Change communications

You can hire me to work on your change communication project. I have experience in:

Mergers and acquisitions
IT / digital transformations
Service changes
Relocations
Restructures

A second pair of eyes

I can be a soundboard for your communications plans, and offer constructive feedback and guidance on your proposals. You may find this useful if:

You’d like an impartial third-party opinion
You’re a one-person communications function
Communications isn’t your usual specialism and you’d like some expert guidance

Standlone comms

If you’re struggling for capacity and need some help on a particular piece of work, I can help. Companies typically hire me to:

Write a crisis communication plan
Map their stakeholders
Compile reports

I was impressed with Julie’s business acumen from the start and I don’t think I have seen anyone before grasping our complex business as quickly as Julie did. She was able to hit the ground running from day one and quickly established herself as the ‘go to person’ for proposition-related matters in Europe.

I was also impressed with Julie’s ability to build great working relations with people at all levels, including senior stakeholders. Great, experienced, common sense marketer and a pleasure to work with.

Gosia Szemel, European Proposition and Paid Media Manager, Farnell element14

Julie was a pleasure to work with; organised, efficient and knowledgeable. I wouldn’t hesitate to work with her again.

Jo Ireland, Customers, Communities and Partnerships Manager, Scarborough Borough Council

About me and how I work

I’m Julie Sykes, and I’m here to help your business communicate change better.

To quote Dr Stephen Covey, I like to “start with the end in mind”, and work with you to understand your objectives.

I then create communications plans and resources that deliver value for your business.

Before setting up my business, I worked for 15+ years in multinational companies in communications and marketing leadership roles. For more on my career history, visit my LinkedIn profile. I hold the Prince2 Project Management Certificate and the Advanced Certificate from the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM).

Each year The Comms Guide supports a charity that promotes equality, education and training for young people. In 2019 we donated to The Princes Trust, and in 2020 to Blueprint for all (formerly The Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust).

When I’m not being The Comms Guide, I love to travel (I also run a travel blog), to keep fit, and to see my friends. Hubby and I also spend copious amounts of time doing up our “project” house in York.

About me and how I work

I’m Julie Sykes, and I’m here to help you communicate change better.

Before setting up my business, I worked for 15+ years in multinational companies in communications and marketing leadership roles. For more on my career history, visit my LinkedIn profile.

To quote Dr Stephen Covey, I like to “start with the end in mind”, and work with you to understand your objectives.

I then design and manage communications projects and resources that deliver the right type of value for your business.

I hold the Prince2 Project Management Certificate and Advanced Certificate from the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM).

Some of my previous clients

Energy and utilities

As a consultant working with Northern Powergrid, I devised a stakeholder engagement strategy, plan and framework. I also compiled reports on stakeholder engagement activity for their 2016/17 stakeholder engagement incentive regulatory submission, improving their industry ranking from fifth to third.

I’ve also worked for energy generator Drax on integration communications following a merger and acquisition.

Healthcare

As Marketing and Communications Associate for a creative consultancy specialising in healthcare, I carried out market research and focus groups with healthcare professionals in order to shape new service design.

Before setting up my business, I was Communications Manager for multinational pharmaceutical company Teva.

Public sector

Working with eight partner NHS and local government organisations across health and social care in Scarborough and Ryedale, I designed a communications and stakeholder engagement programme for patients and the public.

Financial services

As Communications Consultant for a financial services company, I designed and managed the customer communications programme for a major IT transformation change programme.

I also developed their plan to manage communications in the event of a business continuity incident.

Get in touch

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