Build Brand Trust, Navigate Crisis & Unlock AI-Enhanced Communication Success:
Expert-Led Corporate Communication Strategies For Lasting Impact Through Global Uncertainty & Change
AI: Practical Implementation & Proven Strategies • Geopolitics & Government Relations • Crisis Comms Strategies • Stakeholder Management • Social Media & Digital Channel Mixes • Budgets • Comms In Regulated Spaces • Internal Comms & Employee Engagement • ED&I Comms • Measuring Success • ESG Comms • Storytelling & Content
10th Annual One-Day Conference & Networking Exhibition | 11th February 2026 | One America Square, London
You will shortly receive an email with a further £20 off, if you don’t receive your discount please email
info@corporatecommsconference.com
08.15 Registration & Informal Networking
OPENING REMARKS
09.00 GIC Welcome & Morning Co-Chairs’ Opening Remarks
Amy Butler, VP Corporate Communications, eToro
Rajan Lakhani, Head Of PR & Comms, Plum
CEO SPOTLIGHT
EXCLUSIVE SESSION | PANEL Q&A
09.10 Inside The CEO Mindset: Cement Corporate Comms Strategies As Central To Business To Secure Lasting Influence & Improve Reputation
- What do the C-Suite team expect from communications – both internally and externally? Align your function with executive priorities and demonstrate lasting value
- Reposition comms as a strategic driver through crafting narratives that earn influence, shape decisions and increase ROI
- As business models evolve, so do CEO expectations – how can comms functions adapt to stay match fit for tomorrow’s challenges
Sarah Hughes, Chief Executive Officer, Mind
Rene Frey, CEO, Rough Guides
Elham Fardad, Founder & CEO, Migrant Leaders
Jon Dutton OBE, Chief Executive, British Cycling
Deborah Williams, CEO, The Women’s Association
GEOPOLITICS & GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
FIRESIDE CHAT
09.50 Enhance Government Relations & Leverage Insights Into Evolving Geopolitics To Strategically Navigate Complex & Volatile Environments, Avoid Misalignment & Remain Relevant
- Achieve balance in polarised stakeholder landscapes with strategic frameworks which maintain relationships while ensuring comms and engagement strategies remain impactful and aligned to business direction
- Global vs local: establish frameworks that balance brand consistency with local relevance to avoid damaging misalignment across global markets
- How can you build resilient comms strategies that protect corporate reputation while staying operationally agile in today’s volatile geopolitical climate?
- Develop ways to position your organisation as a trusted partner that provides stability through unprecedented uncertainty
George Robinson, Head Of Government Affairs, VodafoneThree
Alieda Moore-Berry, Senior Vice President, Government Affairs & Digital Policy, UK & Europe, Citi
Matthew Otubu, Head of Strategic Communications, Government Communication Service
10.10 The Strategic Comms OS: Rethinking Communication from the Ground Up
- Why communication output continues to grow while alignment, resonance and trust decline – and why this is not a skills problem, but a system failure
- How fragmented tools and Shadow AI quietly sabotage strategy – and how organisations move towards a connected communication ecosystem where AI amplifies clarity instead of noise
- How a single source of truth links strategy, narratives, topics, channels and teams – enabling communication to function as a strategic leadership system with measurable impact
Björn Bröhl, CEO , Scompler Technologies GmbH
10.25 Morning Refreshment Break With Informal Networking
AI: PRACTICAL IMPLEMENTATION & PROVEN STRATEGIES
PANEL Q&A
10.55 Harness The Real Opportunities Of AI To Strengthen Judgement, Build Trust, Safeguard Reputation & Drive Confident AI Adoption
- Apply AI with confidence! Integrate AI to strengthen core communications functions without compromising brand voice, judgement or quality
- Harness AI as a strategic asset whilst leveraging human strengths, ensuring nuance, stakeholder trust, and long-term reputation
- In a world where AI can draft emails, speeches, and press releases in seconds, how can authenticity and genuine human connection be maintained to ensure your comms remain credible and trusted?
- Unlock stakeholder buy-in and discover practical strategies to build cohesive internal adoption while managing legitimate concerns about AI integration
- The risks of deepfakes, misinformation, and synthetic media are already reshaping public discourse… examine new ways to protect your organisation’s reputation as the AI landscape evolves to ensure stakeholders know what is true and what is false
Emer Delaney, Director Of Communications, Chelsea & Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Nicola Green, Chief Communications & Corporate Affairs Officer, Virgin Media O2
Phil Hodge, Senior Sales Manager, Notified
Luke Mircea-Willats, Head Of Global Communications, Merz Therapeutics
11.25 When AI Fails Under Pressure: Risks of Using AI in Crises
- Generative AI tools like ChatGPT improve our productivity, so we spend less time on routine and repetitive tasks and more time on higher-value work. The danger lies in relying on ChatGPT to perform tasks that require confidentiality, critical thinking, or making high-stakes ethical decisions.
- In a crisis, the need for tight confidentiality of communication and the importance of legal and governance oversight cannot be overstated. How can we preserve this using chatbots to draft critical and sensitive messages?
- Another issue is the proliferation of AI-generated deepfakes, which can create and/or escalate crises and compromise the trustworthiness and quality of data, as well as the risks associated with inadvertently using such data.
- AI is a powerful tool, but an increased dependency on it is killing the insights that come from our human deep knowledge and experience.
- While AI can support crisis response, its risks include bias, lack of transparency, over reliance, ethical uncertainty, and technical failure—making human oversight essential.
Caroline Sapriel, Managing Partner, CS&A International
CRISIS COMMS
PANEL Q&A
11.40 Agile, Proactive, Real-World Crisis Comms Strategies Which Stay Ahead Of Emerging Situations & Minimise Chaos
- Proactive engagement matters! Build strong relationships and maintain frontline visibility to identify emerging issues and mitigate crises early
- Plans aren’t just paperwork – test, update, repeat! Enhance your crisis comms strategies with scenario testing, team awareness, and the right templates ready to go
- In today’s volatile environment, are you ready to respond at any moment? Unlock new insight into how to act efficiently during a crisis and rebuild trust in its aftermath
- From micro to macro: whether you’re in a regulated industry or a fast-moving market, ensure your processes align across the board to keep your brand resilient
Nicholas Carter, Director Of Corporate Communications, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners
Tom de Pass, Director Of Communications, Homes England
Steve Hartley, Head Of External Communications, Royal London
Laura Carter, Communications Director, Homes For Students
Emer Flood, Internal Communications Partner, Flutter Entertainment Plc
Tracy Truelove, EMEA Director Of Corporate Communication, Canon Inc.
SOCIAL MEDIA & DIGITAL CHANNEL MIXES
12.20 Cut Through Digital Noise! Sharpen Social Media & Channel Strategies, Drive Engagement, Build Authentic Presence & Earn Stakeholder Trust
- Channel chaos – too many options, too little impact! Simplify digital complexity to achieve a competitive advantage with clear frameworks which pinpoint the right channels that amplify your message and support business goals
- Drive meaningful action and break through the noise barrier with careful content creation and platform selection which will really capture your audience’s attention
- Master strategies to establish authentic digital presence that cuts through bot-filled feeds, earns genuine stakeholder trust, and inspires confidence
- Is traditional media losing its punch? Discover which digital channels move the needle and how to reallocate resources for maximum engagement and influence
Kasia Lukaszewska-Kehoe, Communications Director, Reckitt
ED&I IN COMMS
FIRESIDE CHAT
12.40 Lead ED&I Conversations With Confidence & Balance Global Landscapes, Build Engagement & Protect Trust Across Markets
- Discuss how shifts in public sentiment, politics, and regulation affect ED&I messaging and how to tailor your approach across different markets without compromising reputation
- Tackle ED&I issues within the industry with confidence, addressing real business needs while avoiding polarising debates
- How can you ensure ED&I resonates with your teams and turn policy into genuine engagement through authentic, compelling messaging?
- Through global uncertainty, unlock how to manage reputational risk, maintain trust, and continue attracting diverse talent in a rapidly changing environment
Alana Foster, Head Of Communications, Travelex
Edna Boampong, Director Of Communication & Engagement, Liverpool City Council
13.00 Lunch & Informal Networking For Speakers, Delegates & Partners
13.30 Breakout Sessions
A) Building Trust
Christine Richardson, Group Communications Director, Oxford University Press
B) Misinformation
Matthew Otubu, Head Of Strategic Communications, Government Communication Service
OPENING REMARKS
14.00 Afternoon Co-Chairs’ Opening Remarks
Zoe Melarkey, Director Of Communications, Coventry Building Society
Eduvie Martin, Group Communications & Engagement Manager, BAT
14.10 Now is the time: A blueprint for the future of corporate digital communications
In 2026, there is no such thing as business as usual. Generative Al and reputation pressures are changing almost everything. Though this brings uncertainty, we believe the best days for corporate digital information lie ahead. Caterina Sorenti, Head of Editorial and a Senior Consultant at Bowen Craggs, presents:
- The top-performing and most innovative companies in the latest edition of the Corporate Digital Communications Index Snapshot report
- Practical steps your team can take to thrive and stay relevant in this transformed landscape.
Caterina Sorenti, Head of Editorial, Senior Consultant, Bowen Craggs
STRATEGIC REPUTATION MANAGEMENT
PANEL Q&A
14.25 Future-Proof Reputation Management To Anticipate Risk, Shape Perception, Build Resilience & Protect Brand Trust
- Gain practical strategies to adapt your reputation approach and stay ahead of shifting perceptions and fast-changing audience behaviours
- Build bulletproof reputation systems! Walk away with proven frameworks for identifying and neutralising reputation risks before they escalate
- Turn your people into your strongest assets by building internal resilience and equipping employees to actively protect, promote and strengthen your brand
Adam Davison, Group Corporate Affairs Director, Holland & Barrett
Sophia Parviez, Communications Director, Booking.com
Marit Meyer-Bell, Head Of Corporate Communications, Travis Perkins plc
Andy Eastham, Head of PR, Media & Communications, Wendy Wu Tours
Elizabeth Holloway, Interim Head Of Communications, TalkTalk
INTERNAL COMMS & EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT
15.05 Drive Employee Engagement With Impact By Fostering Ownership, Navigating Uncertainty, Strengthening Loyalty & Fuelling Performance
- Transform internal comms into shared storytelling, giving people a sense of ownership and bringing them along on the organisation’s journey
- Communicate beyond policy updates and craft compelling narratives that connect with what employees truly care about, building loyalty, belonging, and deeper emotional engagement
- Tackle tough topics openly, manage uncertainty, and prevent damaging rumours from filling the gaps
Nisha Dupuis, Communications And Culture Coordinator, Five Guys
15.25 Afternoon Refreshment Break With Informal Networking
COMMS IN REGULATED SPACES
FIRESIDE CHAT
15.55 Turn Compliance Into Creativity: Reframe Regulatory Limits, Build Trusted Partnerships & Drive Strategic Impact
- Navigate complex regulatory landscapes with clear comms strategies and harness your ability to simplify and influence to drive real strategic impact
- Tackle regulatory constraints by turning them into compelling storytelling, leveraging regulatory frameworks as springboards for innovative messaging
- Discover how to engage with regulators and drive growth, positioning your brand as a trusted partner and unlocking new opportunities
Gareth Brown, Head Of External Communication, National Gas
MISINFORMATION & DISINFORMATION
EXCLUSIVE CASE STUDY
16.15 From National Security to Brand Security: What Governments Know About Misinformation – and Corporates Should Too
Matthew Otubu, Head of Strategic Communications, Government Communication Service
ESG & SUSTAINABILITY COMMS
FIRESIDE CHAT
16.35 Translate ESG Complexities Into Strategic Clarity, Credibility & Long-Term Reputation Strength
- Translate ESG language, metrics and policies into messages that are clear, actionable, and meaningful across the whole organisation
- Anticipate emerging ESG issues early, work cross-functionally, and build comms strategies that protect long-term trust
- How can brands prove their ESG commitments are real, credible, and resilient against greenwashing claims?
- Strengthen your brand by grounding ESG narratives in resilience, growth, and commercial value, not just purpose statements
Krystal Miller, Head Of Corporate Communications For Sustainability & Impact, UBS
Evie Horsell, Head Of Communications UK & Ireland, Big Mamma Group
MEASURING SUCCESS - PROVING VALUE & ROI
16.55 Prove Comms Value! Measure Trust, Demonstrate Impact, Build Leadership Confidence & Redefine ROI
- Redefine what ROI means for comms! Build practical frameworks that reflect the unique role communications plays, driving credibility, stakeholder confidence, and organisational resilience
- Equip yourself with measurement strategies that turn intangible outcomes into clear, proof of impact, ready for strategic conversations with senior leadership
- Master ways to demonstrate value for proactive risk management, crisis avoidance, and reputation protection that rarely show up in standard metrics
- Look beyond clicks! Measure trust, influence, and reputation to capture true comms impact
Robert Foster, Communications & Engagement Business Partner, Skipton Building Society
STORYTELLING & CONTENT
17.15 Master Storytelling As The Foundational Strategy For Comms In A World Competing Between The Human & The Digital
- Encourage a culture of kindness through choices in your comms channels – in an unstable world, how can comms professionals bring comfort to stakeholders in trying times?
- How can organisations translate creative storytelling into cross-platform narratives that work across channels, hook diverse audiences, and fuel growth and influence?
- How is AI reshaping storytelling? Explore how human communication skills remain at the core of influence and authentic engagement
Emer Delaney, Director Of Communications, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
17.35 Afternoon Chair’s Closing Remarks & Close Of Conference
