Spark Brand New Ideas, Supercharge Strategic Impact & Showcase Tangible Results With

Practical, Proactive & Powerful Internal Communication Strategies

27th June 2024 | 11th Annual | Central London

27th June 2024 | 10 Union Street, Central London

08:15

REGISTRATION OPENS

Registration, Informal Networking & GIC Welcome

09:00

OPENING REMARKS

Morning Co-Chairs’ Opening Remarks

David Cooke, Permanent Secretary Leadership Communications & Engagement Lead, Home Office

Nicola Pearson, Director of Communications, British Airways

09:10

PANEL Q&A

High-Impact Employee Experiences & Engagement

Supercharge Employee Engagement & Motivation With People-Centric Comms That Promote Productivity, Morale & Long-Term Employee Buy-In

Make employees feel seen and heard by responding to their needs! Craft tailored, audience-led IC content that excites, inspires and motivates while avoiding invasive micro-management
Keep your brand on track with bespoke communications with a clear narrative that aligns expectations across the board and puts your brand values front and centre
Gain invaluable insights and real-world case studies from top UK brands – how are other businesses utilising the far-reaching power of IC to engage and retain employee attention? How can you adapt these practical and actionable tips for your own brand?
Speak to hearts and minds! In uncertain and unsettling times, how can your IC strategies avoid employee alienation and reassure your workforce that the future is bright?

Sarah Tait, Workplace Adoption Lead, Lloyds Bank

Anisha Mistry-Jones, Internal Communications Manager, Which?

Lee Irving, Head of Employee Communications & Engagement, Thames Water

09:40

MAIN STAGE PRESENTATION

Maximising Limited Budgets

Utilise Innovate & Inventive IC Strategies To Achieve Maximum Value From Affordable Content To Suit Any Company Size & Budget

Make every penny count! Explore methods for optimising reach and engagement to deliver world-class internal communications that do not break the bank
Be discerning and selective – know how, when, and where to deploy your best IC content to ensure that it truly cuts through for maximum impact
Streamline storytelling to promote brand values and foster internal loyalty through limited messaging
Get creative! Analyse original, eye-catching IC strategies that think outside the box to find a methodology that works for you

Joe Quick, Internal Communications Director, EMEA APAC, Molson Coors Beverage Company

10:00

MAIN STAGE PRESENTATION

Brand-New Hybrid Workforce & Remote Engagement Strategies

Innovate & Inspire With Wide-Reaching Communication Frameworks That Speak To All Levels & Connect With Hybrid, Remote & Harder-To-Reach Employees

As hybrid working becomes an increasingly dominant aspect of modern work culture, how can you ensure that remote and hard-to-reach workers receive the same level of comms and attention as their office-based counterparts?
Investigate the best tools, strategies, and methodologies for speaking effectively to all workers, spanning across geographical, generational and cultural barriers
Ensure no employee is left behind! How can your IC strategies promote a unified workforce and ensure that employees in widespread locations are engaged not just with the company but with each other?
No two workers are the same – understand the immediate and long-term needs that come with different employee roles and adapt your comms strategies to ensure everyone feels seen and heard

Ilaria Galfredi, Business Support & Development Manager, Air France

Alf Rodway, General Manager, Air France

10:20

BONUS SESSION

Reserved For Exclusive Conference Partner

Want To Get Involved? Get In Contact With Our Partnerships Team – partner@commsconference.com

10:50

MORNING BREAK

Morning Refreshment Break With Informal Networking

11:20

MAIN STAGE PRESENTATION

AI, Automation, Strategic Tech & Digital

Boost Your IC Efficiencies By Effectively Integrating AI & Cutting-Edge New Tech & Digital Developments Which Future-Proof Your Business & Add Real Value

Embrace the future! If AI is inevitable, how can you best harness it as a powerful tool to simplify and streamline comms and reduce time-consuming workloads?
Machine learning, gamification, behavioural science – what trends are here to stay, and how will they affect the IC world in the near future?
Utilise the latest social channels and online platforms to provide simple problem-solving solutions that work for your budget
Old meets new! How can effective and thorough training ensure that tools and processes are being used efficiently to engage new staff and avoid alienating established workers?

SPEAKERS TO BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY

11:40

PANEL Q&A

Culture, Change & Wellbeing

Foster Progressive & Protective Company Cultures By Embedding Wellbeing Into The Heart Of IC Practices & Promoting Authentic Connections At All Levels

Inspire leaders to engage with best practices in wellbeing and health to create an inclusive community that avoids employee turnover and drives long-term loyalty and retention
Nurture a culture that allows employees to speak openly and honestly about physical and mental health, and have a clear roadmap for practical support that works in reality and doesn’t just look good on paper
Phone calls, web chats, in-person meetings – how can you utilise all channels and communications to ensure that employees feel valued, heard, supported, and empowered?
Crisis comms: from geopolitics to the cost-of-living crisis, in the current climate the only certainty is uncertainty! How can your IC strategies boost collaboration, resilience, and a framework for mutual support?

Emma Berry, Senior Director & Global Lead, Biopharma Colleague Communications & Engagement, Pfizer

Catherine Brooks, Head of Internal Communications & Engagement, Affinity Water

Richard Hale, Internal Comms Manager, The RSA

Laura Holland, Internal Communications Manager, Croydon Council

John Townsend, Head of Internal Communications, Unicef UK

12:10

MAIN STAGE PRESENTATION

ED&I – Making IC More Inclusive

Cement Equality, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging Into The Heart Of Business Practices For Truly Accessible Internal Communications With Real & Authentic Impact

Make sure all voices are heard! Uncover key lessons from employee feedback to adapt and tailor your IC strategies and speak authentically to all workers at all levels
Make ED&I more than just a box-ticking exercise by keeping practical and applicable inclusivity at the heart of your internal communications and company culture
Cement the importance of diversity, inclusion and equality in senior management priorities to ensure best practices and genuine consideration are coming all the way from the top

Gemma Webb, Head of Diversity & Inclusion, Barratt Developments plc

12:30

MAIN STAGE PRESENTATION

Measuring Success, Impact & ROI

Validate Your IC Achievements With Quantifiable Metrics & Measurement Strategies Which Demonstrate Real, Tangible Value To Senior Leaders & Stakeholders

Share your success stories! Investigate the measurement methods and metrics that can translate raw IC data into a coherent narrative with a clear message
Engage C-Suite and senior decision-makers with tailored language, actionable strategies and demonstrable financial results which showcase brand value and establishes IC’s worth
Get to the heart of what employees are saying – discover brand new and innovative means of harvesting employee feedback that go beyond simple polls and forms, and highlight what truly is (and isn’t) working at the heart of your company
How can you translate feedback into action? Convert your metrics into next-step strategies that highlight real-world and bottom-line benefits of cutting-edge IC

Anthony Aston, Head of Internal Communications, HS2

12:50

LUNCH BREAK

Lunch & Informal Networking For Speakers, Delegates & Partners

13:20

DELEGATE DISCUSSIONS

Informal Breakout Discussions

a) Language Barriers

b) Crisis Comms

c) Change Management

d) Employee Networks

e) Mission, Purpose & Values

13:55

OPENING REMARKS

Afternoon Co-Chairs’ Opening Remarks

Gerrard Hartland, Deputy Head of Internal Communications, NHS Blood & Transplant

Kevin Johnson, Transformation Communications Lead, Corporate Affairs, AWE

14:05

PANEL Q&A

The Strategic Role Of IC

Leverage Your Proven IC Results To Showcase Comms As An Integral Business Function & Power Long-Term Confidence & Strategic Trust

Learn by example! Gather cutting-edge insights from leading IC strategists on how to gain C-Suite investment, steer strategic direction and prove real value
Not just for crises! Cement IC as a key driver in everyday business practice that fosters strong inter-company relationships and transparent, honest conversations
How can effective collaboration between IC, HR and marketing departments keep the whole business machine firing on all cylinders?
Secure your seat at the top table! Highlight the bottom-line results and key strategic benefits that demonstrate the value of IC as a critical business partner

Natalie Spencer, Head of Internal Communications – Global Banking & Markets, Global Commercial Banking, HSBC

Frankie Freeman-Day, Head of Internal & Executive Communications EMEA, YouTube

Laura Colantuono, Head of Internal Communications, Fremantle

14:35

MAIN STAGE PRESENTATION

Cut Through Channels & Content

Streamline Messaging & Maximise Meaningful Engagement By Delivering High Quality Content Through The Optimum Channel Mix

Value and respond to employee feedback in order to streamline clear and straightforward messaging that prioritises quality and importance, and truly works for all parties
A meeting or an email? Strike the right balance between messaging platforms, both digital and face-to-face, to retain employee satisfaction by avoiding growing frustrations and wasted resources
Messaging that matters! Analyse the volume, content, and channel mix in your internal comms strategies to create a rewarding employee experience that promotes your organisational values while avoiding bombardment and over-communicating
Integrate the latest tech advances and cutting-edge platforms while still utilising tried-and-trusted comms strategies to engage employees at all levels

Helen Hartley, Head of Campaigns, HMRC

14:55

BONUS SESSION

Reserved For Exclusive Conference Partner

Want To Get Involved? Get In Contact With Our Partnerships Team – partner@commsconference.com

15:25

AFTERNOON BREAK

Afternoon Refreshment Break With Informal Networking

16:05

MAIN STAGE PRESENTATION

Empower & Inspire Leaders

Level-Up Leaders With The Tools & Tactics To Foster Clear Communication, Secure Senior Buy-In & Enfranchise Stakeholders At All Levels

Cut through the jargon! From middle management to C-Suite, equip and enable leaders to unlock their inner communicators with authentic, transparent, and inspiring messaging
Showcase the bottom-line value and demonstrable results of effective IC to increase leadership buy-in and encourage managers to harness IC tools
Break down barriers, strengthen professional relationships and avoid gatekeeping by encouraging confident, meaningful comms from the top down
From sustainability and ED&I to AI and new tech, ensure leaders are up to speed with the latest developments in order to lead from the front and speak from a confident and informed standpoint

Sanjay Mistry, Internal Communications Lead, Wellcome Trust

16:20

MAIN STAGE PRESENTATION

Exclusive Internal Communications Case Study With Virgin Money

Internal Communications Case Study With Virgin Money

The importance of human connection in creating and sustaining inclusive cultures
Allyship as a vehicle for mindset shifts
How we became organisationally BRAVER

Viv McSweeney, Head of DE&I, Employer Brand & Talent Acquisition, Virgin Money

16:40

PANEL Q&A

The Future Of IC: Real-World Lessons, Overcoming Barriers & Pitfalls

Plan Ahead To Keep Ahead! Bolster Your IC Strategies Against Future Uncertainty To Maintain Momentum & Mitigate Disruption

What might the future hold? Explore forward-thinking insights and up-to-the- minute strategies from the top brands’ IC champions
Examine the tech innovations and new trends that are just around the corner – what will stick? How can this be seamlessly integrated to leave no employee behind?
How can IC best serve the new hybrid workplace? Tailor your content to align expectations, from leadership to new intake, with real-world pressures and influences
With lower budgets and constant external change, prime and upskill your comms to keep pace and maintain your key positioning

Angelah Evans, Internal Communications Manager, Guy’s & St Thomas’ Foundation