Spin Unspun

In this episode of Spin Unspun, Tim Field continues his conversation with Mary Whenman, Senior Director of Group Communications at the British Business Bank. Mary shares insights on diversity, equity and inclusion in corporate communications and the PR industry. She discusses the evolution of D&I over her 30-year career, her work with the PRCA's Equity and Inclusion Advisory Board, and practical approaches to embracing neurodiversity in the workplace. Mary also offers valuable perspectives on balancing successful career progression with parenting and the importance of diverse teams in delivering better business outcomes.

In this episode of Spin Unspun, Tim Field interviews Mary Whenman, Senior Director of Group Communications at the British Business Bank. Mary shares insights on demonstrating communications impact, reputation management, and navigating organisational change. She discusses the bank's recent 10-year impact report and offers valuable advice on measurement, stakeholder engagement, and the evolving corporate affairs landscape.

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Chris Dugmore, Corporate Affairs Director at Mars Food & Nutrition Europe, discusses the strategies, challenges, and evolution of corporate communication within this global powerhouse.

Key takeaways:

1. Navigating Diversity: Discover how Mars effectively navigates diverse cultures, segments, and geographies, ensuring cohesive communication strategies across the board.

We’re joined by Michael Bodansky, Head of Corporate Communications at Revolut, to explore his journey from agency life to in-house corporate communications. Drawing from his diverse background at agencies like Ogilvy and Freud's, Michael shares valuable insights on the evolving role of corporate communications in today's fast-paced business environment.

Key Takeaways:

• Discover the parallels between advertising planning and corporate communications, and how understanding human behaviour is essential in both fields.

Rachel Garstang, Head of Corporate Communications and Stakeholder Engagement at Grosvenor, shares insights into the renowned urban property portfolio, including managing iconic spaces like London's Mayfair and Belgravia.

Rachel shares her strategic approach to demonstrating the business's soul and addressing societal expectations through compelling storytelling.

Discover the significance of locations like Grosvenor Square and the business's commitment to long-term stewardship in the ever-evolving real estate landscape.

Connect with hosts Damian Reece, and Jeremy Durrant.

Jennifer Scardino, Senior VP; Head of Communications Europe at Visa, shares her dynamic career journey spanning the corridors of power in political offices to the helm of global communications and corporate affairs at Citi, Santander, and Visa.

Discover the invaluable lessons learned during Jennifer's early career, like crafting news clips manually and navigating the politics of photo ops, through to the underrated art of campaigning in corporate communications, a skillset acquired during Jennifer's formative years and now finding renewed relevance in today's corporate landscape.

Connect with hosts Damian Reece, and Libby Wallis.

In this episode, we unravel the wisdom of Judith Everett, Executive Director Purpose, Sustainability & Stakeholder at The Crown Estate. Discover the stark differences between corporate affairs at major global entities like AstraZeneca and Shell versus the unique challenges and freedoms Judith navigates at The Crown Estate.

Find out how Judith makes purpose a guiding force behind strategy, operations, and investment, and uncover the keys to authentically embedding purpose throughout an organisation, making it more than just words but a lived reality.

Matt Ridsdale, Group Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Sky, shares his diverse career journey, from becoming joint CEO at Tavistock at 28, then initiating transformative strategies as Executive Director at Camelot (operator of the National Lottery) to steering the helm of corporate affairs at Sky.

From conducting strategic reviews to integrating his teams in corporate affairs – corporate communications, consumer PR and events, social and influencer communications, internal communications, policy and public affairs, and ESG, Matt reflects on mentorship, leadership styles, and the value of learning from colleagues.

Connect with our hosts, Damian Reece, Senior Council, and Katie Gabriel, Senior Account Director at Instinctif Partners.

Email [email protected] for more information.

Luke Herbert, the Executive Director of International Communications at Climate Group, discusses how companies can navigate talking about climate action and some of the latest twists from greenwashing to net zero challenges.

Discover the smart strategies and initiatives driving change as Luke shares his expertise in the intersection of corporate affairs and environmental responsibility.

Connect with our hosts, Damian Reece, Senior Council, and Helen Dodd, Head of Sustainability at Instinctif Partners.

Email [email protected] for more information.