I moved from graphic design into internal communication, and IOIC membership has supported me every step of the way.
I have been a member of the IOIC for several years and have found it invaluable throughout my communications career. After graduating as a graphic designer (many years ago), I began my professional journey in design before moving into my first communications role with West Midlands Police. Becoming an IOIC member and completing an Internal Communication Diploma early in my career gave me a strong foundation in internal communication and helped me progress professionally.
Currently, I work as a Communications Business Partner at Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, a leading civil engineering company. Since joining the business, I have continued to develop my career and broaden my experience across a wide range of communication disciplines.
Morgan Sindall Infrastructure has been incredibly supportive of my involvement with both the IOIC and the Midlands communications network. This gives me opportunities to learn from peers, share best practices, and stay connected with industry developments are invaluable. I regularly bring those insights back to our wider communications team, helping us strengthen our approach and continue delivering effective communications across the business.
I love internal communication for its variety, no two days are the same.
I started out as a graphic designer before making the move into communications. In my previous role, I worked closely with internal communications and marketing teams, and seeing the role first-hand really inspired me to pursue it as a career. Being involved in projects, campaigns and employee communications gave me a real insight into what the role was all about and made me want to be part of it.
What I love most about communications is the variety. Every day is different, and I get to work with lots of different people across a wide range of projects. One day I might be storyboarding a video, the next planning a photoshoot, leading the communications at an event and planning the bigger picture for the year ahead.
I also enjoy hearing what others are working on. I love uncovering interesting stories, encouraging colleagues to share their successes, and finding ways to bring those stories to life. There are so many great things happening across the business, and it's rewarding to help shine a spotlight on them.
What I enjoy most is bringing a bit of order to the chaos! Communications sit at the heart of so many activities, and I thrive juggling multiple projects, connecting the dots, and making sure everything comes together smoothly. That's probably one of the things I enjoy most about the role.
IOIC training, mentoring (as both mentee and mentor) and the Festival have shaped my development.
My IOIC membership has played a huge part in my development over the years. I've attended a number of IOIC training courses, which have helped me build my skills and stay up to date with what's happening in the communications profession.
One of the most rewarding experiences has been the mentoring programme. I originally joined as a mentee to learn from someone more experienced, but my mentor encouraged me to become a mentor myself. Taking on both roles has taught me a lot. As a mentee, I received valuable advice and guidance that helped me build confidence and advance my career. As a mentor, I've had the opportunity to support others, which has been incredibly rewarding and has also helped me develop my own leadership and coaching skills.
I've also attended the IOIC Festival, which is always a great experience. It was a great opportunity to meet other communicators, hear fresh ideas, pick up practical tips, and share experiences with people facing similar challenges. I came away feeling inspired, full of new ideas, and with a wider network of people I can learn from and connect with throughout the year.
Overall, being part of the IOIC community has helped me build confidence, expand my professional network, and continue developing throughout my career.
One achievement I'm particularly proud of.
One achievement I'm particularly proud of is something I'm still working on today, which is presenting. If I'm honest, it's never come naturally to me, and it's definitely taken me outside of my comfort zone.
Over the years, I've pushed myself to take on more opportunities to present, whether that's speaking at team meetings, events or workshops. While it might not seem like a huge achievement to some, for me, it's all about the small wins. Every time I stand up and present, I build a little more confidence and prove to myself that I can do it.
It's been a real personal development journey, and one that I've learned a lot from. I'm proud that I've continued to challenge myself rather than avoid something I find difficult, and it's helped me grow both professionally and personally.
My advice for anyone starting out in internal communication.
My biggest piece of advice would be to chat to as many communicators as you can. Most of us love a good conversation about communications, sharing ideas and talking about what's worked (and sometimes what hasn't!), so don't be afraid to reach out and ask questions. I've picked up some of my best tips just from talking to people in the profession.
I'd also say make the most of opportunities like the IOIC. Whether it's courses, mentoring, networking events or simply connecting with other members, there's always something you can learn from someone else.
And don't forget to make time for your own development. Communications moves quickly and there's always a new channel, trend or way of doing things to explore. Stay curious, keep learning, and don't put too much pressure on yourself to know everything straight away. The learning never really stops, and that's one of the things I love most about the profession.
