Corporate Affairs Summit

Helen Dunne, editor of CorpComms Magazine, talks to Alex Gordon-Shute, founder and director of Ithaca Partners, about how corporate communications has evolved into corporate affairs, the skills that such a function needs today and in the future and just what good looks like

Ed Petter, group corporate affairs director at BT, talks to Basil Towers, principal at Tie-Stone, about his seven years at the telecommunications group, the challenges and issues faced, and what he views as the role of corporate affairs in today's business world.

Businesses will always be accountable to shareholders, but today they are also responsible to stakeholders. By mapping out each group, understanding their priorities, opinions and needs, identifying power dynamics and which matter most at any time, corporate affairs directors can help to mitigate potential crises and boost corporate reputation.

Panel discussion, moderated by Matt Carter, founder, Message House

• Alex Doorey, VP, marketing, corporate affairs and sustainability, Ovo
• Louise Hunter MBE, director of corporate affairs, Northumbrian Water
• Dan Mobley, corporate relations director, Diageo
• David Hamon, head of research, SIGWATCH

Lisa Tremble, chief corporate affairs and sustainability officer, British Airways talks to Helen Dunne, editor of CorpComms Magazine, about her current role, and the skills she believes are necessary to be successful in corporate affairs today.

Operating at the intersection of leadership, culture, comms and the external landscape, no team is better placed than corporate affairs to close the purpose gap and help their organisation unlock the growth, innovation and talent advantages that purpose-driven businesses generate.
This session will reimagine the role of corporate affairs as the stewards of purpose, focusing on the tactics you’ll need to help your business unleash the power of purpose.
Join Becky Willan, CEO and co-founder of Given, to explore how this can be done with confidence and credibility.

The pandemic changed the mindset of many leaders. No longer was their sole focus on managing their businesses, they were now leading their people, with responsibility for their physical, mental and financial wellbeing but also for their safety.

Today’s enlightened businesses (and leaders) are building on those foundations, while addressing social inequality, diversity and inclusion and culture. Hear how corporate affairs is driving this forward.

Panel discussion, moderated by Helen Dunne, editor, CorpComms Magazine

• Karen Campbell-White, deputy director, Office for National Statistics
  
• Kerry Parkin, global corporate communications director, Allwyn
• Pernille Sahl Taylor, chief communications officer, Handelsbanken UK
• Aileen Thompson, director communications and stakeholder management, HS2

Victoria Palmer-Moore, managing partner, Powerscourt, will be discussing the role of corporate affairs with David Duffy, chief executive of Virgin Money UK, asking questions such as:

• What are the key skills that corporate affairs bring to an organisation?
• Are these changing?
• What does 'good' look like?
• Where does it add impact?
• Why is a seat at the table not guaranteed?
• What holds corporate affairs back?
• Why do corporate affairs professionals struggle to get non-exec roles?

The very best corporate affairs professionals operate as leaders of their business - not just their function. They influence strategy, lead execution and deliver results. This requires the perfect mix of Commerciality, Challenge and Change.

Find out how Ithaca Centre's work with top corporate affairs leaders is bringing these attributes front and centre for our profession, and hear practical tips and tricks from three professionals who are leading the way.

Panel discussion, moderated by Alex Cole, leader of the Ithaca Centre

Kathryn Partridge, group corporate affairs director, Britvic
Andrew Walton, chief sustainability officer and chief corporate affairs officer, Lloyds Banking Group
Lucy Yurek, group head of communications, Rio Tinto