UAE Government Communicator, Chairman of Westminster Wanderers FC. Member at Surrey County Cricket Club and Arsenal. Visiting Fellow, JOMEC, Cardiff University.
We are recruiting for a Head of News for
@cabinetofficeuk
to lead our
@UKgovcomms
media team. It’s a fascinating and high profile role covering a range of issues from our Covid response to cyber security and government efficiency.
Thanks to Turkish Presidency Comms Team for the opportunity to speak at the
@StratcomSummit
I spoke about strategy as ‘ends, way and means’
@UKgovcomms
OASIS & StratComms Guide, the
@GREATBritain
campaign, 5D comms, evaluation, standards and strong relationship between 🇬🇧 & 🇹🇷
Whether you are zooming, using hangout or teams, I sense that this might apply, or help qmany conference call discussions....not sure who came up with the idea!
United message today from the national newspapers and regional ones as well, ‘All in Together’ Stay Home for the NHS, your family, your neighbours, your nation and life itself.
Great effort from
@UKgovcomms
&
@NHSuk
colleagues and national and regional newspapers - 400 in all - carrying the message
#GetBoostedNow
on front pages, reaching 30m adults this week.
Lord Heywood was a friend and advocate to all
@UKCivilService
colleagues and was a particular champion of
@UKgovcomms
and professional government communication, using data, nudge and digital effectively. Fitting that flags over No10 and
@cabinetofficeuk
fly at half mast today.
Thanks to my
@UKgovcomms
colleagues and partners in comms agencies who have worked all weekend to ensure that the new rules are clear and visible as part of our Covid public information campaign.
Many thanks to my colleagues in
@UKgovcomms
@NHSuk
@LGAcomms
& other public services providing information which can help save lives and protect livelihoods. Very difficult time for people across the UK. Everyone in government is aware of the challenge as
@BorisJohnson
made clear
Thanks to all my
@UKgovcomms
colleagues including in
@cabinetofficeuk
&
@Number10press
working on counter-disinformation campaigns. Important activity and building a clear picture of the causes, spread & prevention of disinformation
We’ve created a new
@UKgovcomms
Communications Marketplace to enable specialist agencies in marketing, PR, content and events from across the UK to work with government. It goes live in September and is simpler than the previous framework.
Very pleased to welcome
@davidhold
to
@UKgovcomms
as he begins an interim role as Director of Comms
@mhclg
while a successor to Priya Brahmbhatt Patel is recruited, as Priya moves to
@ofgem
We both support movement between tiers of govt and grateful to
@LGAcomms
for his services!
Massive opportunity for a top class communicator and a hugely important role at the heart of government -
@10DowningStreet
Deputy Official Spokesperson & Head of News. Leading a great team and one of the most exciting jobs in
@UKgovcomms
@UKgovcomms
publishes RESIST Counter-Disinformation Toolkit launched today. Great work by colleagues in
@cabinetofficeuk
and an important tool for national and local communicators in identifying & challenging threats to our democracy.
Very clear message covering the national and regional newspapers today. Thanks to all
@UKgovcomms
@NHSuk
and
@DHSCgovuk
communicators who have worked on this important public health campaign
Congratulations to Simon Baugh on his appointment as Chief Exec of
@ukgovcomms
after success leading three departmental comms teams. I look forward to working with him. It's been a privilege to build the GCS into a successful
@UKCivilService
profession.
Very grateful to my
@UKgovcomms
colleagues who have been working hard all weekend in a cross government effort to provide clear, timely and accurate information to support the work of public services including
@NHSuk
Lots to do in the week ahead to communicate new campaign.
Really grateful to my
@UKgovcomms
colleagues for using their expertise to produce a new guide to applying behavioural science in communication ‘The Principles of Behaviour Change Comms’ - lots of great case studies & guidance for running campaigns.
Very Proud of the new
@UKgovcomms
Standard, published today. Sets out the purpose, approach and practice of govt comms in
@UKCivilService
to deliver effective public service comms. Credit to
@rosedj
&
@KingMcdowall
who created the standard
Very proud that
@WHO
have chosen to work with UK Government to fight the spread of disinformation, reflecting world leading expertise of
@UKgovcomms
colleagues
In our efforts to fight
#COVID19
infodemic,
@WHO
has partnered with the UK 🇬🇧 government to run “Stop The Spread,” an awareness campaign on the risks of incorrect and false information about the pandemic. Together, for a healthier, safer world!
Well done to
@KingMcdowall
and the
@UKgovcomms
team for delivering a new, comprehensive source of professional information for government communicators, Bringing together all our practice guidance and training offer and some great examples.
Thank you to all those
@UKgovcomms
colleagues, particularly in
@FCDOGovUK
who have worked expertly & hard on communication around the Afghan crisis this week. There is only so much we can do, but public information remains hugely important to explain, inform, reassure and advise.
Very grateful to
@rosedj
who leaves the professional standards team in
@cabinetofficeuk
today after 12 years, and 17 years in
@UKCivilService
He has been central to the success of
@UKgovcomms
and developed the function across the UK, training and organising and inspiring us all.
Have spent much of the day working on COVID comms and EU Transiton and also speaking to colleagues across
@UKgovcomms
about our plans for a modern, unified, efficient, agile and effective profession with improved pay & stronger professional development based in
@cabinetofficeuk
Very sad that Jeremy Heywood,
@HeadUKCivServ
is retiring on medical advice. He has been an inspiring and empowering leader of
@UKCivilService
and I’m personally grateful for the advice, encouragement and support he offered and helped develop
@UKgovcomms
successfully.
Honoured to speak at the graduation of the first group of
@UKgovcomms
PR apprentices alongside
@PoliStuartLacey
&
@KingMcdowall
Well done to our apprentices, 90% of whom have secured fulll time roles and thanks to family and friends who joined the graduation ceremony.
The new phase the
@UKgovcomms
public health campaign to counter misinformation with the launch of the ‘inoculation game’ in collaboration with University of Cambridge and
@WHO
to teach people how to identify & understand disinformation
Sad news that Sir Bernard Ingham has passed away aged 90. I was inspired by him as a young press officer. His autobiography ‘Kill the Messenger’ should still be required reading for
@UKgovcomms
press officers and his advice that we have one commodity, “credibility” remains true.
Very proud to have known Francis Ingham, DG of the
@PRCA_HQ
A leader of the communication profession who built
@CIPR_Global
and the PRCA. Deeply saddened by his untimely death. He was a friend and helped us build
@UKgovcomms
serving on our Evaluation Council and advisory boards.
So, best birthday present this year was easily the Lime tree, now in our urban garden, which produces great limes for the early Friday evening treat
#everyhomeshouldhaveone
I hope that this counts as
#OneStepGreener
Congratulations to
@BritishArmy
Media & Comms for winning
@UKgovcomms
Campaign of the Month. Project used two Army documentaries and the launch of the Your Army 19 recruiting campaign to encourage young people to consider an Army career.
Very grateful to
@KingMcdowall
& the
@UKgovcomms
professional standards team for putting in place an extensive online training programme for govt communicators in record time. I can only see us expanding this approach in the future.
Congratulations to the nine
@UKgovcomms
campaigns shortlisted for the annual
@UKCivilService
awards in the Communication Category. All represent great campaign comms in practice and form long list ahead of final judging.
Very grateful to
@LGcomms
and
@UKgovcomms
colleagues for effort and expertise they have put in as we are about to start the 2019
#CommsAcad
A two day conference to raise standards, strengthen our democracy and deliver for communities via public service communication.
We’ve had over 300k questions submitted via by the public for the daily press conferences. Thanks to
@UKgovcomms
and
@GDSTeam
we have now put the answers to the most common topics asked about by the public, online.
Applications now open for Director of Comms for
#COP26
This role sits within the COP26 Unit in
@cabinetofficeuk
The event will bring together over 30,000 delegates inc heads of state, experts and campaigners to agree action to tackle climate change
The
@UKgovcomms
had published our new Modern Communications Operating Model: A blueprint for government communication (MCOM 2.0). The model sets out the fundamental disciplines and practices for effective public service communications.
Election guidance for
@UKCivilService
just published on Sections covering
@UKgovcomms
communication & consultation on pages 22-28. Sets out limits on activity over this period. Guidance takes effect from Wednesday.
Very proud of the new cross government campaign we’ve started to tackle modern slavery by asking citizens to look out for signs of slavery & people who may be victims - in public areas like banks, job and health centres. Many public services working together on this campaign.
The family thoroughly enjoyed our ‘London Football Ride’ yesterday in the sunshine to
@ChelseaFC
@FulhamFC
@QPR
and the mighty
@Arsenal
stadiums. There is another north London side we could have visited but there’s no point in visiting a stadium that has never seen a trophy...
Not often you see a UK local authority on the front page of
@nytimes
being lauded for its work so well done to
@BCPCouncil
for their work is explaining how they are seeking to reinvigorate their shopping areas, which has become a story which will be read around the world.
Thanks to all my
@UKgovcomms
colleagues who have developed, led and worked on this important counter-disinformation initiative with
@WHO
and supported by social media companies including
@Facebook
The 🌍 is overloaded with
#COVID19
misinformation
❗️ Before you share a post or an article, CHECK trusted sources like WHO & natl. health authorities
❗️ If you believe the information is false or misleading, this is how you can REPORT it on
#socialmedia
:
Really pleased that we have just published the
@UKgovcomms
career framework. Sets out how to plan and develop a career in
@UKCivilService
communication. We will use this framework to create an exceptional communication profession.
Applied for a new passport less than a fortnight ago. It arrived today.
@GOVUK
application took 10 minutes and text messages made tracking return of old, and arrival of new document easy. Credit to
@HM_Passport
@UKCivilService
colleagues. Feels like modern digital govt in action.
Many thanks to
@conbird2
for developing, leading and expanding the exceptional
@GREATBritain
campaign over these last six years. A global marketing success. As Conrad moves to take on leadership of
@tradegovuk
marketing Claire Pimm will lead the team in the interim period.
We’re recruiting a Deputy Director, Digital Comms, to spearhead
@UKgovcomms
digital work across all
@cabinetofficeuk
&
@10DowningStreet
channels. A great job leading a terrific team setting new standards in online comms.
I’m really proud of my colleagues who have become
@UKgovcomms
apprentices. They’ve joined us straight from school, from retail jobs and many backgrounds and excelled as part of
@UKCivilService
Please spread the word about this scheme.
New
@UKgovcomms
resource on Business Partnering. How to provide expert advice to policy and operational teams so that communications is at the heart of planning and decision-making. The guide explains what business partnering is and its benefits.
Next stage of the Covid public health campaign launched in the national and regional newspapers today with ‘Fresh Air’ added to the
#HandsFaceSpace
call to action. Big emphasis on the importance of exercise as well. Very grateful to
@UKgovcomms
&
@NHSuk
colleagues
Looking forward to
@CommsCymru
conference in Cardiff tomorrow. Will be speaking about new
@UKgovcomms
professional guides and truth, tech and trends. Hoping for lots of audience participation and will be great to work with
@WelshGovernment
colleagues.
The major
@UKCivilService
learning event of the year
#CivilServiceLive
takes place today, virtually. Indications are that online sessions enable far more people to take part than usual events. Well done to
@cabinetofficeuk
team who organise
Enjoying Christmas festivities and also thinking about our
@UKCivilService
colleagues working over the holiday period especially those on duty for
@UKgovcomms
and of course in public service across the UK and representing us around the world including
@FCDOGovUK
&
@BritishArmy
Another battle in the information war. The regular Moscow-Kaliningrad train is now confronted by 24 large photos during its 10 min stop at Vilnius station, Lithuania, graphically depicting bombed-out Ukrainian cities and dead children.
Applications for the 2021
@UKCivilService
#FutureLeaders
and
#SeniorLeaders
Schemes close on 12 March. These are two year leadership development programmes and I hope that we will get a great crop of
@UKgovcomms
candidates for these important programmes.
Many thanks to all my
@UKgovcomms
colleagues from across govt who are working in the Brexit Communication Centre to prepare the public information campaign to enable people to understand what they need to do as the UK leaves the EU. Very grateful for expert help from
@GDSTeam
Many thanks to
@SWWren
for stepping in to lead the
@DefenceHQ
comms team over the past few months and through the Integrated Review and Defence Command Paper. Great to have him back as part of the Director of Comms Group and
@UKgovcomms
A job well done. Happy retirement (again).
I have huge respect for those you do
#DryJanuary
but I was lucky enough to receive a great selection of Welsh Gins for Christmas and am starting by enjoying the
@barryislandgin
tonight. And have lots of
@GREATBritain
choices to follow from England, Scotland & NI.
@francis_scarr
This is a brilliant piece of work to highlight this utterly bonkers Russian talk show. It’s incredible that the country that is trying to subjugate Ukraine is criticising another for colonial policies of a century ago. Loved the bit about Brits climbing trees to fight Romans.
An important initiative from
@PRCA_UK
building on their mental health toolkit. They are now surveying opinions in the PR and communications industry. Reflects issues raised by
@leanneehren
and
@comms2point0
Privilege to participate in and speak at
@NATO
Senior Communicators conference. Important that NATO ‘Strategic Concept’ emphasises it’s ambition to “strengthen its strategic communication” as part of overall deterrence. And inspiring to meet so many talented communicators.
Many thanks to
@tobyorr
who is leaving
@UKCivilService
&
@UKgovcomms
after four successful years at
@tradegovuk
building & leading a successful communication function promoting UK exports around the world including
@GREATBritain
campaign. Provided wise parting advice to DoComms.
Many thanks to all our friends and colleagues from
@LGcomms
@ciprlps
@PRCA_UK
and councils and other public services across the UK who joined us to discuss next steps in the public information campaign to help people stay safe.
Thanks to
@NATOBrazeB
and the
@NATO
team for organising a great communications summit in Brussels. Speech from
@Mircea_Geoana
defending democracy and rule of law and shared values particularly powerful as was
@CMC_NATO
on role of information. Well done
@NATORomeroC
& colleagues.
Parliament returns today and
@UKgovcomms
colleagues will be central to explaining the polices of the govt and how people access services. I’m very grateful to our highly effective & professional media, marketing, strat and internal comms officers for the work they do every day.
Great start to
#CivilServiceLive
2019 in Edinburgh
@eicc
with John Manzoni praising
@UKCivilService
and setting out plans to modernise with better tech, leadership and cross govt hubs. Good questions from delegates and chaired brilliantly by
@LisaAHunter
Simon Baugh is absolutely right to focus on core values; modernising the profession, driving a revolution in data and digital practice, listening to audiences and honestly evaluating impact. All on day one as the first
@UKgovcomms
Chief Executive
We’re recruiting for the Dir of Comms a role at
@Ofgem
The successful candidate will be part of the leadership of OFGEM which is tasked with protecting consumers by delivering a greener, fairer energy system. Also a key
@UKgovcomms
role.
Very pleased that we have published new advice for planning and delivering bilingual comms activity aimed at Welsh speakers. Hope and expect that
@UKgovcomms
colleagues will make full use of it and grateful to
@UKGovWales
for their work.
Very well done to
@MoJGovUK
for winning the 2018
@UKCivilService
Communication award at
#CSAwards
A brilliant public service recruitment campaign using marketing insight, local advertising, role models & low cost PR to change perceptions.
Just enjoyed reading and voting in the
@comms2point0
Unawards. Many really inspiring candidates and case studies. Well done to
@darrencaveney
and to all those authorities and agencies who entered the competition. Good luck on the night.
@PHE_uk
have launched a new campaign to support people to manage their mental wellbeing during this difficult time, using Every Mind Matters self-care resources. Media will run for two weeks from 17 April and
@KensingtonRoyal
have endorsed.
Countering disinformation has always been part of the work of governments. In the digital age it’s even more important. This fact sheet explains the work of teams in the UK Government to understand disinformation narratives and take appropriate action.
Very grateful to all those involved in the production, launch and dissemination of two new
@UKgovcomms
products last week - our annual plan and learning curriculum. First
@UKCivilService
Functional plan for 2021-22 and three new levels of professional standards.
Delighted that
@SWWren
has rejoined
@DefenceHQ
as interim Director of Communication while we recruit the permanent Director. Simon was part of the group of Dir of Comms who founded
@UKgovcomms
as GCS in 2013 and spent five successful years as Dir of Comms at
@ukhomeoffice