May Flanagan
A certified member of the Institute of Internal Communications (IoIC) for many years, May Flanagan has over twelve years of global marketing and communications experience. Based in Carrick-on-Shannon in the Republic of Ireland, she specialises in internal change communication and helps global firms navigate and communicate change effectively.
Helen Deverell
Helen is an internal communication consultant with 16 years of experience working across different industries to provide strategic support to internal comms teams. Helen has volunteered for the IoIC for most of her career, most recently as a board director. She’s passionate about the profession and is excited to be leading the East Anglia region network.
Johanna Soyars
Johanna Soyars is the Director of Internal Communications at Cambridge University Press & Assessment. After starting her career in marketing and public relations, she moved into internal communications and has worked in complex commercial and nonprofit organisations in both the USA and the UK. Over the past 15 years, Johanna has led global internal communications teams and advised senior executives in a variety of industries, focusing on employee engagement, strategy, and change management. Her experience confirms the power of good stories to create connection and meaning for people at work, and she enjoys that her job helps to foster these relationships, which she finds very rewarding.
Ann Hood
Ann has over 30 years’ experience in employee communications and PR. She has extensive experience of working with leadership teams during times of major organisational change, restructuring and crisis. Advising and delivering external and employee communications that clearly shares the business strategy and vision. Coached top teams and key leaders within the businesses in how best to deliver understandable and engaging communications.
Ann has worked with and lead both international and national based internal communication teams to deliver engaging employee communications as well as measuring employee's opinions, attitudes and understanding of the business goals, globally and locally. She has been a member of the IoIC Scotland committee for 20 years and is currently the network lead for Scotland. Ann has presented at and hosted a variety of communication conferences and with her various teams has won a number of IoIC Awards over the years.
Julie Shaw
Julie’s an established all-round comms pro that’s worked across a number of sectors including finance, charity, construction, manufacturing and engineering.
On becoming our Network Lead for the South, Julie said, “I’m passionate about our profession and the great work of the IoIC. In my career I’ve learnt so much from the IoIC and continue to do so. The regional groups are a great way for internal comms folk to connect and learn from each other.”
Julie’s previously been a speaker at an IoIC sector conference, showcasing an employee recognition initiative that increased belonging. As well has having CIIC status, Julie’s also a Chartered Marketer with the CIM, from her background in marketing, branding and product management.
Dan Holden
Dan is a Communication Consultant with All Things IC, providing consultancy, training, mentoring and coaching for internal communicators and organisations across the globe.
Since starting his communication career in 2014, Dan has specialised in internal communication, working in various sectors including aviation, defence, charity and manufacturing, all of which have seen him support colleagues working remotely.
His dedication to internal communication extends beyond the workplace. He’s been an active member of national and international committees, including two years as Chair of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) sub-group Inside in 2021-22. He currently volunteers for the Royal Air Force Air Cadets as their Internal Communication Lead and runs The Internal Communicators' Community, an online community group for IC professionals.
Dan is an advocate of continuing professional development (CPD). Awarded Chartered PR Practitioner status in 2020 and Fellow of the CIPR in 2022, he is also a Certified Member of the Institute of Internal Communication (IoIC). In 2022, he qualified as an ILM Level 7 Executive Coach and Mentor and became an EMCC Accredited Coach / Mentor at the Practitioner level with the European Mentoring and Coaching Council.
Our newest Network Lead, here is what Dan has to say about the SW network:
"The South West region is known for its picturesque towns and villages, beautiful coastlines and key cities but it's also home to a growing community of internal communicators. Whether you're in Exeter, Plymouth or Bristol, in the countryside or on the coast, my aim for the network is to bring IoIC members together, providing opportunities to share ideas, career advice and learnings with colleagues from different sectors.
Having helped develop communities and networks, I aim to create opportunities throughout the year, both in-person and remotely. So whether your seeking advice on a project or exploring new career opportunities, you’ll have a network of communicators to help. Working with industry partners and other networks throughout the region, I hope to help celebrate our profession."
Gareth Cartwright
Gareth is the Colleague Experience Leader for Hodge Bank, focussing on internal communication and employee engagement. Having built Hodge's internal communication function from scratch, he's gained experience starting at the tactical level before developing that to a high-value strategic enabler for the business. He has a strong track record for developing and implementing effective communication strategies in the financial services sector.
Now, eight years into a career in internal communication, he's as passionate as ever about the profession and keen to contribute to the professional standards and community set up by the IoIC. If you are interested in growing the internal communication community in Wales, you'll find a great place to start here with the Wales network!