The Future of Internal Communication

Hosted by Institute of Internal Communication

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100

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Aug 2026

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About the show

The Future of Internal Communication podcast is a series commissioned by The Institute of Internal Communication. Organisations today face widespread and continuous disruption. The way communication takes place within and across teams, departments and business units is more critical than ever. The podcast hosts subject matter experts from within and outside internal communication, each sharing their insights on the future of work and the role of communication as an essential driver of workplace trust, connection, culture, innovation, resilience and performance. Hosts Jennifer Sproul, Dominic Walters and Cat Barnard explore opportunity for internal communicators. In increasingly digital, data driven, distributed and on-demand work landscapes, their conversations with thought-leaders examine the human side of work.

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September 9, 2026Episode 9849 min

Hope is a strategy with Ian Pettigrew

Having completed an MSc in Applied Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology, leadership development coach Ian Pettigrew wanted to share his findings. His studies have identified hope as an essential feature of any leadership communication endeavour and a linchpin of successful and lasting change. And yet it’s no mean feat to instil a sense of hope when the external operating landscape throws up persistent challenge, complexity and ambiguity. But as a recent Harvard Business Impact article noted, leaders “have astonishing influence over the internal performance environment, including employee engagement, morale, and productivity.” This episode, Jen, Cat, Dom and Ian explore the link between trust and hope and the role internal communication plays in helping build hopeful, high-performing operating environments About Ian Pettigrew Ian B Pettigrew is a coach and leadership development consultant focused on helping leaders inspire hope. He’s a Gallup-certified strengths coach, a Fellow Member of the Association for Coaching, and a member of the Association for Business Psychology. He has an MSc in Applied Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology, has twice been named by HR Magazine (in 2023 and 2026) as one of HR’s Most Influential Thinkers, and his debut book – Hope is a Strategy – is a finalist for the Business Book Awards Leadership book of the year. Ian is the founder of a skills-based volunteering initiative called Connecting HR Africa. Outside of work, Ian competes in Agility with his Border Collie, Buddy, and is currently training for an Everesting cycling challenge to raise money for charity. Find Ian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianpettigrew/ Ian’s website: https://hope.tips/

August 5, 2026Episode 9749 min

The vital importance of access to good work with Anna Ambrose

Good quality, meaningful work is vital for mental, emotional and financial wellbeing. This is even more important for young people entering the labour market for the first time. US research shows university graduates entering the workforce during a recession experience lower earnings for at least 10-15 years longer than those who start work when economies are doing well. But what is good work and why does it matter? As pathways into working life face their biggest challenge in decades, creating high-quality apprenticeships matters more than ever. In this final episode of series 16, Anna Ambrose, CEO of Workwhile, shares her insights on the importance of creating work and career opportunities that deliver meaning and purpose for young people. About Anna Ambrose Anna is CEO of Workwhile – a small charity with a mission to create a fairer world of work. She has led Workwhile’s strategy and operations from its inception as a pilot project incubated by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR). Since 2020, Workwhile has improved the working lives of 3,000 people from disadvantaged and marginalised backgrounds, by creating new apprenticeships and high-quality work opportunities. Prior to joining IPPR in June 2019, Anna worked for education charity Ambition Institute, supporting schools and multi-academy trusts to develop their workforce and leading the operational delivery of Ambition's sales and account management function. Anna also led Ambition's staff equality, diversity and inclusion work. Outside work, Anna is chair of governors at a local primary school. Find Anna on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-ambrose-46400234/ Workwhile website: https://workwhile.org.uk/

July 22, 2026Episode 9647 min

Using internal communication to inspire young people at work with Antoinette Gyan

Given the range of global forces disrupting the way work gets done, do we need new ways of leading? What role does communication play in motivating and inspiring young people at work? Through this lens, internal communication has a critical role to play. This episode, Jen, Dom and Cat meet with Antoinette Gyan. With more than a decade’s experience working with the UN and non-profits including UNICEF and Plan International, Antoinette has accumulated a wealth of experience in helping organisations communicate, lead and grow. She blends this with her passion of developing young leaders who will shape tomorrow’s workplaces. About Antoinette Gyan Some professionals build careers. Antoinette Gyan, builds people — and the systems that allow them to thrive. A Leadership Communication Coach and Internal Communication Auditor, Antoinette has spent over a decade working with the United Nations, UNICEF, and Plan International, shaping how organisations communicate, lead, and grow. She now partners with organisations globally to transform culture from the inside out. But perhaps her most personal work lives closest to her heart — as Founder of YSA Global, a youth-focused NGO investing in the development of young leaders who will shape tomorrow's workplaces. Today, she joins us to share what internal communication must do differently to support, retain, and empower young professionals. Please welcome Antoinette Gyan. Antoinette on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoinette-gyan-apr-574a41225/ Antoinette’s website: https://www.araba-africa.com/

July 8, 2026Episode 9546 min

How to have difficult conversations at work with Neil Hopkins

In 2026, across the board, organisations are struggling to maintain team cohesion. With so many societal issues in need of resolution, and an inflammatory media whose success depends on sensationalist headlines that blame and shame, there’s no shortage of things to disagree on. This has profound consequences for organisations that desperately need group harmony for successful collaboration and innovation. This episode Dom and Cat meet communications strategist Neil Hopkins to learn about how to have inclusive, empathic conversations that build unity, even when topics are delicate and require deep diplomacy and tact. About Neil Hopkins Neil is a writer by trade, a strategist at heart and a geek when it comes to behaviour change communications. Insatiably curious, his specific interest is in building the systems and growing the soul of great communications, which he’s developed during 20+ years leading communications agendas mostly in the UK public sector. His projects have won awards, he’s secured industry accolades for a wide range of organisations and deftly steered the response to multiple crisis events. For fun, he reviews submissions for international social marketing conferences and curates a LinkedIn community for ‘Secret Social Marketers’ (to which you’re all invited). Find Neil on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/interacter/ Find Interacter : https://interacter.co.uk/

June 24, 2026Episode 9455 min

How to simplify internal communication with Chris Lovett

Organisations face unprecedented levels of challenge. New technologies, economic and geopolitical instability and more create complexity on a scale most organisations are ill-equipped to address. Confusion reigns and most people at work struggle to know what to address first. But how much of our current work turmoil is compounded by out-of-date working practices and processes? How much day-to-day work activity no longer delivers value? Colleagues are endlessly busy but are they doing work that matters? This episode, Chris Lovett introduces the concept of workplace minimalism. His latest book Relentless is an elegy for simplifying work so that people can deliver better outcomes. For harried internal communicators, this is an episode not to be missed. About Chris Lovett Chris Lovett is an executive coach, TEDx speaker, and the author of two books about the power of less. His TEDx talk, 'Less Busy More Impact', and his bestselling first book Discovery of Less established him as one of the UK's most distinctive voices on sustainable work and living with less. His second book, Relentless: The Power of Doing Less in a Workplace that Demands More, brings that same philosophy into the workplace, helping the busiest of people manage their time, prevent burnout and navigate the chaos of modern work. Over the last ten years Chris has coached c-suite teams and senior leaders in FTSE100 companies spanning Europe, APAC and the US, as well as clients in the legal, retail and insurance industries. His work has been featured in The Times, The Independent, CEO Magazine, Marie Claire and HR Magazine, and he has appeared on dozens of podcasts including Leaders in Finance, Truth Lies and Work, and The Self Care Club. With endorsements from Olympic legend Colin Jackson CBE, Professor of Leadership Dr Megan Reitz and LinkedIn Top Voice Bruce Daisley, Chris strikes the perfect balance between inspirational coach and your mate down the pub, warm, witty and occasionally hilarious. Find Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-lovett-29176933/ Chris’s website: https://www.chrislovett.co.uk/ Chris’s SubStack: https://chrislovett3.substack.com/

June 10, 2026Episode 9345 min

AI and the future of the intranet with Suzie Robinson

As new generative and agentic AI’s become commercially available, the way colleagues access and consume information and knowledge at work is set to transform. Rather than browse an intranet, soon colleagues will interact with AI agents that cross-reference, interpret, summarise proprietary information and deliver insights in a fashion that’s customised to the unique needs of each user. This presents a massive opportunity for internal communicators, assuming of course that current intranet set-ups are optimally configured. This episode, digital employee experience consultant Suzie Robinson shares her experience of working with intranets and her predictions for how AI will transform the workplace in the coming years. Suzy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzie-robinson/ Clearbox website: https://www.clearbox.co.uk/

May 27, 2026Episode 9247 min

AI and the future of internal communication with Frank Dias

AI continues to dominate boardroom conversations. As organisations race to achieve efficiency gains, a key question for all professions is the extent to which these new technologies will transform core responsibilities. While certain elements of internal communication are, and should always remain, uniquely human, other more transactional components can be automated. But breaking down workflows isn’t always easy. It can be challenging to know where and how to get started. Internal communication consultant Frank Dias has worked with GenerativeAI since its launch in late 2022. In this episode he shares his experience, expertise, hints and tips for successful AI integration into internal comms activities. About Frank Dias Frank Dias is an AI Adoption & Change Consultant at Quilter, and the founder of Ai x Comms Lab, where he helps organisations build sustainable AI capability through a human-first lens. With over 15 years in communications, he brings a grounded, practical perspective to AI transformation, having led early AI integration across four complex global organisations. His work focuses on cutting through vendor promises to identify the real organisational conditions needed for successful adopt and foster AI aligned with your use cases. Find Frank on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frankdias/ Frank’s website: https://www.aixcommslab.com/

May 13, 2026Episode 9155 min

Bridging generations: the power of mentoring and early careers support with Mercy Abel

The world of work has been in continuous flux since 2020. Every week another crisis emerges to further complicate the delivery of strategic objectives. This is stressful across the board. But what is it like for those who started work for the first time after COVID? What impact do continuously shifting work priorities and practices have on younger workers and the support they need to progress? In this first episode of series 16, Jen, Dom and Cat chat with Mercy Abel, founder of It Is Who You Know, to uncover the value of mentoring to bridge intergenerational divides and superpower early years careers. Despite university attendance reaching record levels in recent years, the latest UK data shows nearly one million young people aged between 16-24 are now not in education, employment or training. Young people are struggling to enter, and remain in, the labour market. While there are many reasons for this, AI job displacement seems to have hit younger workers far harder than other generations. Unless addressed, this will have disastrous consequences in the years to come. A COVID graduate herself, Mercy Abel experienced first-hand the challenges of entering the workforce for the first time. Having gained immense value from a mentorship opportunity, she has gone on to build an award-winning internship programme to help kickstart early careers within the creative industry. About Mercy Abel Mercy is a multi-award winning marketer & founder of a future workforce consultancy, Who You Know (WYK) shaping the talent of tomorrow. WYK supports organisations to understand, connect, and recruit incoming talent through intergenerational learning, mentorship, and strategic insight. She is passionate about platforming talent, building community and connecting people to opportunity. She has done this through co-founding an award-winning marketing and creative internship programme named Futures UNLOCKED , providing almost 50 paid internships and free upskilling workshops for a 600+ network of emerging creatives across Scotland. Throughout her career, she has been awarded for 2025’s The Media Leader’s 50 Black Women Gamechangers in Media, 2024 Campaign’s IPA iList , 2023 Media Week 30 under 30 , The Media Leader Future 100 Club and 2022 Advertising Association’s BRiM Changemaker . Find Mercy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mercyabel/ Mercy’s website: https://www.itiswhoyouknow.co.uk/

April 15, 2026Episode 9052 min

The business value of sustainability communication with Daniel Cope

The UK's net zero sector is now growing three times faster than the broader economy. In summer 2025, the UK Office for Budget Responsibility confirmed that achieving net zero costs far less than inaction and renewable energy has become significantly cheaper faster than previously forecast. Yet most of this positive news doesn’t feature in the mainstream media, overshadowed by clickbait doom-mongering headlines. In this episode, Chartered Environmentalist Daniel Cope shares his experience of helping organisations reduce carbon emissions and waste and highlights why internal communication is an integral element of sustainable business. About Daniel Cope Dan is a Chartered Environmentalist and the Founder of Green Lark Environmental Solutions, bringing nearly two decades of experience helping organisations navigate the realities of climate change. His work spans small enterprises to global multinationals, supporting leaders to cut emissions, strengthen resilience, and embed sustainability into strategic decision‑making. Driven by a belief that environmental stewardship and economic viability must work in tandem, Dan specialises in carbon accounting, net‑zero strategy, and the development of credible, measurable emission‑reduction programmes. He is known for translating complex climate data into clear, actionable insight, and for challenging organisations to recognise both their impact and their opportunity to lead. A passionate climate‑change speaker, Dan works to move climate action beyond political polarisation, helping organisations communicate with clarity and purpose. His focus is on enabling leaders to reduce emissions in ways that enhance performance, credibility and long‑term value. Find Daniel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/copedaniel/ Greenlark: https://www.greenlark.co.uk/

April 1, 2026Episode 891 hr 1 min

The way we talk around here with Gill Ereaut

Highly commended in the 2025 Business Book Awards, The Way We Talk Around Here offers a treasure trove for internal communicators. It examines the intricate interplay between culture and language, showcasing how the forensic analysis of language and discourse can accelerate organisational performance. In this episode, Jen, Dom and Cat chat with Gill to learn about her work and what she has learned about how the choice of language – both written and spoken – go on to shape and underpin culture. Understanding the relationship between language and culture is a superpower to be leveraged by internal communicators seeking to deliver strategic impact. About Gill Ereaut Gill Ereaut is a researcher, author, speaker and organisational consultant. She founded the consultancy Linguistic Landscapes in 2002, pioneering the application of language sciences to real organisational issues. Her book "The Way We Talk Around Here: How your organization's culture shows up in your language and why it matters" is an Amazon No.1 Bestseller, was Highly Commended in the 'People, Culture and Management' category of the Business Book Awards 2025, and won in the 'Stories and Conversations' category of The Change Ninja Book Awards 2025. She holds degrees in Psychology and Contemporary Cultural Processes and has amassed more than 40 years’ experience in business consulting. She remains insatiably curious about organisations and language and the effects they have on each other. She lives in Oxford, UK with an oversized whippet and (probably) too many books. Find Gill on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gillereaut/ Linguistic Landscapes website: https://linguisticlandscapes.com/ Get the book: https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-way-we-talk-around-here/gill-ereaut/9781788604840