The Brief:

Transform and scale comms and marketing

I have been privileged to work for The HALO Trust over a number of years – the first time as an Interim when the new CEO joined, then as a Consultant and later as full-time Global Director of Communications.

Various roles: Consultant, Interim and Permanent

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During my first tenure, I conducted a strategic communications audit and secured budget approval for priority workstreams, including a brand refresh and overhaul of digital channels. The charity had no comms resource so I led these projects, as well as a media campaign which resulted in significant global coverage for the charity’s humanitarian work.

In 2020, I advised on a website refresh. When I returned to HALO as permanent Global Director of Communications at the beginning of 2023, the organisation was going through a period of rapid transformation and growth. The comms function needed to catch up fast in order to support the charity’s brand building and fundraising goals. Having secured Board approval for an initial 2-year investment plan, I grew the UK team from 3 – 11 and guided the recruitment and up-skilling of colleagues on programmes around the world.

I worked with the CEO and fellow Directors across all disciplines to deliver change communications. I also initiated a transformation programme to establish fit-for-purpose digital platforms, with robust monitoring and reporting. The expanded media and social media teams delivered high profile media coverage and an increasingly engaged audience in social channels. Notably, one campaign nudged a donor to pledge a significant seven-figure sum for one of HALO’s programmes.

Marcie Bell has been involved with The HALO Trust since 2016 when she helped with a rebrand. She worked full time for the charity from 2023 until 2025. In that time she oversaw a remarkable transformation of the comms output. From almost no cut-through with the general public, she helped HALO reach new audiences in the UK and abroad. HALO’s work in addressing the causes and consequences of conflict has never been more vital in this global era of war. But the charity would fail if it could not mobilise resources for its humanitarian work. Marcie helped HALO reach into social and traditional media, making important contributions on the key conflicts of the day in places like Ukraine, Syria and Gaza. As a result, HALO has tripled in size since 2016. She has left a hugely valuable legacy which will no doubt be mirrored with new clients into the future.

Major General James Cowan

CEO, The HALO Trust