Two-staged process to refresh and transform comms and marketing

This global humanitarian charity has grown significantly in the last 10 years. My first engagement was triggered by the new CEO who recognised the need to modernise the charity’s approach to comms and marketing as a critical enabler of awareness raising, brand building and fundraising.

SERVICE: Fractional Comms Director (2015/16), then Permanent Global Comms Director (2023 -2025)

During my first tenure, I conducted a communications audit and secured budget approval for priority workstreams, including a brand refresh and overhaul of digital channels. I led these projects, as well as a more proactive approach to media
outreach, which resulted in significant global coverage. My final task was to support the recruitment of talent to take everything forward.

In 2023, I returned to HALO as permanent Global Director of Communications. The organisation was going through a period of rapid transformation and growth, and the comms function needed to catch up fast. Having secured Board approval for an initial 2-year investment plan, I grew the UK team from 3 – 11 and guided the recruitment colleagues elsewhere including in the US and Ukraine. Other achievements included:

  • Led a digital comms and marketing transformation to establish fit-for-purpose digital platforms,
    configured and integrated to support comms, marketing and fundraising, with robust monitoring
    and reporting
  • Empowered a remote team to deliver high profile global media coverage and increase social
    media engagement through a targeted and segmented content strategy
  • Scoped strategy and KPIs for a more integrated, news-led approach to digital comms aimed at
    positioning HALO as a thought leader
  • Established more collaborative ways of working and professionalised comms functions including
    the Press Office
  • Initiated a programme of work to upskill programme colleagues as spokespeople and content
    creators