Spin Unspun: Recent Episodes
Instinctif Partners
Spin Unspun is the ultimate podcast for leaders seeking a competitive edge in the world of corporate affairs. Join us as we delve into the minds of influential leaders and industry experts who have harnessed the power of strategic influence to propel their organisations to new heights. Through in-depth interviews and engaging discussions, we uncover the strategies, tactics, and mindset required to navigate the complex web of corporate affairs and communications.
Hosted by Instinctif Partners, strategic reputation advisors, partnering with our clients to navigate change.
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.
To learn more, email Tellmemore@instinctif.com
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:
- Navigating Diversity: Discover how Mars effectively navigates diverse cultures, segments, and geographies, ensuring cohesive communication strategies across the board.
- Purpose-Driven Leadership: Explore the integral role of purpose-led leadership in shaping Mars' corporate affairs initiatives, reflecting a commitment to sustainability, ethics, and innovation.
- Strategic Coordination: Gain insights into the meticulous coordination efforts undertaken to ensure alignment across global markets, segments, and corporate messaging.
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.
- Gain insights into the differences between agency and in-house environments, and the importance of depth versus breadth in communications.
- Explore Revolut's focus on innovation and trust, and how these pillars drive their communication strategy.
- Learn about the challenges and opportunities of engaging with investors while maintaining transparency and clarity in communications.
- Get practical tips for recruitment and building a strong corporate culture based on values and collaboration.
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 tellmemore@instinctif.com 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 tellmemore@instinctif.com for more information.
After 20 years leading corporate affairs for three multinational organisations, Alex Cole is dedicated to developing her peers and successors to become better “corporate affairians” at the Ithaca Centre for Corporate Affairs Leadership. From a career beginning in politics, working under Jack Straw, to honing her craft at the likes of Bupa, Sainsbury’s and Cadbury Schweppes, Alex tells us about her newest passion, helping directors of communications and corporate affairs succeed with the help of the Ithaca Leadership Framework.
In the final episode of Season 2, Damian is joined by Jeremy Durrant, Instinctif’s Chief UK Media Strategist, hearing Alex’s wisdom from her broad career and insights at the top of corporate affairs.
Visit our podcast page at www.instinctif.com/thinking/spin-unspun.
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What have Premier League football and housebuilding got in common when it comes to comms? Matt Grayson knows thanks to a career that has taken him from Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club, to Redrow via a stint in banking with HBOS.
In this episode Matt talks about how football and homes lie at the heart of communities and what communicating effectively with fans and homeowners has taught him. He discusses the ups and downs of life in the Premier League and the frustrations and opportunities for housebuilders.
To listen, visit our podcast page at www.instinctif.com/thinking/spin-unspun.
We’re also on social media:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/instinctif-partners/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/InstinctifPtnrs
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/instinctifpartners/
In banking, trust is the key commodity. Andrew Walton, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Lloyds Banking Group, shares his insight into managing reputation and effective communications at a time when banking is once again under intense scrutiny. What lessons have been learnt from successive banking crises? What are the key reputation issues that banks face? How is Lloyds differentiating itself? What makes a great communications leader?
To listen, visit our podcast page at www.instinctif.com/thinking/spin-unspun.
We’re also on social media:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/instinctif-partners/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/InstinctifPtnrs
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/instinctifpartners/
Corporate affairs professionals increasingly work alongside lawyers to manage the reputations and communications strategies for companies and individuals. Damian speaks to leading reputation and media lawyers, Jo Sanders, Partner at Withers Worldwide, and Tom Rudkin, Partner at Farrer & Co to find out the limits of libel, how injunctions work, the reality of “public interest” defences, the SLAPPs debate, how to handle leaks, and how comms professionals and legal teams best work together.
For these and more legal and corporate affairs insights, visit our podcast page at www.instinctif.com/thinking/spin-unspun and get in touch to find out more.
We’re also on social media:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/instinctif-partners/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/InstinctifPtnrs
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/instinctifpartners/
Starting as a journalist, Paul Matthews was headhunted from a travel PR agency to work at Unilever in 2008. After 15 years, Paul now heads communications at the global brands giant. In this first episode of the podcast's second season, Paul reveals what it takes to lead corporate affairs across 190 countries worldwide. He shares his views on Unilever’s commitment to sustainable living, the challenges of getting the message right to diverse stakeholders, and what he’s learned from the issues the company has faced in recent years.
For more insights from the best and brightest in corporate affairs, see our podcast page at www.instinctif.com/thinking/spin-unspun and get in touch with any questions, queries or comments.
We’re also on social media:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/instinctif-partners/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/InstinctifPtnrs
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/instinctifpartners/
Rebecca’s long and varied career at the forefront of corporate affairs has seen her take the helm for reputation at The Prudential, Tesco and TP ICAP. She has tackled the thorniest issues in financial communications and investor relations, the knottiest problems in corporate affairs and communications and a welter of crises and issues that have hit some of Britain’s biggest boardrooms. In episode 5 of Spin Unspun, Rebecca discusses these and many other topics including how she has transferred her skills into the world of NEDs with three PLC directorships.
Before becoming Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Vodafone UK, Nicki worked for Walgreen Boots Alliance, PepsiCo, Unilever and a stint in government communications. Here she talks to Damian Reece and his Instinctif co-host Katie Gabriel about her fascinating career on both sides of the Atlantic. She discusses authenticity, the weight of responsibility as a corporate affairs lead and the skill of brilliant messaging.
How did the COVID-19 pandemic impact the healthcare sector’s reputation? Where is the public versus private healthcare debate going? What is the role of corporate affairs in healthcare? Rupert Gowrley, Director of Corporate Affairs at Bupa, discusses these questions and much more in conversation with Damian Reece and his Instinctif co-host, Dulcie Keates-Miles in our latest episode.
Damian and his co-host Annabelle Duke speak to Sam Fulton, Director of Corporate Affairs at consumer goods giant Nomad Foods, which owns brands including Birds Eye and Findus. Drawing on her experience at Nomad, Apple, Kellogg's, Nestlé and McDonald's, Sam discusses making it in corporate affairs and the increasingly heated debate about corporate approaches to ESG.
In our first episode, Damian Reece and co-host Ellie Day speak to Aviva's Chief Brand and Corporate Affairs Officer, Stephen Doherty, about his career in communications.
From managing issues at Diageo, the hugely successful drinks giant, to dealing with the fall-out from several high profile crises and issues at at Barclays bank, Stephen has been central to many dramatic stories that go to the heart of reputation management.
Introduction to Instinctif Partners' new podcast on corporate affairs and communications. We interview the best and brightest leaders in the comms industry on their thought and media insights, and find out what makes their role so highly values for companies around the world.
Visit the Spin Unspun series page at instinctif.com/thinking/spin-unspun/