Voice - Member Magazine

May Flanagan, founder of Flanagan Communications and IoIC Ireland network lead, brings 13 years’ global experience in change communication, helping organisations navigate transformation with empathy and clarity. Here she reflects on storytelling in Ireland and keeping people motivated in times of change.

Shalini Gupta, head of internal communications UKIMEA at Arup, shares how people, purpose and inclusion have influenced her journey and leadership philosophy.

Internal communication may be a global profession, but it is shaped by deeply local cultures, contexts and expectations, making the balance between global consistency and local authenticity more important than ever. Drawing on perspectives from communicators around the world, our latest Voice series explores how trust, listening and human connection remain the constants that drive meaningful engagement, wherever people work. First, Keith Berman, director of internal communications at US-based software company Vertafore, discusses AI’s impact, navigating political sensitivities and why internal comms must be seen as essential, not optional.

Clarity in internal communication is more than simple language. It’s about making messages understandable, relevant and authentic, aligning leadership, managers and communicators so employees connect, trust and act on what they hear.

Aviva empowered six employee communities with dedicated internal comms takeovers, sharing stories to boost awareness – driving 280 per cent traffic growth, thousands of comments and 30 per cent membership increase.

Gareth Orr from Gallagher explains how AI is changing what good communication looks like – and why clarity, structure and literacy now shape how we work with it.

As we continue to reflect on the skills internal communicators will need in their future, here Lindsay Lee Turner considers how her experience in IC is helping her in her current role as executive advisor, leadership consultant and CEO for Frank Advisors.

Experian’s We Do That campaign used powerful colleague storytelling to bring its purpose to life, helping employees see how their work improves people’s financial health and making the company feel more human.

What does it take to thrive as an internal comms contractor? Sejal Popat reveals the skills, mindset and realities behind a career built on short-term roles.

A growing number of internal communication professionals are being asked to step up as strategic advisers to the top of the organisation. What are the skills and tactics you need to influence, coach and challenge leaders?

When Sara Barrow, head of communications for Arriva Rail London, and her team wanted a more in-depth understanding of employees, she reached out to Henry Davies, founder of 106 Communications.