The Little Questions

On this edition of The Little Questions podcast we are out on the road to chat to Amanda Blanc, the Group CEO of insurance giant, Aviva. During this wide ranging interview we discuss her views on confidence being contagious; why good CEO's need to be good communicators and what she really wants from a good PR.

Amanda was born and bred in Wales, having grown up in the Rhondda Valley. She started her career as a graduate at one of Aviva's ancestor companies, Commercial Union. Following success in senior executive roles across the insurance industry, she came back to Aviva as CEO in July 2020. Amanda was formerly Group CEO at AXA UK, PPP & Ireland and CEO Europe, Middle East, Africa & Global Banking at Zurich Insurance Group. She also held executive leadership positions at Towergate Insurance Brokers, Groupama Insurance Company and Commercial Union. Amanda has previously served as Chair of the Association of British Insurers, Chair of the Insurance Fraud Bureau and President of the Chartered Insurance Institute.

What do you think makes a good CEO? We'd love to hear from you. Get in touch on social media or email [email protected]

The Little Questions podcast is presented by Matt Young and Andrew Brown.

Matt Young is an Apella founder partner with 25 years of experience in corporate affairs. He was Corporate Affairs Director at Lloyds Banking Group, part of the senior team which rescued the bank and rebuilt its reputation following the financial crisis. Formerly communications director at Santander UK and board member of the BBA.

Apella partner Andrew Brown is a former Director of Communications and Public Affairs at Ageas Insurance. He has more than ten years' experience leading the corporate affairs functions for global firms across a range of regulated and unregulated sectors, developing considerable experience in issues, crisis and change management. Formerly Director of Communications at Drax Group plc and Group Corporate Affairs Director at Regus plc.

Find out more about Apella Advisors at www.apellaadvisors.com and you can get in touch by emailing [email protected]

This podcast was produced by the www.thepodcastcoach.co.uk

Media training is part of the world we live in these days. We've all seen those car crash interviews, and many of us have been relieved it wasn't our CEO giving the disastrous performance. So many interviews, be they with sports stars, politicians or business leaders increasingly verge on the soporific, but is it the personality, the training or something else that's at fault? No one wants to be the person who gives too much away during an interview and embarrasses themselves or the organisation they represent, but nor do we want to be dull.

What's the solution? How do you strike a balance between authenticity and guardedness during an interview? Do you see the value in media training? We'd love to hear from you. Get in touch on social media or email [email protected]

This edition of The Little Questions podcast is presented by Andrew Brown.

Apella founder partner Jenny Scott joins us again on The Little Questions podcast. Jenny has worked as Executive Director of Communications at the Bank of England and co-lead for Bank wide strategy. She was also Advisor to the Governor, and sat on the Bank's executive committee and risk committee. Formerly Economics and Politics Correspondent for the BBC and Presenter of the Daily Politics, she is now Trustee of Pro Bono Economics.

Our second guest this time is Apella founder partner Anthony Silverman who specialises in advising global boards and executive teams with complex reputational needs. Recent clients include RBS, UBS, Atlas Merchant Capital, Nomura, Pension Insurance Corporation, FirstRand and Nando's. He is also a former Senior Managing Director at Teneo in London.

Apella partner Andrew Brown is a former Director of Communications and Public Affairs at Ageas Insurance. He has more than 10 years' experience leading the corporate affairs functions for global firms across a range of regulated and unregulated sectors, developing considerable experience in issues, crisis and change management. Formerly Director of Communications at Drax Group plc and Group Corporate Affairs Director at Regus plc.

Find out more about Apella Advisors at www.apellaadvisors.com and you can get in touch by emailing [email protected]

This podcast was produced by the www.thepodcastcoach.co.uk

"Those who can, do; those who can't, teach" is often unfairly said about educators. And, similarly, about consultants! In the world of comms and corporate affairs, there is a steady exchange of people between consultancy and in-house roles, with some making the transition several times throughout their careers. To what extent is it desirable for people to switch, both for their careers and their employer? Can you ever be considered a 'good PR person' if you've never worked for a PR agency?

What is your experience of working with in-house staff or external consultants in the comms and PR world? Do you prefer one arrangement over the other? What are the advantages and disadvantages? We'd love to hear from you. Get in touch on social media or email [email protected]

Our guest on this episode is Apella founder partner James Acheson-Gray, who has acted as a long-term advisor to senior decision makers on the value of harnessing reputation to enhance commercial objectives. James has over 20 years' experience running successful PR/PA firms and major client programmes in Europe and Asia. He was managing director of APCO Worldwide from 2012-2019 and is a former Board Director of the Queen's Club.

The Little Questions podcast is presented by Matt Young and Andrew Brown.

Matt Young is an Apella founder partner with 25 years of experience in corporate affairs. He was Corporate Affairs Director at Lloyds Banking Group, part of the senior team which rescued the bank and rebuilt its reputation following the financial crisis. Formerly communications director at Santander UK and board member of the BBA.

Apella partner Andrew Brown is a former Director of Communications and Public Affairs at Ageas Insurance. He has more than 10 years' experience leading the corporate affairs functions for global firms across a range of regulated and unregulated sectors, developing considerable experience in issues, crisis and change management. Formerly Director of Communications at Drax Group plc and Group Corporate Affairs Director at Regus plc.

Find out more about Apella Advisors at www.apellaadvisors.com and you can get in touch by emailing [email protected]

This podcast was produced by the www.thepodcastcoach.co.uk

We live in woke times. What started as a way to show one's awareness of social and especially racially motivated injustices has itself been culturally appropriated by a myriad of other groups and causes, including big business. Corporate wokery appears to be everywhere.

At Apella, we are pro purpose and have seen first-hand the transformative benefits a genuine desire to do the right thing can have on the fortunes of an organisation. But when a firm signals its virtue, how do we know if its genuine and not just purpose washing? Is it really the responsibility of a firm to fix the social ills of society?

As always we'd like to hear from you. Do you think it's important for companies to take a stand on environmental and social issues or should they stick to what they are designed for - generating a fair and reasonable rate of return? Get in touch with us on social media or email [email protected]

Our guest on this episode is Apella founder partner Jenny Scott. Jenny has worked as Executive Director of Communications at the Bank of England and co-lead for Bank wide strategy. She was also advisor to the Governor, and sat on the Bank's executive committee and risk committee. Formerly economics and politics correspondent for the BBC and presenter of the Daily Politics she is now trustee of Pro Bono Economics.

The Little Questions podcast is presented by Matt Young and Andrew Brown.

Matt Young is an Apella founder partner with 25 years of experience in Corporate Affairs. He was corporate affairs director at Lloyds Banking Group, part of the senior team which rescued the bank and rebuilt its reputation following the financial crisis. Formerly communications director at Santander UK and board member of the BBA.

Apella partner Andrew Brown is a former Director of Communications and Public affairs at Ageas Insurance, Andrew has more than ten years' experience leading the corporate affairs functions for global, listed, multifaceted firms across a range of regulated and unregulated sectors. Formerly Director of Communications at Drax Group plc and Group Corporate Affairs Director at Regus plc.

Find out more about Apella Advisors at www.apellaadvisors.com and you can get in touch by emailing [email protected]

This podcast was produced by the www.thepodcastcoach.co.uk

A mastery of words is an essential part of what we do in Communications. We must be able to write clearly and concisely to ensure we're understood. However has the profession lost the ability to write? Matt and Andrew discuss the importance of writing clearly…

Think of writing like a muscle, says Andrew Brown. You have to use it to strengthen it and if you don't use it you'll lose it. As skilled communications professionals we simply have to be able to construct a well-written argument.

Do you think it's important to be able to write well or has modern technology and new communication channels reduced the importance of great writing? We'd love to hear from you. Get in touch with on social media or email [email protected]

The Little Questions podcast is presented by Matt Young and Andrew Brown.

Matt Young is an Apella founder partner with 25 years of experience across in Corporate Affairs. He was corporate affairs director at Lloyds Banking Group, part of the senior team which rescued the bank and rebuilt its reputation following the financial crisis. Formerly communications director at Santander UK and board member of the BBA.

Apella partner Andrew Brown is a former Director of Communications and Public affairs at Ageas Insurance, Andrew has more than ten years' experience leading the corporate affairs functions for global, listed, multifaceted firms across a range of regulated and unregulated sectors. He has considerable experience in issues, crisis and change management as well as reputation sentiment analysis and insight. Formerly Director of Communications at Drax Group plc and Group Corporate Affairs Director at Regus plc.

Find out more about Apella Advisors at www.apellaadvisors.com and you can get in touch by emailing [email protected]

This podcast was produced by the www.thepodcastcoach.co.uk

Are there too many extroverts in PR? Is buying influence morally acceptable? Is lobbying a good or a bad thing? We chat about the industrialisation of lobbying. Is it immoral to lobby? Thorny issues are up for discussion in this edition of The Little Questions podcast.

How comfortable do you feel using your connections and influence to get the results you want? We'd love to hear your thoughts. Email us; [email protected]

Apella is a distinctive advisory firm established to help clients achieve their long term goals and look to the future with confidence. We are a senior team with a powerful combination of broad in-house and consultancy experience of advising clients with complex communications needs. We are independent advisors utilising a partnership approach which enables us to meet the changing demands of the market and better serve our clients.

The Little Questions podcast is presented by Matt Young and Andrew Brown.

Matt Young is an Apella founder partner with 25 years of experience across in Corporate Affairs. He was corporate affairs director at Lloyds Banking Group, part of the senior team which rescued the bank and rebuilt its reputation following the financial crisis. Formerly communications director at Santander UK and board member of the BBA.

Apella partner Andrew Brown is a former Director of Communications and Public affairs at Ageas Insurance, Andrew has more than ten years' experience leading the corporate affairs functions for global, listed, multifaceted firms across a range of regulated and unregulated sectors. He has considerable experience in issues, crisis and change management as well as reputation sentiment analysis and insight. Formerly Director of Communications at Drax Group plc and Group Corporate Affairs Director at Regus plc.

Find out more about Apella Advisors at www.apellaadvisors.com and you can get in touch by emailing [email protected]

This podcast was produced by the www.thepodcastcoach.co.uk

Why do so many people consider themselves an expert in Communications? Is it an art or is it a profession?

In this episode we discuss the dabblers - the people who think they can do our jobs purely because we all communicate!

Apella partners Matt Young and Andrew Brown discuss whether Communications is a trade, like journalism or construction; or a profession, like accountancy or medicine, and whether there should be recognised exams as a means to achieve chartered status as a communications professional?

We'd love to know your thoughts. Email us; [email protected]

Apella is a distinctive advisory firm established to help clients achieve their long term goals and look to the future with confidence. We are a senior team with a powerful combination of broad in-house and consultancy experience of advising clients with complex communications needs. We are independent advisors utilising a partnership approach which enables us to meet the changing demands of the market and better serve our clients.

The Little Questions podcast is presented by Matt Young and Andrew Brown.

Matt Young is also an Apella founder partner with 25 years of experience across in Corporate Affairs. He was corporate affairs director at Lloyds Banking Group, part of the senior team which rescued the bank and rebuilt its reputation following the financial crisis. Formerly communications director at Santander UK and board member of the BBA.

Apella partner Andrew Brown is a former Director of Communications and Public affairs at Ageas Insurance, Andrew has more than ten years' experience leading the corporate affairs functions for global, listed, multifaceted firms across a range of regulated and unregulated sectors. He has considerable experience in issues, crisis and change management as well as reputation sentiment analysis and insight. Formerly Director of Communications at Drax Group plc and Group Corporate Affairs Director at Regus plc.

Find out more about Apella Advisors at www.apellaadvisors.com and you can get in touch by emailing [email protected]

This podcast was produced by the www.thepodcastcoach.co.uk

Why do so many people consider themselves an expert in communication? Is it an art or is it a profession?

Are there too many extroverts in PR? Is buying influence morally acceptable? Is it immoral to lobby?

A mastery of words is an essential part of what we do in communications. We simply must be able to write clearly and concisely and construct a coherent and clear message. However, have we as a profession lost the ability to write? All these critical little questions - any many more - will be discussed on The Little Questions podcast from Apella Advisors. Make sure you follow the podcast in your app of choice so you don't miss future episodes. We'd also love to know your thoughts. Email us; [email protected]

Apella is a distinctive advisory firm established to help clients achieve their long term goals and look to the future with confidence.We are a senior team with a powerful combination of broad in-house and consultancy experience of advising clients with complex communications needs. We are independent advisors utilising a partnership approach which enables us to meet the changing demands of the market and better serve our clients.

The Little Questions podcast is presented by Jenny Scott, Matt Young and Andrew Brown.

Apella founder partner Jenny Scott is a former Executive Director of Communications at the Bank of England and co-lead for Bank wide strategy. Advisor to the Governor, sat on the Bank's executive committee and risk committee. Formerly economics and politics correspondent for the BBC and presenter of the Daily Politics. Trustee of Pro Bono Economics.

Matt Young is also an Apella founder partner with 25 years of experience across in Corporate Affairs. He was corporate affairs director at Lloyds Banking Group, part of the senior team which rescued the bank and rebuilt its reputation following the financial crisis. Formerly communications director at Santander UK and board member of the BBA.

Apella partner Andrew Brown is a former Director of Communications and Public affairs at Ageas Insurance, Andrew has more than ten years' experience leading the corporate affairs functions for global, listed, multifaceted firms across a range of regulated and unregulated sectors. He has considerable experience in issues, crisis and change management as well as reputation sentiment analysis and insight. Formerly Director of Communications at Drax Group plc and Group Corporate Affairs Director at Regus plc.

Find out more about Apella Advisors at www.apellaadvisors.com and you can get in touch by emailing [email protected]

This podcast was produced by the www.thepodcastcoach.co.uk