08.30 Registration, Informal Networking & GIC Welcome
09.00 Morning Co-Chairs’ Opening Remarks
Louise Phillips, Global Head of Communications & Corporate Affairs, R&D, Unilever
Stacey Minton, SVP, Head of Corporate Affairs, Kyowa Kirin International plc
Proactive Reputation Strategies
Key Updates
09.10 Power Robust, Proactive & Long-Term Reputation Strategies That Effectively Meet The Needs Of A Shifting World To Deliver Reputation-Boosting, Value-Adding Communications
- In a constantly changing and evolving global situation, how can reputation strategies be built with the flexibility to adapt to the moment, whilst still sticking to core brand principles?
- With so much happening in the world to contend with, how can reputation management and corporate comms teams deliver reputation-boosting PR that manages to cut through the news cycle and deliver real results?
- When reputational crisis can leave senior leaders bruised, what strategies can reinvigorate the appetite for proactive PR and go about rebuilding robust reputations?
Jill Pearcy, Director Reputation, ABPI
Sustainability & ESG
Panel & Q&A
09.30 Tread The Thin Line Of Sustainability Communications & Build Powerful ESG Reputations With Brand New, Authentic & Cut-Through Comms Strategies
- With so much news to cut through, what can organisations do to ensure their communications around sustainability are reaching the right target audiences?
- How can sustainability be communicated effectively in hard-to-abate sectors and be turned into a tool for positive reputational development?
- From greenwashing to greenhushing? When pushback can come from any direction from sustainability claims, how can comms professionals tread this ever-thinning line?
Daisy Hawker Wallace, Deputy Director & Head of PR, Avanti West Coast
Andrew Hansen, Director of Communications, Europe, Middle East, Africa & India, UPS
Gift Sally Akinyi O, Communications Manager, Womankind Worldwide
Emma Young, Group Corporate Affairs Director, Moneysupermarket Group
Will Aitkenhead, Head of Corporate & Industry Affairs, Ascot Racecourse
10.00 Bonus Session; Reserved For Exclusive Conference Partner – Signal AI
Social Media Strategies
10.15 Showcase Social Success With Cut-Through Content & Build An Authentic Brand Voice Online Whilst Protecting Reputations From Potential Damage On Social Media
- With an ever more complex series of channels to contend with, how can organisations develop strong monitoring systems that detect social media crises as and when they appear?
- What effective steps can communicators take to stomp out emerging social media firestorms before they gather momentum?
- It’s not just about crisis, it’s about finding a voice! Develop an authentic brand tone of voice on social media that resonates with audiences and truly cuts through the noise
Daniel Valentine, Head of Communication, The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland
10.35 Morning Refreshment Break With Informal Networking
11.05 Bonus Session; Reserved For Exclusive Conference Partner – Ipsos
Impactful & Authentic Crisis Comms
Panel & Q&A
11.25 Take Back Control Of The Narrative In Crisis Situations & Deliver Authentic Communications That Protect Reputations & Alleviate Long-Term Damage
- When is a crisis not a crisis? How can communicators develop the skills to know when a crisis needs powerful, immediate action, and when a reputational threat will burn out before it’s out of control?
- How can organisations build resilience into crisis plans and team structures to be effectively equipped to weather crisis when it arrives?
- “We’re taking this issue very seriously”… ensure your reputation management and crisis comms strategies have authenticity and sincerity at the heart to reassure consumers and protect brand image
- Getting through the crisis is just the start, so how can brands begin to rebuild reputations once the storm has passed with robust comms?
Sacha Thomas, Internal Communications Content Manager, River Island
Winston Eavis, Director of Communications, Airbnb
Anna O’Sullivan, Director, Corporate Affairs, Assessment & Qualifications, UK, Pearson
Candida Hilton, Head of Consumer & Corporate Communications, Getir
James Barge, Senior Director of Corporate Affairs & Communications, Asda
Oliver Wall, Chief of Staff & Head of Corporate Affairs, Bank of Ireland Group
Andrew Escott, Head of Corporate Affairs for the EU Cluster, Bristol Myers Squibb
Diversity & Inclusion
11.55 Continue To Prioritise & Deliver Powerful & Forward-Thinking Communications On Equity, Diversity & Inclusion In The Face Of The Culture Wars
- As society is more polarised than ever, how can brands find boldness with their comms around diversity and inclusion to truly stand out from the crowd authentically?
- Keep pace with the evolving language of EDI and ensure your comms meets the moment and effectively showcases your genuine diversity commitment
- How can organisations advance their EDI programmes and deliver more on diversity in the face of a complex and shifting geopolitical landscape?
12.15 Bonus Session; Reserved For Exclusive Conference Partner
AI & New Tech In Corporate Communications
Panel & Q&A
12.30 Safeguard Brand Integrity & Cultivate Trust With Stakeholders Whilst Leveraging New Opportunities AI & New Tech Present For Reputation Management & Corporate Comms
- With AI’s benefits come risks! What can comms professionals do to protect brands and reputations from malfeasant AI usage, such as deepfakes and misinformation?
- Where will AI bring the most practical value for comms professionals and truly push the industry forwards?
- It’s a lot easier for people to ignore misinformation if they trust you already… how can organisations drive trust with stakeholders and minimise the impact AI misuse can have on their brand?
Lisa Timothy, External Affairs Director, Takeda UK & Ireland
Anupa Devi, Corporate Communications Manager, Go-Ahead Group
Morgan Bone, Head of Corporate Affairs, Virgin Money
Rajan Lakhani, Head of PR & Comms, Plum
Haider Nazar, Co-Founder & CEO, MAHA Global
13.00 Lunch & Informal Networking For Speakers, Delegates & Partners
14.00 Afternoon Co-Chairs’ Opening Remarks
Sophie Timms, Corporate Affairs Director, Kier Group
Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe, Head of Engagement, Cabinet Office
14.10 Bonus Session; Reserved For Exclusive Conference Partner – Brandwatch
14.25 Informal Peer-To-Peer Discussions
a) Government Relations
Jayne Almond, Head of Public Affairs, UK&I, Deliveroo
b) Comms On A Budget
Patrick Leahy, Director of Communications, Royal College of Surgeons of England
c) Engaging Media & Journalists
Ben Wiseman, Head Of Corporate Affairs, LTA
d) Employee Advocacy
Chris Dugmore, Regional Corporate Affairs Director, Mars Food & Nutrition Europe
e) Change Comms
Ellie Buckingham, Senior Manager, Transformation & Change Communications, BT Group
f) Critical Hours Comms
Andrew Commons, Head of External Communication, Southeastern Railway
Internal Communication & Engagement
14.50 Drive Strategic Internal Communications That Power Internal & External Brand & Maintain and Improve Reputation
- Deliver powerful and engaging internal comms that boost employee engagement and maintain and develop a reputation as an organisation people want to work for
- Develop powerful employee advocacy campaigns and harness your employees’ authentic voices to be an internal and external reputation driver
- How can comms professionals strike the right balance when managing crisis communications; keeping employees informed and maintaining positive relationships whilst supporting a calm, collegiate working culture.
Samantha Lancet-Grant, Director of Communications, UCL
Georgie Cade, Head of Communications, UCL
15.10 Bonus Session; Reserved For Exclusive Conference Partner
Aon Case Study
15.25 In An Increasingly Volatile World, We’ll Be Looking Back At Some Of The Challenging Events Over The Last Five Years & How We Responded As A Firm To Support Our Colleagues, Clients & Communities
Aliyah Zaidi, Communications Business Partner, UK, Aon
Jo Loerns, Head of Internal Communications, UK, Aon
15.45 Afternoon Refreshment Break With Informal Networking
Managing Global Reputational Risks
Panel & Q&A
16.15 Protect Reputations From Harm By Effectively Communicating With Authenticity Around Complex Geopolitical Issues
- With 2024 being the year of elections and the increased potential for geopolitical upheaval across the globe, how can comms professionals mitigate potential reputational risks from geopolitical change?
- How should organisations determine when they should communicate around geopolitical issues such as conflict, and when their voice isn’t needed in the conversation?
- Political pushback against so-called ‘woke’ businesses can come when you least expect it, so how can organisations pre-empt potential issues and get ahead of the curve?
- How can businesses ensure that global and local comms are singing from the same hymn sheet, and ensure consistent messaging around complex and emotive topics?
Cristina Macina, Head of Communications Zone Asia, Oceania, Africa, Nestlé
Pasca Lane, Director of Corporate Communications, British Red Cross
Nick Lakin, Group Corporate Affairs Director, Kingfisher plc
Duncan West, Group Head of Corporate Communications, Bupa
Samuel Heath, Director of Communications, INTERPOL
Louis Drakes, Strategic Reputation Advisor, Status Labs
The Power Of Accessibility & Inclusivity In Marketing: Why It Matters
16.45 In today’s diverse and ever-evolving marketplace, accessibility and inclusivity are more than just buzzwords; they are essential components of effective communication and marketing strategies. Join us for an engaging talk that explores why considering accessibility and inclusivity is crucial for communications and marketing professionals. We’ll delve into the tangible benefits of creating inclusive content that resonates with a broader audience, from expanding your market reach to fostering brand loyalty. Learn how to craft messages that are not only inclusive but also accessible to all, including those with disabilities.
Quarina Sultana, Head of Digital Engagement, RNIB
17.05 Afternoon Chairs’ Closing Remarks & Official Close Of Conference
