Skip to content
Contact us
pillar-consultancy-Bki2OIkc (1)
STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANCY

Communication advice for important moments.

Whether you are preparing for a major announcement, launching a new initiative, navigating organisational change or facing increased scrutiny, we help organisations make better communication decisions while building the capability and confidence to handle future opportunities and challenges successfully.

Book a conversation Discuss your challenge
cons_hero4
STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION CONSULTANCY

Communication advice for important moments

Whether you are preparing for a major announcement, launching a new initiative, navigating organisational change or facing increased scrutiny, we help organisations make better communication decisions while building the capability and confidence to handle future opportunities and challenges successfully.

Book a conversation Explore how we help

HOW WE HELP

Five ways we work with you.

Every organisation faces different risks, audiences, stakeholders and pressures. Our role is to help you understand the challenge, identify opportunities and strengthen your approach before decisions become public.

01

Communications Strategy Reviews & Creation

Independent challenge, advice and practical recommendations for important communication decisions.

Whether you are planning a significant announcement, reviewing a communications strategy or assessing stakeholder expectations, we help strengthen your approach before plans are put into action.

Discuss a strategy review ↗
02

Launches, Programmes & Major Announcements

Support for organisations introducing new initiatives, products, services, strategies and organisational change programmes.

We help clients strengthen messaging, understand stakeholder reaction and communicate with clarity and confidence.

Discuss a strategy review ↗
03

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication Impact

Helping organisations understand how messages are likely to be received, identify opportunities to build trust and engagement, and ensure important communications achieve the outcomes they are intended to deliver.

Discuss a strategy review ↗
04

Crisis Preparedness & Resilience

Support designed to strengthen communication readiness before a crisis occurs.

From communication reviews and preparedness assessments through to crisis exercises and simulations, we help organisations understand whether their plans will perform under pressure.

Explore crisis support ↗
05

Leadership Communication

Helping leaders communicate effectively during change, uncertainty, challenge and scrutiny.

Support may include message development, communication planning, stakeholder engagement and preparing for difficult conversations.

Explore leadership coaching ↗

HOW WE WORK

Working alongside your team, not replacing it.

Many of our clients already work with communications agencies, PR advisers or in-house communications teams.

Our role is not to compete with them.

We work alongside existing teams, providing independent challenge, specialist expertise and practical communication insight.

Some organisations engage us for a specific project, while others choose ongoing access to our advisers for support, challenge and guidance throughout the year.

Crucially, we focus on building capability and confidence within your organisation so that your people are better equipped to handle future opportunities and challenges.

BEFORE YOU DECIDE

Confidence before important announcements.

Before a major announcement, launch, organisational change programme or public campaign, organisations often want confidence that their approach is right.

You may be thinking:

  • We're about to announce something significant.
  • We'd like an independent perspective.
  • We're concerned about how stakeholders may react.
  • We need someone to challenge our thinking.

Need ongoing support?

Communication challenges don't always arrive at convenient times.

Alongside project-based consultancy, we can provide ongoing access to experienced advisers who can offer practical guidance, challenge thinking and help you navigate important communication decisions with confidence.

Whether it's a quick phone call, a Teams discussion or support with a developing issue, we're there when you need us.

OUR PEOPLE

Meet some of the people
you could work with.

One of the advantages of working with Media First is access to consultants who have spent their careers helping organisations communicate in complex and challenging situations. Rather than being passed to a generic account team, clients work with experienced specialists whose expertise matches the challenge.

Sean Ryan Communication Consultant

Sean Ryan

Strategic Communication, Leadership & Reputation

Sean is a senior communications consultant who helps organisations build trust, strengthen reputation and communicate effectively in complex and fast-moving environments. He advises senior leaders on communication strategy, stakeholder engagement, organisational change and executive communication, helping organisations navigate challenges while maintaining confidence among key audiences.

With more than 30 years' experience across journalism, communications and international organisations, Sean has a deep understanding of how leaders can influence perceptions, shape organisational narratives and engage stakeholders. A former senior editor at The Sunday Times and communications leader at Save the Children, he combines strategic perspective with practical advice that leaders can apply immediately.

Sean supports organisations across the public, private and charitable sectors on reputation management, leadership communication, organisational positioning and change programmes. He is particularly skilled at helping leaders communicate with clarity, credibility and authority when the stakes are highest.

Tom Idle

Tom Idle

Strategic Storyteller, Sustainability & Content Strategy

Tom is a senior communications consultant, journalist and content strategist who helps organisations communicate complex ideas with clarity, credibility and impact. Drawing on more than 20 years' experience across journalism, editorial leadership and corporate communications, he specialises in strategic storytelling, thought leadership and audience engagement.

Previously, Tom held senior editorial roles at Local Government News, Sustainable Business and 2degrees, where he led content and engagement strategies focused on sustainability and responsible business.

He has advised organisations including Nestlé, Virgin, AkzoNobel, L'Oréal, Unilever and Veolia on messaging, content strategy and stakeholder communications, helping them engage audiences around complex and evolving issues.

Combining journalistic rigour with strategic insight, Tom helps organisations develop compelling narratives, build thought leadership programmes and communicate with authenticity in areas where trust, reputation and clarity matter most.

Keme - strategic consultant

Keme Nzerem

Strategic Storytelling, Stakeholder Engagement & Organisational Development

Keme helps organisations define their purpose, shape compelling narratives and engage stakeholders around complex challenges. He works with leaders, charities, start-ups and established organisations to clarify strategy, align audiences and develop communication approaches that support long-term organisational goals.
Alongside his role as a presenter and correspondent for Channel 4 News, Keme advises organisations on stakeholder engagement, organisational positioning, governance, change and strategic storytelling. He has also worked extensively with senior leadership teams, boards, staff representatives and trade unions on organisational strategy and governance issues. He has helped establish and lead international charitable initiatives, bringing together commercial partners, community organisations and senior decision-makers to create lasting impact.
With more than two decades of experience in journalism, broadcasting and consultancy, Keme combines strategic insight with a deep understanding of how organisations can build trust, influence audiences and communicate with authenticity when it matters most.

Elisa Colton Communication Consultant

Elisa Colton

Stakeholder Engagement, Strategic Communications & Change

Elisa helps organisations navigate complex communication challenges, engage stakeholders and build trust during periods of change, transformation and uncertainty. With almost 20 years' experience across journalism and communications, including senior roles with the BBC and Al Jazeera, she brings deep expertise in audience insight, strategic messaging and stakeholder engagement.

She advises organisations on communication strategy, organisational change, reputation and stakeholder relationships, helping leaders develop clear narratives that create understanding, build confidence and support informed decision-making. Her experience spans internal and external communications, leadership communication and change programmes, helping organisations communicate with clarity, credibility and purpose when it matters most.

Dafydd Jones

Dafydd Jones

Strategic Communications, Reputation & Public Affairs

Dafydd is a senior communications adviser who helps organisations navigate complex stakeholder environments, protect reputation and communicate confidently during periods of change, scrutiny and uncertainty.

He has advised at the highest levels of government, providing strategic counsel to Prime Ministers, Cabinet Ministers and senior officials, and has led communications functions across the public, private and charitable sectors.

Combining expertise in public affairs, reputation management and strategic communication, Dafydd helps organisations engage stakeholders, manage issues, build trust and respond effectively when the stakes are high. His experience spans organisational change, public policy, media relations, crisis communications and executive counsel.

 

OUR APPROACH

A practical approach to consultancy.

Many communications consultancies focus on producing reports.

Our focus is helping organisations improve communication performance.

We bring together experience from journalism, crisis communication, leadership communication and training. That means we understand how scrutiny develops, how stakeholder expectations evolve and how quickly trust can be won or lost.

Our recommendations are designed to be practical, implementable and grounded in real-world communication challenges. No generic frameworks. No unnecessary complexity. Just advice that helps organisations communicate more effectively.

NEED AN INDEPENDENT PERSPECTIVE?

Tell us about your
challenge. We'll help.

Whether you are planning an announcement, reviewing communication plans,
building leadership capability or preparing for a potential issue, we can help
you identify risks, strengthen your approach and communicate with greater
confidence.

FAQS

Frequently asked questions.

How do you provide constructive challenge to a senior leadership team?

Effective challenge must be independent, evidence-led and practical. We ask the questions that internal teams may find difficult to raise, examine the assumptions behind the proposed approach and consider how different stakeholders are likely to respond.

Our purpose is not to undermine a decision or add unnecessary complexity. It is to help leaders make that decision with a clearer understanding of the communication opportunities, risks and consequences.

We already have an experienced communications team. What would you add?

Our clients often have highly capable in-house communications teams and established agency partners. We work alongside them, not in place of them.

We bring an independent perspective, specialist experience and the freedom to challenge established thinking. This can be particularly valuable when a team is close to an issue, under significant delivery pressure or seeking greater confidence before recommending an approach to senior leaders or the board.

How do you support organisations through complex change?

Successful change communication requires more than explaining what is happening. Leaders must communicate why the change is necessary, what it means for different groups and how concerns will be heard and addressed.

We help organisations develop a clear narrative, understand stakeholder perspectives, equip leaders to communicate consistently and prepare for difficult questions. Our focus is on building understanding, trust and confidence throughout the change.

Can you advise us before a decision has been finalised?

Yes. This is often the point at which external advice can add the greatest value.

Early involvement allows communication considerations and stakeholder perspectives to inform the decision itself, rather than being addressed after the organisation has committed to a course of action. It can also reveal where changes to timing, sequencing, language or engagement could materially improve the outcome.

Do you provide advice during a fast-moving or sensitive issue?

Yes. We can provide experienced, independent counsel when an issue is developing and leaders need to make communication decisions quickly.

Depending on the situation, this may include helping to assess stakeholder impact, clarify the organisation’s position, develop key messages, prepare leaders for scrutiny and consider how the issue may evolve. Our approach remains practical and proportionate to the circumstances.

Can you provide ongoing access to senior communication advisers?

Yes. Some clients engage us for a defined announcement, programme or strategic review. Others value ongoing access to experienced advisers who can provide challenge, perspective and practical guidance as new issues and opportunities emerge.

This gives senior leaders and communications teams a trusted external sounding board without creating an unnecessary layer between the organisation and its existing advisers.