Most organisations don’t struggle to change because they have the wrong strategy. They struggle because the strategy never quite translates into the day-to-day behaviours needed to make it a reality.

And while most strategies or change initiatives have a communications plan, few have a behaviour change plan that is grounded in a real understanding of the organisation, its culture, and how its people actually think and feel.

When there’s a gap between where you want to be and what’s actually happening, I can help you understand what’s really going on, and what to do about it.

I do this through a deep understanding of how organisations really work, and how leadership, communication and the psychology of behaviour change can come together to deliver change that lasts.

Because in reality, those things are inseparable. You can’t communicate your way through change if people don’t trust what they’re hearing. And you can’t shift culture without changing how people think, feel and behave.

I’ve spent fifteen years working in large, complex organisations, leading communication and employee engagement through high-pressure change. I know what it takes to make change succeed, and I’ve seen what happens when it isn’t designed with real people, and real organisations, in mind.

Alongside that, I’ve gained an in-depth understanding of leadership and organisational culture, including Masters-level research into how communication drives behavioural change. I continue to build on that knowledge to make sure my work is based on evidence and new ideas.

I understand the theory behind successful change. But what I really care about is making it happen.

Because when change is done well, it doesn’t just deliver a strategy. It creates organisations where people feel clearer, more confident, and able to do their best work—and that’s what leads to real, lasting impact.

My career journey

After a year working in Paris and a postgrad course in journalism, my career really began in a busy press office at The Prince's Trust, the UK's leading youth charity. I loved every minute, and progressed quickly to become Senior Head of Communications, leading national media campaigns on issues like youth unemployment and social mobility, managing PR for high-profile fundraising events and establishing the charity’s internal comms function.

In 2016, I joined the NHS as Head of Communications at Royal Papworth Hospital — the UK's leading specialist heart and lung hospital — reporting directly to the CEO. This is where I got really interested in change and employee engagement, helping the hospital navigate two of the most demanding periods in its history: a landmark relocation to the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, and the Covid-19 pandemic.

Keeping staff, patients and the public informed during this time was only part of the challenge. Maintaining trust, shifting culture and making people feel involved, listened to and genuinely valued was what helped the organisation adapt and thrive in a new location and play a critical role in the UK’s response to the pandemic.

In 2021, I joined the University of Cambridge to lead change communication during a period of significant transformation — a real challenge in an organisation with 13,000 staff across 100+ departments, each with its own identity and ways of working. 

This experience taught me the importance of designing an approach to change that takes the organisation’s existing structure and culture into account. And I learned to throw out the rulebook when it comes to change management: the reality is that change is messy and complex, and you need to be able to adapt your approach to fit what people need at any given time. This experience also underlined my belief in the importance of listening and co-creation to support successful change. When people feel listened to, and have opportunities to shape the organisation’s future, they are much more committed to helping it succeed.

Education

• BA (First Class Honours), French with German – University of Exeter

• MA (Distinction), Internal Communication Management – University of Solent / Institute of Internal Communication.

Professional memberships

• Fellow – Institute of Internal Communication (IoIC)

• Board Member – IoIC Standards and Skills Board

• Chartered Practitioner – Chartered Institute of Public Relations

Life outside of work

I live in a lovely town called Saffron Walden near Cambridge and have two children aged 7 and 10.

I’m passionate about travel, interior design, learning and spending time with friends and family. I appreciate the little things in life, like good coffee, wild saunas, great books and a glass of fizz. I believe in always having something to look forward to in the diary!