NICOLA BOWEN REES MCIPR MPRCA MTS TCN BA (HONS) Tel: 07590 030 258
Email:
[email protected]
Based: Kent
CAREER To date: Basildon Borough Council, Basildon Jan to Oct 2015 Interim head of communications (on contract through Westco, Westminster City Council’s trading arm)
Created holistic internal communications and engagement plan covering major transformational change involving new HR practices, workforce moves, co-location, customer services. Worked collaboratively with Head of HR/OD on 2015 staff survey to improve staff perception of the council as a good place to work. As communications head of service, provided guidance, support and speechwriting to chief executive, leader, cabinet and senior commissioning directors on all press/media reputational issues/handling, also managing press team. Introduced a more proactive, research and evidence-based approach for external and internal digital/offline campaigns and activities, with monthly/quarterly evaluation reporting. Managed the council’s communications budget of c. £450,000 and income generation through sponsorship and advertising. Management of communications team consisting of media/press, internal communications, corporate marketing, events and sponsorship, print/design, external campaigns (digital/offline).
Peterborough City Council, Peterborough Dec 2013 to Dec 2014 Interim head of marketing communications (on contract through Westminster City Council/Westco)
Major role in enabling communications team (15 staff) to move from 80% reactive to 70%+ proactive working, by introducing and embedding strategy, planning, clearer processes and protocols, more efficient control of the communications budget. Led the team’s work with IT on a digital strategy for the council to increase online transactions and engagement, with early successes from a My Peterborough App, website review and development of new site, increased use of social media. Led the team’s work on successful evidence/research based campaigns/engagement for streetscene, fostering recruitment, regeneration, children’s and adult services. Provided strategic and day-to-day communications/media guidance to senior directors, heads of service and councillors, including media/reputational issues, speech writing.
Increased internal communications use of engagement and improved content of corporate updates. Instigated early work to introduce wider income streams for sponsorship and advertising revenue and a make or buy procurement exercise for the council’s print room hub operation.
Voluntary/part-time freelance work /study Jan 2013 to Dec 2013 Part-time freelance marketing communications for SMEs in Kent. Commenced online postgraduate diploma in digital and direct marketing via the IDM. Voluntary chair of communications for Tourism Management Institute (TMI).
Sulis Projects Ltd, Sevenoaks Sept 2007 to Dec 2012 Director of Marketing, Communications, PR. Own marketing communications business, providing services to private and public sector organisations on interim contract and project basis. Work included: Mannamead Destination Marketing (MDM) a division of Deighton International Group), Southampton Associate and Head of Marketing Communications for tourism destination specialist (project basis).
Co-developed bids/tenders and tourism marketing strategies for several key projects in Georgia, Sierra Leone and UK. Led market research and feasibility studies for potential tourism tours in the Emilia Romagna region of Italy, exploring culinary, agro-tourism, cycling, bird watching and heritage themes.
National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA), London Senior Communications manager (extended contract and maternity cover), Office of the Chief Information Officer for Information, Communications, Technology and Science (ICTS). Created and implemented a comprehensive marketing and communications ‘umbrella’ strategy and plan to support major transformation change programmes and projects in UK national policing, impacting/effecting 43 forces. Matrix managed and trained marketing/communications officers assigned to various programmes and projects. Provided communications/media guidance, speech writing to CIO, directors, heads of policy and attended senor management team boards and meetings. Planned and implemented national high-profile campaigns/engagement activities, working in conjunction with the Home Office, Metropolitan Police and regional police forces, the Association for Chief Police Officers (ACPO), and other government departments. National Assessment Agency (NAA), London Interim marketing communications manager - Internal Assessment Campaign and Launch.
Created internal assessment content, materials and branding for NAA internet and intranet. Produced and implemented marketing, communications and PR strategy and plan.
Led successful launch event and provided communications support for initial rollout of programme.
Ministry of Justice, London Marketing/Communications Advisor - Corporate Communications Directorate.
Planned and implemented a ‘top 100’ stakeholder engagement exercise to improve communications and align activities between senor directors and managers and their top external stakeholders/partners. With the Home Office’s strategic stakeholder team, initiated MOJ’s sharing of the Home Office’s stakeholder database model, saving the MOJ early research and development costs. Led a review of an under achieving and demotivated marketing team, putting in place improved ways of working, clearer processes and protocols for publications and branding guidelines.
Leader of Support Sevenoaks Shops campaign (voluntary) (2010 - 2011) Devised a voluntary local campaign to support Sevenoaks’ ailing high street and independent businesses. Activity included: Holding public consultation with retailers and residents and presentations to council meetings. Joint working with council’s economic development team, liaison with Department of Communities and Local Government on localism, meetings with local MP Michael Fallon Co-production of a draft regeneration proposal. Media handling with Sevenoaks Chronicle and discussion around introducing a Sevenoaks Loyalty Card for independent shops (later introduced and highly successful). My work on the campaign was locally acknowledged as instrumental to the reforming of the Sevenoaks Town Partnership and I was a member of the new Board in its first year. The Home Office June 2003 – end Aug 2007 Marketing and Communications Advisor – Programme and Project Management Centre of Excellence (PPMSU).
Created a new comprehensive communications strategy and media plan (endorsed by the permanent secretary as an exemplar) to support PPM transformational change across the Home Office group. Communicated a highly successful range of UK-wide branded seminar, workshop and engagement events across the Home Office Group and agencies. Led working and user groups on the development, content and branding of the PPM web/intranet sites and new online PPM toolkit, acknowledged as excellent best practice examples by senior management. Provided PPM communications guidance and media relations support for the Home Office’s major change reform programme in 2006/2007.
Citib@se, London April to June 2003 Short marketing assignment while awaiting security clearance for Home Office role.
Lambeth Council, London Oct 2002 to April 2003 Interim Head of Secretariat for Executive Directorate, Social Services.
Successfully reorganised and improved an under performing team, reduced staff by two, with a saving of c.£45,000 per annum. Reviewed executive board submissions and secretariat processes/protocols and replaced with clearer, more efficient ways of working. Devised and managed a ‘first month’ introduction programme for incoming new executive director within the council and with external partner organisations.
Foundation for International Education, London March to Sept 2002 Director of marketing development– educational development project. Developed short notice campaign to urgently replace lost revenue from USA study abroad market resulting from 9/11 disaster, with European students on English language courses. Secured an agreement with an Italian government organisation for Foundation to host and teach summer school programmes for Italian students, guaranteeing revenue of c. £450,000 gross. Short-term contracts
July 2001 – Feb 2002
Global Knowledge, Maidenhead Marketing contractor - Produced new online and printed IT education course brochure for international marketing campaign. CPR Empower, Marlow Marketing and logistics for prestige Tower of London Event - Created a marketing strategy and logistics plan for a major Italian pharmaceutical company’s annual event at the Tower of London with 2000 delegates. Career break for travelling
Aug 2000 – June 2001
Study Group International (SGI), Brighton Jan 1997 – June 2000 London region programmes and marketing manager for Turkey, Poland, Bulgaria, UK and British Council.
Revamped tired London programmes for 6 London summer schools, sourcing and contracting new venues for accommodation, teaching and cultural activities provision. Increased revenue and staff performance significantly over a three year period for London summer schools, with London consistently winning top place (Increase of 20% revenue each year) Active on overseas marketing and PR campaigns across numerous countries, increasing student admission numbers for London and other UK schools.
Paid work placements While undergoing full time Degree course at Swansea Metropolitan University:
Study Group International June – Oct 1996 Centre manager for new ‘flagship summer school based at South Bank University. Study Group International June – Oct 1995 Centre Manager for adults summer school, based at University College London (UCL).
After managing successful 1996 London summer programme, offered permanent contract with Head Office, starting January 1997.
EDUCATION/PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS Member of Chartered Institute of Public Relations – MCIPR. Member of Public Relations Communications Association MPRCA. Member of The Tourism Society and Tourism Society Consultants’ Network (MTS TCN). BA Hons Leisure and Tourism Management (awarded by University of West of England). Postgraduate course (online) in digital and direct marketing communications – IDM (2013-2015). IDM Award for CPD 2014. Member of DotNative digital community.
