NORTHERN COMMS COLLECTIVE CONFERENCE 2026
Opening up the NCC Selection Box
Over the past 12 months, the Northern Comms Collective has brought together hundreds of communicators from across the North and beyond.
And if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that while we all do broadly the same job, no two communicators are quite the same.
Some of us love strategy. Others thrive on creativity. Some enjoy leadership conversations, while others are fascinated by AI, culture, engagement or measurement.
Different perspectives, experiences and challenges are what make our profession interesting. And then there’s the work that leaves us all wondering: “How exactly did this end up with the comms team?”
That’s why this year’s conference is our NCC Selection Box. A mix of practical ideas, real-world experiences and different perspectives from communicators doing the job for real. Some sessions will be right up your street. Others might take you somewhere you weren’t expecting.
You might even find a new favourite.
Lyndsay Michaels-Gray
Senior IC Manager at Santander
Lyndsay has over 25 years internal communications experience working across brands like Barclays, EE, Direct Line Group, Bupa and easyJet. Early this year Santander acquired TSB and Lyndsay is leading internal comms for the integration of the two organisations. With a new CEO at Santander, two big brands coming together and ever closer links to the global organisation the business is going through a huge amount of change. Clear and impactful communication are more critical that ever to enable employees to understand the direction of travel and the role they play in Santander’s next chapter.
“Good internal communications bring to life the organisation’s journey for employees and helps them understand where they fit – the role they play in its success.”
David Manning
Senior Manager – Culture, Change and Communication at Currys plc
David is an award-winning communications leader, IoIC Fellow and passionate advocate for creating workplaces where people feel informed, connected and valued. Over the past two decades, he has helped shape culture, change and transformation programmes at organisations including Currys, the BBC, Travis Perkins and Associated British Foods. His work has been recognised by both the IoIC and CIPR for its creativity, impact and employee focus. David is also known for his popular Monday Motivation posts on LinkedIn, where he shares positive reflections and practical inspiration for internal communication professionals.
“IC matters to me because it’s the difference between people being informed and people being included and part of the story. Only one of those changes behaviour.”
Tom Goodhand
Internal Communications Lead at Bettys & Taylors of Harrogate
Tom has worked in a variety of internal comms roles at family business Bettys & Taylors Group – the home of Bettys Café Tea Rooms, Taylors Coffee and Yorkshire Tea – for 14 years. In that time he’s gone from copywriting to building and establishing an internal communications team, launching and embedding new channels and supporting major change initiatives. He is also an amateur stand-up comedian, where his achievements include earning £10 and making a parrot laugh.
“One of the most important roles in internal comms is earning and keeping attention. Our job is to think about how we ensure our comms stay both interesting and relevant.”
Rachael Harper, Sara Fisher & Rachel Spurs
Nestlé UK & Ireland
Rachael Harper is a Senior Internal Communications Manager at Nestlé UK & Ireland. Originally starting her career in HR, working at the University of Sheffield and Balfour Beatty, she found her passion in communications while working on a major transformation project for Nestlé and hasn’t looked back since! Rachael currently supports the Nestlé Confectionery business and the IT & Digital function with leadership communications, employee engagement, change communications and events.
Rachael believes the most important skills for an internal communicator are curiosity, emotional intelligence and the courage to challenge constructively. When she’s not at work, you’ll likely find her helping out on her partner’s farm or chasing her over-excitable cocker spaniel, Ralph, across the Yorkshire countryside.
“Great communication starts with curiosity, empathy and the courage to challenge constructively.”
Sara Fisher is a Senior Communications Business Partner at Nestlé, bringing more than 30 years of experience across PR, internal communications, and change management. She works with teams across Nestlé’s UK operations, supporting factories and supply chain colleagues through business transformation, employee engagement, and culture-shaping communications.
A passionate advocate for frontline communications, Sara has spent much of her career in manufacturing environments, including time at McCain Foods before making the move from chips to chocolate. She thrives on helping people understand and embrace change, creating authentic communications that connect colleagues to the bigger picture and give them a voice in the journey. Alongside her internal communications role, Sara also supports community engagement activities, helping to build positive relationships between Nestlé’s factories and the local communities they call home.
Known for her practical, people-focused approach, Sara believes great communication is less about broadcasting messages and more about building understanding, trust, and connection.
When she’s not travelling to a KitKat or Gold Blend Factory, Sara is out cheering on her daughter who takes part in Shetland Pony Grand National racing all over the country.
“Communication has the power to connect people. Real impact comes from building understanding, earning trust, and creating meaningful connections.”
Rachel Spurs discovered her passion for internal communications more than 25 years ago and hasn’t looked back since. Much of her career was spent in the mutual financial services sector, helping colleagues connect with customers, strategy and organisational purpose through engaging and creative communications. She’s always happy to experiment with new channels and approaches to help solve business problems through communication.
Now a Senior Internal Communications Manager at Nestlé, Rachel partners with the HR function to bring people initiatives to life and help leaders and line managers communicate in ways that build engagement, connection and understanding. Rachel believes the best communicators are curious, imaginative and passionate about improving people’s experience at work. Outside of work, she’s usually planning her next holiday or daydreaming about enjoying a coffee in a European city square.
“Internal communications uses curiosity and insight to turn business priorities into meaningful colleague conversations that drive understanding, connection, and empower people to take action.”
Iain Hodgson
Head of Internal Communications at Irwin Mitchell
Iain is Head of Internal Communications at full-service national law firm Irwin Mitchell, where he’s been for the last 8 years. Starting his career in journalism, he worked as a casual presenter and producer in BBC Local Radio, whilst also working in insurance. He made the shift to operational communications whilst working at Direct Line and has developed his passion and curiosity for engaging people in a work setting ever since.
In a career that’s taken him from Government to consultancy, financial services, and training providers – he’s honed his skills in balancing the needs of colleagues, executives and subject matter experts. Recognised by the IOIC, CIPR and Internal Comms and Engagement awards for measurement, crisis management, and ongoing commitment to the profession, he’s passionate about the real value internal communications adds to organisations. Outside of work, he’s equally obsessed with finding obscure edits of records, walking with his dog and wife in the Peak District, and trying to perfect his homemade curry recipe.
“It’s not what we do, it’s what happens as a result that matters. Great communication moves people. It should help them understand more, care more and do something differently. Credible insight and measurement tell us whether we’ve achieved that.”
Luke Knight
Head of Internal Communications at London North Eastern Railway
Luke started his career in external communications before moving into internal communications by accident and loving it immediately. He’s worked in internal comms for The Met Police, Transport for London, Aviva PLC, and currently London and North Eastern Railway (LNER).
“I love working in internal communications. Partly because I’m nosey and like to know stuff first, partly as I like understanding how the business really operates, but mostly because I know how much value we add every day.”
Anna Allatt & Cathy Kounous
Oxfam
Anna Allatt is Head of Internal Communications at Oxfam and has spent more than two decades helping organisations tell stories that engage, inspire and drive change. Starting her career in journalism, Anna spent almost 20 years at the BBC before moving into corporate communications roles at Capital One and U.S. Bank.
She has led communications through major transformations, leadership changes and cultural initiatives, always with a focus on inclusion, trust and employee experience. Anna believes that effective internal communication is about more than sharing information. It’s about creating the conditions for people to feel heard, valued and connected to a common goal.
When she’s not working, Anna enjoys travelling, live music (often a combination of the two) and trying to stay relevant to her 17-year-old twins.
“People rarely remember every message. They remember how communication made them feel and whether it helped them belong.”
Cathy Kounous is Head of Learning, Talent & Engagement at Oxfam GB, where she leads organisational change initiatives focused on culture, employee engagement, talent and leadership development.
Having started her career in the STEM sector (following a brief spell as a secondary school maths teacher), Cathy brings a blend of business change, organisational development and people-strategy expertise.
She is passionate about helping organisations build the skills, leadership and culture needed for long-term success and enjoys creating opportunities for people and teams to learn, grow and thrive together.
Cathy believes curiosity, empathy, adaptability and learning agility are essential qualities for today’s leaders. Outside work, she is tackling the seemingly endless renovation of her new home, a project that has taught her plenty about resilience and patience!
“Building future-ready organisations starts with purpose, engaged hearts, curious minds and the learning that helps us shape new stories together.”
Surely it can’t get any better than that?
Oh yes it can! As well as all of our fantastic speakers, there’ll also be workshops from Definition on AI for IC, The Team on behavioural psychology and Eyzon, on comms careers in our sector.
Because the best conferences aren’t about hearing the same messages. They’re about discovering new ideas, sharing experiences and taking away the insights that matter most to you. Whether you’re building culture, leading change, exploring AI, measuring impact or simply looking for fresh inspiration, there’s something inside this year’s NCC Selection Box for everyone.
What a cracking line up* we have in store for you!
| Time | Session |
| 9.00–9.30 | Registration, arrival drinks |
| 9.30–9.45 | Welcome and conference opening |
| 9.45–10.15 | Keynote with Q&A |
| 10.15–10.45 | Keynote with Q&A |
| 10.45–11.15 | Keynote with Q&A |
| 11.15–11.30 | Break |
| 11.30–12.30 | Workshop sessions 1 & 2 |
| 12.30–1.30 | Lunch |
| 1.30–2.00 | Keynote with Q&A |
| 2.00–2.30 | Keynote with Q&A |
| 2.30–3.00 | Keynote with Q&A |
| 3.00–3.15 | Break |
| 3.15–4.15 | Workshop sessions 3 & 4 |
| 4.15–4.45 | Keynote with Q&A |
| 4.45–5pm | Announcements and closing remarks |
| 5pm onwards | “After Works” – join us for a post-conference drink or three! |
*Running orders may change.