The MPF Communications Leaders' Group is a discussion group for experienced and senior communications specialists working within organisations providing professional, financial and other knowledge-based services to business.
Re-launched and reinvigorated for 2009, the Leaders' Group focuses on those communication issues, both internally and externally focused, that matter most within our sector – from communicating difficult messages to a sceptical workforce and embracing social media, through to safeguarding your firm's brand and reputation and the fine art of employee engagement.
The Leaders' Group will run a programme of events and research designed to help MPF members engage their various stakeholders, drive through change and build, protect and enhance their brands and reputations.
Our aims are to:
- Enhance the contribution of communications experts within professional services to management discussions.
- Promote the role of communications experts working within professional services in the eyes of their employers.
We will achieve these aims by:
- Linking communications experts and others within professional services who are interested in the specialism through a formal network.
- Focusing on those communications issues, both internal and external, that matter most within the sector.
- Organising events and surveys that help members engage their various stakeholders, drive through change and build, protect and enhance their brands and reputations.
- Identifying and sharing best practice internal and external communication approaches and their practical application within a professional services environment.
EVENTS
The Communications Leaders' Group provides a forum for exchanging ideas and sharing good practice. The Leaders' Groups emphasis will be on imparting practical advice derived from first-hand experience - and providing the opportunity for discussion on an informal and open basis.
Our events are usually run in London, providing both educational and networking opportunities for MPF and Leaders' Group members. As a membership organisation, all our meetings are member only. However, those interested in joining are welcome to attend one event as our guest in order to get a feel for the Leaders' Group.
KNOWLEDGE
Structured: Leaders' Group Directors work with committee members to create online surveys on relevant topics, analyse results and publish the findings for free in the public domain.
Ad hoc: A member sends a question to mpfpulse@pmint.co.uk. HQ canvasses experts and members, and publishes a summary of contributions.
COMMITTEE
Chair: Keith Hardie has over 20 years experience in communication. He currently heads up communication for law firm Berwin Leighton Paisner, covering internal communication, public relations, events, website and desk top publishing. His internal communication approach was named Internal Communication Initiative of the Year at The Lawyer HR Awards and he initiated a campaign that was shortlisted for the MPF's PR Campaign of the Year. He was also nominated as City/National PR Professional of the Year at the Legal Marketing Awards. Previously he headed communication at Whitbread's Premier Travel Inn, was worldwide head of communication for Thames Water, and led communication for the Post Office's retail arm.
Co-Director: Ben Girdlestone joined HeadLand in 2010 and has sixteen years of agency and in-house experience in the financial services and professional services sector, including Lloyds TSB, Ashurst and Bird & Bird. Ben has worked on campaigns for leading property and financial services brands, including the launch of Smile, one of the UK’s first internet banks.
Co-Director: Joanna Trezise has spent more than ten years as a corporate communications consultant, developing particular expertise in advising businesses in the financial and professional services sector. She joined The HeadLand Consultancy in 2008 from Fishburn Hedges, where she was an Associate Director. Previously, she spent five years at Gavin Anderson & Company. She has worked on a wide range of assignments for UK and global businesses, covering strategic communications planning, media relations, internal communications, stakeholder engagement and marketing communications. In recent years, she has found herself drawn to the particular challenges of the professional services sector and has worked with law, accountancy, recruitment and restructuring firms.
Richard Batson joined Allen & Overy LLP as Head of Internal Communications in 2007. He is responsible for communication with partners and staff across the global firm. Richard was previously Head of Internal Communications for Ofsted, the inspector and regulator of schools and childcare in England, and prior to that Employee Communications Manager at Invensys, the international automation and controls company.
MEMBERSHIP
Two independent referees are required. Leaders' Group membership is free for 'Full 'MPF members and £500 plus admission fee for others.
Consultants are only eligible for Leaders' Group membership in exceptional circumstances. Membership renews on 1 July with a sliding scale in the first year. If interested, please complete the registration form.
DETAILS OF OUR NEXT EVENT
