Panel
Our panel session explores employee experience through the lens of human connection and conversation. In recent years, factors such as Covid, hybrid working and the pressure for profit have disrupted how people connect at work. Yet genuine conversations remain central to trust, belonging and a sense of being valued. The discussion will highlight how clear, empathetic and authentic communication can transform the employee journey – from onboarding to career development, collaboration and even exit.
By focusing on the quality of human connections rather than just systems or policies, the panel will show how conversation helps shift organisations from transactional workplaces tomeaningful, engaging cultures where people can thrive.
Neil Hopkins is a writer by trade, a strategist at heart, and a geek for anything to do with social marketing and behaviour change.
Over the past 20 years, he has won awards and built a strong track record in strategic communications (internal and external), reputation management, crisis communications, stakeholder engagement, change management, and brand building.
Neil’s approach to sharing stories is simple: tell your people, then your partners, then your publics.
Jackie Novels is a strategic communications leader with 26 years’ experience across the public and private sectors, specialising in internal engagement, external reputation, and organisational transformation.
Based in Bristol, she currently leads the Communications, Media & Marketing team at DE&S, part of the Civil Service. Outside of work, Jackie uses her communications expertise to support two charities, is a mum of twins, and sings in a gospel choir in Bath.
Will has been an internal communicator for over 20 years, working across industries including public health, defence, housing, and global FMCG.
A veteran webinar and conference speaker, he has also served as an IC judge and has a particular passion for transformation and digital employee experience.
Committed to extolling the value of strategic internal communication, Will is an active mentor and contributes to the IoIC mentoring programme.
