We help you
tell your story.
ABOUT
We are a network of senior communications professionals working together with clients to develop, promote and grow their reputation.
We are not a traditional agency. We are a network of freelance consultants who will work with you to build a team that is bespoke to your needs. Without the overheads of an agency, we can provide value and longevity, providing staff on an ad hoc or a secondment basis.
Operating across all sectors, we have honed our experience shaping political campaigns and leading communications activity for high-profile government programmes under huge media and public scrutiny. We bring the best of each of us to the partners we work with.
In an increasingly unpredictable world, where an organisation’s reputation is all, we have developed specialist skills to support clients through crises and change programmes, with a focus on managing communications and stakeholder risk.
As independent and experienced consultants we bring creativity and boldness together with deep insight and understanding of the challenges organisations face. We have developed and delivered strategies for political leaders at every level, as well as CEOs and senior executives in the public, private and charitable sectors.
TELLING YOUR STORY
We bring a distinctive approach that enables story-telling to breathe life into an organisation and its work.
Throughout history, humans have told stories. These echo through generations crossing cultures and languages. These stories can be counter-factual and are based on an emotional response to people, places and groups.
The most effective organisations are ones that engage effectively with customers, staff and stakeholders telling stories, often on an emotional level, driving loyalty and developing passion.
The strongest narrative starts with the question Simon Sinek posed: ‘why’?
Why does your organisation exist; why are you leading this change; why should the public care about the issue that matters to you?
SERVICES
JOIN THE STORY NETWORK
We work individually with clients with the knowledge each of us is supported and backed up by our network.
Unlike the traditional agency model, we can draw on a network of associates who can provide support either on an ad hoc or secondment basis, providing the skills and knowledge to meet your business objectives.
We draw on each other to challenge ourselves and received wisdom in order to provide our clients with the best possible advice and support. If you would like to talk to us about how we can help your organisation or you as an individual, then we’d love to discuss.
If you're a freelancer with communications experience and interested in joining the network, please fill in your details here (Google form) and we'll be in touch.
OUR TEAM
Jo Gibbons
Jo is a senior communications strategist with over 25 years' experience at the highest levels of government, consultancy and in-house. She is an experienced team leader who knows how to communicate complex and controversial issues to wide and varied audiences and to motivate those around me to deliver. Jo has advised a Prime Minister, as well as senior Cabinet Ministers and officials, on all aspects of communications and has directly represented those politicians to external stakeholders and influencers. She has led in-house and consultancy teams delivering strategic planning as well as specialising in media relations, stakeholder engagement, event management, marketing and public affairs campaigning. Most recently she ran the marketing function for the Health Industries business at PwC and is currently providing communication support to a number of charities. She is an Associate at the Sheila McKechnie Foundation and a Board member of Compassion in Dying and Haringey, Hackney and Waltham Forest Homestart. Email Jo.
Ed Owen
Ed has been providing high-level communications advice in government and outside for almost three decades. A trained journalist, he was a special adviser to the Home Secretary and Foreign Secretary between 1997 and 2005, and then a communications consultant to organisations such as EMI, Channel 4 and the British Beer & Pub Association. Ed was CEO of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust between 2012 and 2016 before helping to shape and lead new teams as Director of Communications at HM Courts & Tribunals Service (2017-20) and Ark Schools (2020-22). He has specific expertise in justice, health and foreign affairs. Ed is a trustee of London’s Air Ambulance and has particular knowledge and experience of charity communications and campaigns.
Email Ed.
Alex Bigham
Alex is a strategic communications and consultation specialist with 20 years’ experience supporting clients with engagement of stakeholders and media management, who specialises in infrastructure, healthcare and crisis communications. He has worked with private and public organisations ranging from corporates such as Microsoft, to public-sector institutions including the NHS and Ark Schools. Most recently, he supported National Highways prepare their planning application for the Lower Thames Crossing, an £8bn infrastructure project. During the pandemic, he was seconded to the Department of Health and Social Care as a Deputy Director for Strategic Communications, leading on Covid-19 work. A former councillor, he has worked as an independent consultant for five years, including as an associate with Deloitte, developing crisis communications protocols for clients. Email Alex.
WHO WE'VE WORKED WITH
