5th Annual | One-Day, Industry-Led Conference & Networking Exhibition, London Marriott Hotel Regents Park | 16th September 2026
08.15 Registration & Informal Networking
OPENING REMARKS
09.00 GIC Welcome & Morning Co-Chairs’ Opening Remarks
Amie Tsang, Head Of Executive & Corporate Communications, Channel 4
Priya Brahmbhatt Patel, Director Of Communications, Ofgem
Combatting Misinformation & Disinformation
09.10 Ensure Accuracy By Combatting Incorrect & Malicious Actors & Adapt To The New World Of False Information
- How can companies ensure that the most accurate information is being relayed, and that their voice drowns out incorrect info?
- With incorrect info spreading further and faster online, how can comms professionals across all sectors promote correct information and elevate trusted sources?
- How, can and when should companies handle the reputational crises that come with the malignant outpouring of false information? Does fanning the fire only make things worse?
- Discuss best-practices to prevent false information accumulating and evolving, and become a torch-bearer for truth and accuracy amongst the noise
Instability In Today’s Geopolitical Landscape
PANEL Q&A
09.30 Provide A Unified Front In Polarising Times: Ensure A Wider Audience By Staying Apolitical – Or Harness Your Brand Voice To Connect With The Right Audiences
- How is the bleed from international politics affecting comms teams in seemingly unrelated areas, and how can companies best prepare for unexpected backlash?
- With the global spiderweb of connections between organisations, how can we strive to keep the peace and build relationships across borders to secure long-lasting business in the midst of erratic political and economic barriers?
- When customers are striving more than ever to understand each business, its investors and assets, should organisations aim to morally and politically align themselves with their ideal clientele?
- Harness strategies to thrive in this VUCA environment, adapting to the new pace of change and bracing to tackle the next crisis
Jon Elliott, Head Of Corporate Affairs For Northern Europe, Haleon Plc
David Hass, Director Of Corporate Affairs, Nationwide Building Society
Richard Gard, Director & Head Of External & Government Affairs Africa, Middle East, India, Europe, Oceania, Nissan
10.10 Bonus Session; Reserved For Exclusive Conference Partner
Dual Literacy: Relationships Plus Algorithms – Reading The Code & The Room
EXCLUSIVE CASE STUDY
10.25 The Advancement Of Technical Knowledge Within The Comms Role
Join David Jenkins, Senior Media Relations Manager at the UK Intellectual Property Office as he leads us through the changing nature of the comms role and the increasing requirements to keep pace with advancements in new technology and AI.
David Jenkins, Senior Media Relations Manager, Intellectual Property Office
10.45 Morning Refreshment Break With Informal Networking
Building Brand Trust
11.15 Build Reputations From The Inside Out By Developing Powerful Trusted Brands Internally That Can Echo Outside The Organisation
- Encourage internal stakeholders to truly believe in the brand image that you want to project and bring people along on your brand journey
- By practicing transparency and authenticity through all communications, how can companies become best equipped to tackle false information or viral incidents?
- Earn the trust of stakeholders by having the hardest conversations and taking accountability through communications
Hannah Butler, Senior Manager – Sustainability Communications, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners
11.35 Bonus Session; Reserved For Exclusive Conference Partner
The Changing Role of Media, Journalism & Influencers
11.50 Harness The Changing Trends In Media Usage & Press Coverage To Stay In Control Of Your Reputation Across Platforms
- How can companies thrive in a buzz-driven social media environment, where journalists are often picking up news directly from social media?
- Harness strategies to best cope with the changing trends to stay relevant and covered when the public are getting information from influencers and new media voices
- Develop a more concrete approach to the disclosure of AI use in reputation-driven output – how can the field standardise and codify its approach?
- How can companies address issues and repair damaged reputations when dealing with misinformation amplified by media and journalists?
Andrew Hansen, Senior Director Of Communications, Europe, Middle East & Africa, UPS
12:10 The Changing Role of Media, Journalism & Influencers – Open Forum
AI As An Audience
12.30 Adapt Your Comms To Interact With The AI Tools Influencing Your Audience’s Views & Boost Messaging In An Age Of AI-First Search
- How can brands continue to optimise their appearance in searches when the frameworks surrounding SEO/AEO have changed so drastically?
- How can organisations respond to crises when everyone is looking for answers in different places and on different platforms?
- How can professionals optimise their comms for AI search and summaries, whilst maintaining some semblance of a brand tone of voice?
Rory Stoves, Head Of External Communications, London Fire Brigade
Move To Perform: How I Future-Proofed My Comms Function From The Boardroom Down
EXCLUSIVE CASE STUDY
12.50 Having A Seat At The Table & Making Strategic Decisions
Join Jerina Hardy, Corporate Affairs Director at Müller UK & Ireland as she explores the function of her comms team – and the shift that has made them sharper, more resilient, and better-equipped for the high-stakes communications challenges that appear on the desk each day.
Jerina Hardy, Corporate Affairs Director, Müller UK & Ireland
13.10 Lunch & Informal Networking For Speakers, Delegates & Partners
14.10 Afternoon Co-Chairs’ Opening Remarks
Ifem Onuora, Head Of Race, Equality & Inclusion, FA Premier League
Pearl Saadi, Corporate Communications Director, Guys & St Thomas’ Foundation
Government Relations & Uncertainty In The UK
PANEL Q&A
14.20 Build Strong Foundations To Prepare For Any Political Eventuality & Ensure You Hit The Ground Running Amidst Volatility
- How can companies ground themselves in this constantly changing political landscape to promote a consistent brand image despite the shifting tides?
- How can businesses engage with rising political parties and actors, whilst mitigating internal or external reputation challenges?
- As sustainability becomes more polarising as an issue, how do organisations balance their objectives with the prevailing political winds?
- Develop a stronger foundation for reputation-driven communications to manage the polarisation of current media platforms
Tim Morris, Group Head Of Corporate Communications, Associated British Ports
Guy Mason, Head Of Public Affairs, HEINEKEN UK
Claire-Marie Mason, Head Of Communications, RNLI
Alieda Moore-Berry, Senior Vice President, Government Affairs & Digital Policy, UK & Europe, Citi
Pete McManus, Senior Government Relations Manager, Sainsbury’s
Charles Gibson, Senior Communications Manager, Head Of Comms Hub, Corps Of Royal Engineers
Growing Reputation To Position, Promote & Protect Your Company
EXCLUSIVE CASE STUDY
15.00 Reputation As A New Lingua Franca For Corporate Affairs & Senior Leadership Teams
Join Steven Shepperson-Smith, Reputation Lead at Vodafone Group Plc, as he outlines how active reputation measurement will help corporate affairs teams to gain a more strategic and influential position within organisations.
Steven Shepperson-Smith, Reputation Lead, Vodafone Group Plc
15.20 Afternoon Refreshment Break With Informal Networking
Crisis Communications
PANEL Q&A
15.50 Coping With Crisis In An Age Of Instant Shares: Boost Social Media Monitoring & Utilise AI To Tackle Snowballing Issues
- How can reputation functions be seen as a strategic partner throughout business protocols, ensuring clear protocols and responsibilities across business when crisis hits?
- How can professionals ensure that every function within the organisation is prepared to handle crises in a cohesive and structured manner?
- Harness real strategies for AI use in crisis – can AI really bring to reality the possibility of drafting comms responses in seconds?
- How can AI and monitoring techniques be utilised to catch a snowballing incident before it escalates beyond your control?
- In an era of uncertainty and ‘perma-crisis’, how can comms teams possibly stay prepared for such a vast array of outcomes?
Janine Meech, Senior Manager Trust Communications – EMEA & LATAM, LinkedIn
Caroline Ledger, Senior Corporate Communications, Macmillan Cancer Support
Lauren Pogson, Head Of Communications, Evri
Ross Cameron, Head Of Regulatory Developments, NatWest
Justin Jeffreys, Head Of Media Relations, ITV
Anna Jones, Global Communications Director, Twinings
The Future Of The Comms Role
PANEL Q&A
16.30 Future-Proof The Comms Role! Ensure A Seat At The Table, Harness AI To Maximise Efficiency & Build Resilience Amongst Comms Professionals To Inspire The Next Generation
- How is the role of comms changing within new frameworks? How can we utilise AI to improve the role, not steal it?
- What can comms and PR professionals do to keep their seat at the table, so that reputation is consistently at the forefront of business decisions?
- In times of severe budget cuts, how can each function bring distinct value to the organisation to avoid the merging of teams and roles?
- Prove the resilience of comms professionals and inspire the next generation of young workers to strengthen the role and the value it brings
Jordan Gibbons, Head Of PR, Northern Europe, Maserati
James Hotson, Head Of Strategic Communications & Deputy Head Of The Communications Profession, Bank Of England
Laura Harvey, Director Of Communications & Corporate Affairs, Autotrader
Marcus Chrysostomou, Head Of Communications & Engagement, London Borough Of Havering
Jenny Hall, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Royal Mail & International Distribution Services
Neil Fleming, Head Of Group Media & Executive Communications, HSBC
Nisha Dupuis, Culture & Communications Coordinator, Five Guys
17.10 Afternoon Co-Chairs’ Closing Remarks & Official Close Of Conference
