Comms Coffee Club Podcast

Hosted by Comms Search and Selection

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Latest episode

May 2025

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About the show

Comms Coffee Club Podcast, hosted by Comms Search & Selection's founder, Max Forsyth. Corporate Communications Leaders from across the UK and USA candidly share their career stories, their comms successes, what makes CEOs great communicators, and their views on the current and future state of communications, and provide valuable insights for both job seekers and employers. 💡 Looking to Hire for Your Comms or IR Team? Visit the Experts Today 👇 Links <img src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/favicon-tbn?q=tbn:ANd9GcRGbbRW-Nkir-fj0uh9ta4dR3JT9M_NSeJZI78bkBEY7e8f6zpDtRVAKF_3d_WdlQ_IlwALDleMlwLTaOkomFRnN_kvLGr03uCVHm_ohFuKR_RpbiedleTF" />Website: commssearch.com <img src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/favicon-tbn?q=tbn:ANd9GcS8vaMCMTgKDYvBiTsfD2NuOjwY41AhmIB7jtEzqIPS3YQxqpP2YalFwVd9MepUHzDw_0-d6xfXTIZRNdEkHZ2UNZDFinJ6iZF-uZhmmr3ELagb31Ql" />LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/comms-search-selection <img src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/favicon-tbn?q=tbn:ANd9GcTH22r6JfLoEVSgX7gIeBTsmmcp7AsEm8At_mnY9_tLW9u124DyV4paGEu-QpXmBXqIPcMSTlv8F5UB5GjedwV6-DWtz_zxEicpcXo-pYZ0TEWaecy4uQ" />Instagram: instagram.com/comms_search_selection Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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25 recent

May 14, 202537 min

Authentic Leadership, Building Trust & UK Energy: Comms and Corporate Affairs Insights with Ann-Marie Wilkinson

In this insightful episode of Comms Coffee Club, Max Forsyth, MD & Founder of Comms Search & Selection, interviews Ann-marie Wilkinson, a corporate communications and public affairs professional with 25 years of experience across highly regulated industries including gambling and energy and has advised and worked with FTSE plcs, including Imperial Tobacco, 888 Holdings (now evoke), IGas Energy and Star Energy.Anne-marie shares invaluable perspectives on strategic stakeholder engagement, effective crisis management, and the pivotal role of data and AI in contemporary communications. Max and Ann-marie discuss the recent success of Reform UK, the election of Dame Andrea Jenkyns as Mayor for Greater Lincolnshire and what this might mean for shale gas, fracking, geothermal and UK energy companies. Ann-marie also reveals who her all-time communications hero is and her favourite CEO she has worked for in terms of their communication ability.This discussion provides communications, corporate affairs and C-Suite leaders with actionable strategies for building organisational trust, navigating complex public perception around critical issues like energy security, and fostering authentic leadership that resonates. Join Max Forsyth of Comms Search & Selection for a strategic dialogue with an industry leader.About Comms Search & SelectionComms Search & Selection is a specialist in-house communications executive search recruitment agency. By matching high-performing professionals with leading companies, they help businesses meet their long and short-term objectives through permanent jobs, contract appointments or interim positions. Tap into their extensive network to find your perfect match, grow your business and your career. Whether you are looking for an executive search agency to build your team, or seeking your next job in corporate communications, internal communications, change communications, investor relations, PR or content, our experienced consultants can help you meet your goals.

January 15, 202554 min

From 80K to 1B Users: LinkedIn's Former Brand & Comms Leader on Building a Global Platform | Ngaire Moyes

In this episode of the Comms Coffee Club podcast, host Max Forsyth interviews Ngaire Moyes, a communications professional with a rich history in the tech industry, having held senior communications and brand positions at LinkedIn and Microsoft. They discuss Ngaire's career journey, the evolution of communications in technology, and her role in shaping LinkedIn's brand and communications across EMEA, APAC and LATAM. They also delve into the challenges faced in leading communications for large tech companies, the integration of brand and communications, and the future trends in the industry. The Comms Coffee Club podcast is produced by Comms Search & Selection. Comms Search & Selection is an executive search and recruitment agency that specialises in supporting businesses in the UK and the US in hiring for their corporate communications, internal communications, change communications, PR and investor relations functions. Whether you are looking to recruit your next Chief Communications Officer or Head of Investor Relations or hiring for Manager to VP-level positions, we are your go-to partner. To find out more, visit: www.commssearch.com Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Ngaire Moyes 07:45 Key Achievements and Experiences 13:14 Engaging Younger Audiences on LinkedIn 19:03 Challenges in a Rapidly Growing Tech Company 25:44 The Evolving Role of Communications Professionals 31:11 Integrating Brand and Communications 36:51 The Future of Brand Communications 41:44 AI: Opportunities and Challenges for Tech Companies 51:39 Reflections and Future Directions

December 23, 202450 min

Joanna Parsons: CEO of The Curious Route and The Curious Tribe

In this episode of the Comms Coffee Club Podcast, host Max Forsyth interviews Joanna Parsons, CEO of The Curious Route and The Curious Tribe.If you're on LinkedIn and work in internal communications, you almost certainly know Joanna. But for those who don't, Joanna runs a fabulous internal communications consultancy, and her punchy, no-nonsense content is a refreshing tonic to a lot of other bland content out there.Looking for Your Next Communications or IR role, or Looking to Hire Into Your Comms or IR Team in the UK or USA?Learn about opportunities and insights into the world of in-house communications with Comms Search and Selection.Visit https://www.commssearch.com/Follow Us for More:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/comms-search-selection/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comms_search_selection/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

October 31, 202440 min

Daniel Méndez: AKA Mr #CommsJobs on the Evolving Landscape of Internal Communications and the Rise of AI

In this episode of the Comms Coffee Club Podcast, host Max Forsyth interviews Daniel Méndez, aka Mr #CommsJobs, a multilingual internal communications expert in the USA.They cover the journey internal communications has been on in the corporate world, from the pre-internet era to the current age of generative AI. Daniel shares his insights on how communicators can leverage emerging technologies while maintaining a human-centric approach.The discussion also covers the importance of networking, building genuine connections, and what it is like being known as Mr #CommsJobs, the LinkedIn initiative that Daniel has spearheaded for promoting and sharing communications job vacancies.This episode provides valuable perspectives for communications professionals working and learning in a changing landscape.Looking for Your Next Communications or IR role, or Looking to Hire Into Your Comms or IR Team in the UK or USA?Learn about opportunities and insights into the world of in-house communications with Comms Search and Selection.Visit https://www.commssearch.com/Follow Us for More:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/comms-search-selection/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comms_search_selection/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

October 4, 202447 min

Max Forsyth: Navigating the Current Communications Job Market AMA Special

In this special episode of the Comms Coffee Club Podcast, Max Forsyth, Founder and Managing Director of Comms Search & Selection, answers your questions from a LinkedIn Live AMA session earlier in 2024. The advice is still as relevant now as it was a few months ago. Max shares invaluable advice on navigating today's challenging communications job market, including what recruiters look for, how to stand out in a competitive field, and the different types of recruitment processes you may encounter. Whether you're a job seeker or a hiring manager, this episode provides practical insights and tips that apply to both the UK and US markets. Don't miss Max's expert perspective on hiring trends, recruitment timelines, and the future of communications roles.Interested in Career Opportunities or Looking to Hire Into Your Comms Team?Learn about opportunities and insights into the world of in-house communications with Comms Search and Selection.Visit https://www.commssearch.com/Follow Us for More:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/comms-search-selection/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comms_search_selection/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

July 22, 202444 min

Wendy Serafin: FinTech Comms, Brand, IPOs and Fractional Communications

In this episode of the Commons Coffee Club podcast, host Max Forsyth chats to Wendy Serafin, a fractional communications leader from Chicago who has led and advised on comms, PR and brand for FinTech companies, including TruStage Ventures, FIS and OppFi. We discuss how she got into comms as a career, what it was like taking OppFi public and the groundwork required to do so, leading communications and brand for The Mom Project and her current career as a fractional CCO to start-up and early seed stage ventures.Looking for Your Next Communications or IR role, or Looking to Hire Into Your Comms or IR Team in the UK or USA?Learn about opportunities and insights into the world of in-house communications with Comms Search and Selection.Visit https://www.commssearch.com/Follow Us for More:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/comms-search-selection/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comms_search_selection/Wendy's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wserafin/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

July 5, 202442 min

Charlotte Otter: Former Head of Executive Communications at SAP Turned Strategic Communications Advisor

The exciting Comms Coffee Club podcast on Executive Communications featuring Charlotte Otter, former Head of Executive Communications at SAP and now Strategic Communications Advisor at Otter Advisory is here!Data-led comms with the C-Suite is crucial but it's not enough. Trust building is the additional human element that goes hand in hand with data storytelling and enables you to become an effective executive communications leader and counsel to senior executives in business.In our Comms Coffee Club session, we discussed the role of emotional intelligence and test in character when forming an effective partnership with the CEO and leaders. Charlotte shares some examples from her time at SAP and now as a strategic advisor to CEOs of adaptability and strategy when it comes to different leader preferences in communications; ranging from social media shy to spotlight seeking. We also touched on the ideal reporting line of the Head of Communications (see poll also) in optimising the function. Looking for Your Next Communications or IR role, or Looking to Hire Into Your Comms or IR Team in the UK or USA?Learn about opportunities and insights into the world of in-house communications with Comms Search and Selection.Visit https://www.commssearch.com/Follow Us for More:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/comms-search-selection/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comms_search_selection/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

June 26, 202440 min

Anna Garcia: Director of Communications at WinGD on Breaking Boundaries and the Future of Sustainable Shipping Communications

In this podcast episode, Max Forsyth interviews Anna Garcia, Communications Director at WinGD, a Swiss marine engine design firm. Anna discusses her career path and current role, emphasising the importance of sustainability and gender diversity in the shipping industry. She highlights the need for balanced, fact-driven communications on shipping sustainability and sustainable fuels. Anna also addresses the male-dominated nature of the industry and advocates for more women in decision-making roles. The conversation covers the challenges of communicating complex engineering concepts, the significance of storytelling, and the future trends in communications, emphasising collaboration, transparency, and effective leadership.Looking for Your Next Communications or IR role, or Looking to Hire Into Your Comms or IR Team in the UK or USA?Learn about opportunities and insights into the world of in-house communications with Comms Search and Selection.Visit https://www.commssearch.com/Follow Us for More:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/comms-search-selection/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comms_search_selection/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 7, 202442 min

Sarah Kemp: Breaking the Mould and Revolutionising Communications Strategies for Business Success

In this podcast episode, Sarah Kemp from fintech startup Moove and host Max Forsyth discuss the evolving role of communications in business. They explore the importance of storytelling, relationship-building, and the strategic role of comms in corporate settings. Sarah reflects on her career, emphasising data-driven narratives and the need for diverse thinking in hiring. They delve into the challenges of remote work, the significance of internal communications, and the potential influence of AI on the industry. Additionally, Sarah highlights the difficulty in demonstrating ROI to executives and the search for advanced analytics tools.Looking for Your Next Communications or IR role, or Looking to Hire Into Your Comms or IR Team in the UK or USA?Learn about opportunities and insights into the world of in-house communications with Comms Search and Selection.Visit https://www.commssearch.com/Follow Us for More:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/comms-search-selection/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comms_search_selection/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

April 8, 202441 min

Agatha Fox: Former Director of Change & Transformation at EY on Embracing Change and Aligning Transformation with Purpose and Values

In this Comms Coffee Club podcast episode, host Max Forsyth interviews Agatha Fox, former Director of People Advisory Services at EY. They delve into Agatha's career path and her experience leading people-focused communications for complex change and transformation programmes for FTSE 100, Fortune 500 and leading global financial and professional services firms. From the intricacies of change management, Agatha underscores the significance of communications and storytelling in making transformations relatable, and she outlines her framework for successful change: inform, involve, ignite, and invite. The discussion also covers the importance of adapting to generational differences and aligning with organisational values, especially regarding sustainability. Agatha offers insights on how she aids businesses in revitalising their transformation efforts and navigating the challenges of change.Looking for Your Next Communications or IR role, or Looking to Hire Into Your Comms or IR Team in the UK or USA?Learn about opportunities and insights into the world of in-house communications with Comms Search & Selection.Visit https://www.commssearch.com/Follow Us for More:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/comms-search-selection/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comms_search_selection/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.