Communications Manager at GFT Financial Ltd. I’m involved in everything from advising our leaders and teams on internal comms to working with them on engagement initiatives and events to bring everyone together – something that isn’t always easy in the hybrid world of working. Having an IoIC membership gives me that extra support and guidance I need in areas where my knowledge isn’t as strong and helps me enhance the knowledge I do have – you’re never too old to learn new things!
What motivated you to pursue a career in internal communication and what do you enjoy most about it?
I came into internal communication purely by accident. I’d been working predominately in marketing and PR and was looking for a new challenge when I got a call from a recruiter back in 2015 about a new 12-month role at GFT to help communicate a recent merger. I was able to use a lot of my skills from my previous role and create a function within the business they’d not had before. Almost 10 years on and I’m still here!
I enjoy the fact the job is so varied; no two days are ever the same! I’ve always liked writing, and this job plays to that perfectly, plus you get to work with and learn from so many different people across a variety of projects – there’s never a dull moment!
How has IoIC membership contributed to your professional development and career growth?
Having the membership gives me the opportunity to learn more about the field of internal communication through its webinars, blogs, and the annual IC Index, which is such an insightful read. Having all this expert knowledge and advice, as well as a wealth of resources at your disposal, helps you develop a deeper understanding of internal communication, and you can pass that on to the people and teams you work with, helping you become a trusted partner and advisor to your business. I’m hoping to learn even more in 2025 to take my role to the next level.
Can you name one career achievement or project that you're particularly proud of, and why?
I think a lot of people are under the impression that internal communicators are confident extroverts, and that certainly isn’t the case for me. So, for me, my proudest moment isn’t a campaign or project, it was getting up on stage in front of around 200 colleagues to host a town hall, something I never imagined myself doing. It was the confidence boost I needed to tell myself I can do things that are out of my comfort zone, and I advise anyone else to do the same.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in the internal communication profession?
Gain an understanding of the needs of the business you’ve joined. What do people want to hear about, who do they want to hear from and how do they want to receive that information? Follow and connect with fellow internal communicators. We all learn from each other and it’s always encouraging to know that we all face the same challenges too.
Tell us a fun fact about you that not many people know?
In my previous PR role, I taught ten celebrities to use digital voice recorders for a long-forgotten ITV reality show about journalism called Deadline. Tough crowd!
