IoIC Conference:
Change & Transformation
(sponsored by Silicon Reef)

Bel López

Corporate Affairs Executive, British Airways

Bel is a well-rounded communications specialist with experience across aviation and the public healthcare sector. Skilled across internal and external communications, she brings a versatile, multi-skilled approach, combining strategic insight with creativity to deliver award-winning campaigns that inform, engage and inspire.

Aligning messaging with organisational vision and strategy, Bel translates complex ideas into compelling stories to help organisations communicate with clarity and impact, strengthen their reputation and connect with their audiences.

Ceri Aiken

Managing Director and Communications Consultant, CAKE Communications Consultancy

At the heart of what drives Ceri is a love of storytelling: finding new ways to engage with, listen to and empower employees through insightful communication during periods of change. Whether supporting employees through major business transformation, providing the reassurance and training behind technology advancements or creating internal campaigns for specific programmes, CAKE aims to partner with organisations to help them navigate complex periods of change with creativity and confidence.

With an extensive back catalogue of experience in both internal and external communications roles, and with 20+ years’ experience across a range of sectors (from technology consultancy to utilities, retail and sports) CAKE Communications now works with an amazing network of communications professionals (the CAKE Collective) to deliver clear, consistent and engaging communications during any transformation

Emma Bridger

Founder, People Lab and The EX Space

Emma Bridger is one of the world’s leading experts in employee engagement and experience. Co-founder of The EX Space and founder of People Lab, she helps organisations design meaningful, people-centred change. An award-winning co-author of Employee Engagement and EX by Design and ad co-author (with Lee Smith) of People-First Internal Communication (2025), Emma combines a background in psychology and behaviour change with over 25 years’ experience transforming workplaces. A recognised thought leader and dynamic speaker, she champions better work experiences that empower people and drive organisational success.

Emma Cash

Communications Business Partner for Operations, British Airways

Emma Cash is a strategic communications professional with a strong background in internal communications, stakeholder engagement and campaign delivery. In her role as Communications Business Partner for Operations, Emma partners with the Chief Operating Officer to shape and execute communications strategies that drive engagement, enhance leadership visibility and support business priorities for over 9,000 colleagues.

With a career spanning journalism, copywriting and corporate communications, Emma brings a unique storytelling lens to her work. She has led high-impact campaigns, introduced innovative internal channels, and managed crisis communications for large operational
audiences. Her approach is data-informed, creative and grounded in a deep understanding of colleague needs.

Nadine Dixon

Change and Transformation Communications Consultant

Nadine Dixon is an internal and change communications specialist with extensive experience supporting complex organisational change, including business restructures, mergers and acquisitions and cultural integration. She has held senior roles at organisations such as the Financial Conduct Authority, Barclays, Aon and Schroders. Nadine specialises in developing and delivering communication strategies that engage employees, align them with business vision and build trust across global, matrixed environments during times of transformation.

David Garfinkel

Internal Communication Lead, The Economist

David Garfinkel is a seasoned communications leader specialising in change, transformation, M&A and employee engagement. With extensive in-house and consultancy experience across sectors including tech, finance, energy and media, he is recognised for advising senior leaders and delivering impactful communications strategies. Currently leading internal communications at The Economist, David partners with the leadership team to drive transformation, enhance engagement and strengthen communication infrastructure, drawing on his background in journalism and expertise in crafting strategies that align people with organisational change.

Becci Gould

Consultant, United Minds

Becci Gould is a specialist in change, leadership and culture at United Minds. Alongside working with clients on M&As, restructures, digital and AI transformations, she leads the company’s thought leadership around how change management and communications need to evolve based on the uncertainty and pace of constant change today. Previously, Becci trained in Communications and Behavioural Psychology before heading up change management for a boutique start-up consultancy.

Rob Jones

Co-founder and content director, Artful Dog

Ross is co-founder and content director of communications agency Artful Dog. He has more than 20 years’ experience in internal comms – planning, writing and editing magazines, websites, brochures and other campaign materials. He is the editor of IoIC’s membership magazine, Voice.

Renee McTavish

Change and Communications Consultant

Renee McTavish is a change and communications consultant specialising in large-scale transformation programmes across HR, Finance, IT, Digital and Culture. APROSCI-certified practitioner, she has delivered change communications for major restructures, technology and regulatory transformations for organisations including Janus Henderson Investors, Schroders, Barclays, HSBC, BT, Cisco and QBE Insurance. Renee partners with senior leaders to shape strategy, craft compelling messages, and engage employees through complex organisational change that drives lasting impact and cultural alignment.

Chris Payne

Lead Consultant, United Minds

Chris Payne became a consultant following a successful 20-year career in-house, leading employee engagement and internal communications teams at global healthcare and pharmaceutical companies. With a background in journalism and psychology, Chris specialises in culture transformation with a focus on change management, restructuring and acquisitions, crisis management and corporate responsibility. She has a particular passion for digital transformation and leads United Minds’ AI offering.

Barbara Phillips

Founder, Brownstone Communications

Barbara Phillips is the founder and strategic communications consultant at BrownstoneCommunications, where she helps global organisations lead purposeful, people-centred transformation.

A seasoned corporate communications leader, Barbara specialises in embedding inclusive cultures through strategic storytelling, behavioural insight and measurable change programmes. Drawing on techniques from neuro-linguistic programming, mediation and employee experience design, she supports leaders to align values, voice and vision–creating environments where inclusion drives both performance and belonging.

A racial justice activist and trainer, Barbara has developed innovative programmes to advance equity and transformation across the PR and communications industry.She has also served on several boards promoting EDI and racial equity and is a respected public speaker on purposeful transformation and inclusive leadership.

Erum Quddus

Senior Trainer & Consultant - AI, Agile & Tech Change Storyteller, The Agile Storytelling Company

Erum has over 14 years’ experience leading communications for large-scale, complex transformations across banking, IT, fintech and insurance. She has helped organisations translate complex change into clear, compelling stories that resonate with executives and colleagues alike – tackling resistance, building trust and driving buy-in and engagement throughout change journeys.

Her sweet spot is technology-driven change and agility – demystifying both for non-technical audiences, and showing teams how to leverage AI to work smarter, and be more innovative and creative. As a trainer, Erum regularly delivers courses for the Institute of Internal Communication.

Joe Salmon FIIC

Director, Corporate Communications, Iron Mountain

Joe is a seasoned communications leader with a proven track record of driving organisational success. With over two decades of communication expertise, spanning agency, consultancy, and in-house roles at companies including Vodafone, BT, Hill + Knowlton Strategies, and Spotify. He excels at providing strategic leadership communication and coaching to enhance visibility, reputation and trust, while crafting employee campaigns delivered through compelling storytelling to help organisations to grow from the inside out.

His expertise spans leadership communication, employee engagement, and navigating organisational change. Joe has a Post Graduate Diploma in Internal Communication Management, and is a passionate advocate for the internal communication profession, his influence extends beyond the day job. He's an elected Board Director and Fellow at the Institute of Internal Communication, a champion for inclusion and belonging through the UK Black Comms Network, a recognised event host, speaker, mentor, and awards judge. And PRovoke Media Innovator 25 honouree.

Guliz Schaefer

Global Change Communication Lead, Turner & Townsend

Guliz Schaefer is a senior communications and engagement professional specialising in change communication and transformation. With extensive experience in internal communications across mergers, acquisitions and restructures, she has led strategic comms programmes for global organisations including Barclays, BT, Harbour Energy, Intercontinental Hotels, BP and Alliance Boots. Currently Global Change Communication Lead at Turner & Townsend, Guliz combines expertise in digital communication strategy, leadership and crisis communications and organisational transformation to drive engagement through times of change.

Lee Smith

Co-founder, The EX Space

Lee Smith is co-founder of The EX Space, the global learning community for employee communication, experience and engagement professionals, and co-author (with Emma Bridger) of People-First Internal Communication (2025). With over three decades in communication and change consultancy, Lee has advised leading global organisations on improving the employee experience. A Fellow of the IoIC, he co-created the State of the Sector study and helped shape professional standards in internal and change communication.