Comms Legend: The Origins Story
If you’ve ever wondered how a love of creativity, a few happy accidents, and a healthy dose of determination could turn into a business this is the story.
If you’d told a 16 year old me that one day I’d be branded the Comms Legend by my clients and be running a business helping creative folk and organisations communicate and connect with clarity and confidence, I probably would’ve laughed, because seriously, who knew this could be a job?! 1997 careers advisors definitely did not.
The clues were there, though really. For as long as I can remember, creativity and connecting with people has been the heartbeat of my life. I was the kid scribbling short stories, sketching outfits, singing in choirs, and performing in living room productions with my cousins. I even managed to wriggle my way out of science lessons at school by hiding in the music hut.
Finding my voice in the creative world
After school, that same love of creativity and connection took me to Performing Arts College in Bristol, where I trained in acting, writing, directing and producing. Outside the classroom, I spent all the time I could in the city’s creative scene, volunteering at the (then newly formed) Cube Microplex, working front of house in concert halls and at the Bristol Old Vic, and, for a time, earning the affectionate title of “Bristol’s favourite door person” at gigs, cinemas and theatre shows.
Being in those spaces taught me the power of voice and how to use it. I learnt what it meant to be clear, to speak up, how to be truly heard, and vitally, how to listen. Those experiences shaped my relationships with people, and with myself. They helped me build my self-awareness, courage, and confidence, and set the stage (oh the puns!) for everything that came next.
An ‘accidentally on purpose’ communications career
In 2005, almost by accident, I fell into a full-time role in corporate internal communications for an insurance company. It wasn’t the industry of my dreams, but it turned out to be the start of something much bigger. I had mentors and managers who invested in me, challenged me, and gave me the training and confidence to grow. In my family, these kinds of people are called “latch-lifters” - the people who help open doors - I’m forever grateful to and for them.
I quickly became a specialist in communicating change, often the complex, difficult, human stuff like large scale redundancies, office moves and business closures. I worked both as an employee and through an agency, across industries from banking to manufacturing, and education to the environment, with a great deal of time spent in the arts and media.
The constant thread running throughout my comms career has been helping people communicate clearly and intentionally, with awareness and sensitivity for those on the receiving end of every message. I always have and always will do this work with people at the heart of everything I do, because I truly care about the human beings on every side of the communication.
My approach has always been grounded in my values. You can read more about them in 5 values at the heart of everything I do
Jumping into my own comms business
In 2017, I decided to go solo to work on my own terms, at first focusing on large-scale change programmes in the media industry, then expanding into consultancy, developing comms strategies, carrying out audits, and mentoring leaders to help them improve their communication and connection.
In early 2020, just before the world turned upside down, I began exploring the world of small and online creative businesses. I do not say lightly that since then it’s been a real journey to figure out how my experience, skills and knowledge from the “big business” world could be adapted to help creative individuals, solo entrepreneurs, freelancers, and small businesses. It is, however, a journey I continue to love as I continue to evolve and adapt to our ever-changing world.
The Comms Legend of today
Today, my work weaves together strategy, mentoring, training, and hands-on delivery. I help creative people and organisations in the arts, culture, entertainment, and media to get clear on their messaging, understand their people, and show up with confidence. Whether it’s clarifying values and vision, shaping a transformation story, or building a comms approach that feels human and true, I’m here for it.
I’ve had the privilege of working with big names like ITV, Netflix, and ITN; brilliant Bristol-based creatives and organisations like Upfest, Insane Root, Paul Monsters, Spark Films and Circus Antics Entertainment; and a whole host of awesome small online business folk, including copywriters, mentors, makers, artists and all sorts of creative folk in between.
And the best part? I can say, with my whole body: What joy it is that I get to call this my job.
Here’s how I can help you if you’re a creative individual, solo entrepreneur, freelancer, or small business owner.
I also support leaders, managers, comms pros, and project teams in creative organisations. Find out more here.
Know you want to chat? Book in for a free call here.
And if you’d like to know more about what it’s actually like to work with me, head over to What you really get when you work with this Comms Legend.
