– Future Comms Skills –

The communication profession is an ever-evolving beast and much like everything else, the pace of that change is accelerating, fast. In this workshop we’ll help you understand the transformation we’re all experiencing, and together we’ll look to the future and work out how best we can prepare ourselves

This fascinating panel discussion will challenge and inform you in equal measure.

Panel: Chaired by Nathaniel Hobby, Senior Communications Manager at Bournemouth University.

Matt Desmier, Business Engagement and Knowledge Exchange Manager at Bournemouth University

This will be Matt’s fourth appearance at Comms Unplugged. We’re starting to think he likes it here…

Matt has designed and delivered workshops for The British Council, The Design Council and Bournemouth Borough Council, mostly trying to understand what makes people tick and how to do things better. He’s now a Business Engagement Manager at Bournemouth University and whilst there aren’t any council’s in sight, he’s still trying to do things differently.

Alex Jacobs, Head of Careers and Employability at Bournemouth University

Alex leads the Careers and Employability Team at BU, supporting students as they take their first steps into work. A key part of this role is understanding trends and transferable skills that graduates need to succeed across all industries.

Karen Baker – Functional Excellence Lead, Corporate Relations, Shell plc

Several times an Unplugger, Karen studied public relations and is part of the Bournemouth University alumni. Initially she worked in media relations and corporate affairs roles for FTSE 250 companies before joining Shell in 2002. Karen is a specialist in internal communication of managing changes including merger, bankruptcy, downsizing, work migration, culture change and upskilling. She is a Chartered Public Relations Practitioner (CIPR).

Karen’s current role is to drive Shell’s global Corporate Relations improvement agenda. This includes horizon scanning to identify best practices worth adopting, capability building and future skills. Karen is a self-confessed comms geek, always on the lookout for emerging trends and continuous professional development opportunities to increase performance and value delivery.