Our latest member spotlight is on David Romanis, Communications Director, Technology and Innovation at HSBC. He shares how he fell into IC by accident, the award winning culture change campaign he's most proud of, and why he thinks every IC professional needs to embrace AI.
I currently lead technology and innovation communications across HSBC, driving understanding and advocacy for the bank’s emerging technology strategy, particularly AI. I also direct the Group CIO’s internal and external communications and lead a small team of IC specialists to create excitement around the technology strategy, predominantly among the engineering and developer community.
Membership with IoIC gives me access to the latest industry intel, which helps me sense-check what I’m doing while also inspiring me with ideas from others across a range of industries I wouldn’t otherwise have access to.
How I found my way into IC
I fell into IC completely by accident: I was working as an IT trainer at News International (now News UK) when the head of IC and I got into a conversation about how bad the intranet looked on my computer (I had a different ‘build’ to him, so the layout he’d meticulously designed was being butchered on my screen). We had various conversations over the following months about the wider world of IC and I became increasingly interested in communications and how they can help transform organisations. That was 19 years ago and I’ve enjoyed a fun and varied career since then.
At first, I was a sole contributor, so I relied on Melcrum and other industry bodies and fellow professionals to build my knowledge and understanding of IC. Nowadays, it’s mainly IoIC, of course, but I still pull insights and latest thinking from a host of online resources and thought leaders.
The old cliché of “no two days are the same” is true: I love the variation of what I get involved in: from change programmes to restructures to culture change; from org announcements to writing articles to creating videos; from leading and developing teams to working with agencies and leaders from all levels – it never stands still! And with the constantly changing corporate world – not to mention the geo-political and social change happening around us – it evolves every month and we need to stay sharp as IC pros.
What IoIC membership has given me professionally
IoIC membership has opened my eyes and ears to experiences from across the world of IC. I have worked in about half a dozen industries, so having access to examples and insights from practitioners in countless other industries has been really useful in taking ideas and applying them to my own work. This kind of access has prevented me from becoming too stale or blinkered in my approach to IC, so I feel I’m always growing as an IC professional.
A career achievement I'm proud of
I’ve achieved countless small wins over my career, which have all contributed to the greater good, so it’s difficult to pick one. If I had to choose, I’d go for the culture change programme at HSBC during my first stint at the bank from 2012-2015, which was in response to being hit with a 5-year deferred prosecution agreement owing to financial crime violations. The bank needed to strengthen its financial crime risk culture significantly, which was underpinned by a campaign called “Ask The Right Questions,” which was designed to prompt people to question decisions in a simple way to help protect the bank, its customers and the financial system as a whole. The campaign won awards and had a measurable impact across more than a quarter of a million colleagues.
My advice for those starting out in IC
Never stop learning! Be curious about what others across the profession are doing and don’t be afraid to try their ideas out in your own role. Finally, immerse yourself in AI and explore what it can do for IC professions – it’s already changing the game for us and we need to be at the forefront of the AI revolution.
A fun fact (mostly true)
In 2018, I wrote, recorded, produced and published an album of original material as a musical experiment called “Dozen Songs,” which won 4 Grammys. Ok, that last part isn’t true.
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The UK's leading annual research into internal communication. This year, the findings are a reality check. Based on a survey of 5,000 UK employees in organisations with 500 or more employees, conducted in partnership with Ipsos Karian and Box.
