The MPF Communications Panel 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 Panel 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 Panel 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 Panel provides a forum for exchanging ideas and sharing good practice. The first meeting – to be held on Monday 13 July – will unveil the results of our "Internal Communications: State of the Sector 2009" survey – an in-depth piece of research designed to establish what's working and what's not working within professional services internal communication. Whatever the focus, the Panel's 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 run in London, providing both educational and networking opportunities for MPF and Panel members. Events may be organised in other cities. 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 Panel.
KNOWLEDGE
Structured: Panel 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 - Keith 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: Simon Wright has specialised in marketing and communications for over 15 years, with the past decade focused on internal communications. He has worked and consulted for a number of large organisations across a variety of sectors, including financial and professional services, insurance, telecoms, retail and travel & tourism, both in the UK and the Middle East. In 2006, Simon co-founded the London-based internal communication consultancy, Gatehouse, which provides high quality, focused and results-driven internal communication advice and support to a range of private and public sector organisations.
Co-Director: Joanna Trezise - Joanna 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.
Thomas Freeman is the Director of Communications at Dewey & LeBoeuf. He is responsible for the internal and external communications of this global law firm. Prior to this role, Thomas was Editor of Legal Business magazine for several years, and was also the New York-based US Editor of Legal Business and the Legal 500 Client Guide.
Howard Krais is Director of Internal Communications for Ernst & Young Global Services, having joined E&Y at the end of November 2009. Howard has spent most of his career in internal communications, with much of that time working with professional service firms. He previously spent nearly 5 years leading internal communications at Eversheds LLP, a time that included twice winning a Legal Marketing Award for his work. Most recently Howard has spent the past 4 years working as an internal communications consultant getting involved in a variety of transformation and change programmes across a range of sectors.
Sean Twomey, joined Norton Rose as Head of Public Relations in 2004. Having originally qualified and practised as a solicitor specialising in personal injury claims, Sean represented the victims of the Watford, Southall and Paddington train crashes. His involvement with the media in this high profile litigation and Public Inquires prompted his move to Denton Wilde Sapte as PR manager and then to the magic circle law firm, Allen & Overy LLP. In his current role as Head of PR at Norton Rose, Sean manages a team of PR executives and is responsible for all of the firm's outward-facing media relations, incorporating regular press coverage, television and radio broadcasting.
Anna Ward joined Clifford Chance as Head of PR in London in 2004. She is principally responsible for promoting and protecting the reputation of the firm in the London market and is a member of the Firm's Communications Leadership Team that co-ordinates communications globally. Previously, she spent four years as the PR Manager at Berwin Leighton Paisner. In addition to her legal PR experience, she has experience of the financial services industry and has worked in-house and for PR consultancies in the UK and overseas.
MEMBERSHIP
Two independent referees are required. Panel membership is free for 'Full 'MPF members and £500 plus admission fee for others.
Consultants are only eligible for Panel 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 SURVEY
DETAILS OF OUR NEXT EVENT
Getting the message across ... communicating effectively in difficult times
Davis Langdon, 71 High Holborn, London, WC1V 6QS
Thursday 25 March 2010
One of the casualties of the recession in many organisations has been the trust of staff in their firm and their leadership. Professional services firms, where the audience is demanding and often highly sceptical, face particularly acute problems. Effective internal communication is a key ingredient in rebuilding trust and engagement, but getting it right in the current climate is far from easy.
Our speakers will give practical advice on how to tackle the issues, based on years of experience across different sectors. Bill Quirke, managing director of Synopsis, a specialist internal communications consultancy, is widely regarded as a leading thinker and speaker in this field. Keith Hardie, head of communications at Berwin Leighton Paisner, is one of the leading communications practitioners in professional services. There will be plenty of time for members to share their own experiences.
Bill Quirke
Synopsis
Bill Quirke is managing director of Synopsis, an internal communication consultancy with clients such as Accenture, AstraZeneca, BP, British Airways, Diageo, Lloyds TSB, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Pfizer, RBS, Rolls-Royce, Shell, Unilever, Visa, Vodafone and Whitbread.
He is the author of two books: Making the Connections – Using internal communication to turn strategy into action and Communicating Corporate Change.
Keith Hardie
Berwin Leighton Paisner
Keith 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. 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.
Further details and RSVP