– About the Organisers –
They said it couldn’t be done, but done it we have. It’s a very special thing when a small group of passionate people comes together to create something unique. In fact – the renegade band of fearless comms folk behind this epic event were crowned Best Small Comms Team in the comms2point0 Unawards 2018. Read the submission that won us the award here. Find out about us below and make sure you say hi on Twitter.
Georgia Turner
In 2022, I took the plunge away from full-time employment to set up in consultancy and undertake interim work, as Georgia Turner Communications. After two decades leading communications, marketing, engagement, and consultation & research teams within local government I decided it was time for a change – and it was now or never!
Before that, I was Director of Communications and Marketing, for England’s newest urban local authority, BCP Council, serving the 400,000 residents of the city-region of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole on the glorious south coast. In that role, I created a new directorate, produced and implemented the council’s first communications strategy and plan, and authored an ambitious place narrative for the area.
I studied a PR degree in my hometown of Bournemouth, which included a placement at the council. I loved it so much I went back after the obligatory post-graduation travelling and haven’t left since! Why would I – I get to live by the sea, and within 30 minutes of the glorious New Forest in the east and stunning Purbecks and Jurassic Coast to the west.
Out of work passions – travel, conservation, nature, food, wine, and my cat Marble.
Sally Northeast
Associate Director of Communications and Public Engagement at Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust.
After a degree in languages I trained to be a journo at the local paper in my home town. A few years later I hopped the fence into local gov comms, with a stint as a freelance and finally a move to the NHS.
Love the variety and the challenges of public sector comms and engagement, and the great people you get to work with. Value great writing, good humour, funky ideas and positive relationships.
Outside work it’s two grown-up girls, one borrowed doggie and plans to have my own again soon, baking, drawing and painting, singing, movies, books, and la belle France.
Darren Caveney
My son claims I “work on The Twitter”. But really, I am a communications consultant, creator of comms2point0, and owner of Creative Communicators Ltd.
My 23-year career in communications, marketing and PR spans 10 years as Head of Communications within local government, a director level role in the NHS and five years in private sector marketing, winning some awards with my teams along the way and I have worked with over 100 communications teams in my consultancy role.
I have hosted and spoken at more than 150 events across the UK, Europe and the Middle East, on integrating social media for business, building communications and engagement strategies, and communicating in a digital world.
And amongst many, many projects I am most proud to deliver the unique UnAwards, now in their sixth year.
I love the communications community and my mission is to fly a flag for it wherever possible.
I’m also passionate about all things Birmingham, including our very average football team, and in between trying to be a decent dad I love music, film & TV, cooking, trips to the seaside and the occasional visit to the gym.
Say hello to me at @darrencaveney and @comms2point0
Joanne Ford (#teamScotland)
I’m a Communications Consultant who worked in-house in public sector communications for 16 years before going freelance in 2023. I’ve managed teams, major comms projects and award-winning campaigns and now use my experience to support all kinds of organisations to tell their stories with impact. I love the outdoors, especially trail running and wild swimming, and particularly enjoy when I get to combine these interests with my work on campaigns around things like water safety, sustainable travel, climate and nature.
An ‘original unplugger’, I attended the first ever Comms Unplugged back in 2017 and made the journey back to Dorset four times in total. The impact of this event and being part of the Comms Unplugged community has been hugely positive for me both personally and professionally.
I know lots of communications professionals in Scotland who would have loved to come to Comms Unplugged over the years but weren’t able to due to the distance and time away, so I am beyond proud to be part of the team bringing Comms Unplugged to Scotland for the first time. I’m also excited for people from other parts of the UK to come and see the beautiful surroundings of the West of Scotland, where I am based. See you there!
Rosaleen Kelly (#teamScotland)
I’m a strategic internal, change and leadership comms specialist, with a passion for delivering great colleague engagement events and integrated experiences. I’ve advised exec leadership teams, led small, award-winning teams and projects across private, public and third sectors and I’ve learned from some fantastic colleagues and leaders over the past 20 years. I know what it’s like to be part of a small comms team delivering so much – even in ‘normal’ times. So I’ve always loved taking the rare opportunity to step out of the day job to share and connect with other comms pros.
That’s why I’m so proud to be part of the team bringing Comms Unplugged to Scotland. It really isn’t like any other learning event. Our dual focus on learning and wellbeing in an unplugged environment sets us apart.
I’d been intrigued by the idea since the first event, but always had a work clash, so when I got the chance to go in 2019 I grabbed it. And even though I only made it to one event, the benefits and community have lasted long past that.
I can’t wait to bring the CU ethos to new Unpluggers and welcome some of our committed Unplugging community to a beautiful new location: I hope we’ll CU in the field!
Joe Crossland (#teamScotland)
I have a background in scientific publishing, medical magazines and public health research communications, and currently use my comms skills to support the Executive Team in my role at Public Health Scotland.
I originally heard about Comms Unplugged via social media and jumped at the chance to attend a taster session at Loch Lomond in Spring 2019. An afternoon spent in the company of like-minded comms folk was the key to booking my place at Comms Unplugged in September 2019, and every subsequent Comms Unplugged!
Making the trip to Dorset from Scotland isn’t for everyone, so I’m delighted that the full Comms Unplugged experience will be closer to home for comms professionals in Scotland this year!
You can read Joe’s reflections on the 2019 Scottish taster on the Comms Unplugged website.
Martin Grey (#teamScotland)
Martin joined #TeamScotland in 2025 with a mission: better support the wellbeing and positive mental health of comms folk in Scotland through Comms Unplugged – the tech-free retreat and community that brings comms people together in nature to recharge, learn and connect.
Head of Strategic Comms at Network Rail in Scotland, Martin is a senior comms and marketing leader with 25 years of experience helping organisations build trust.
He’s passionate about environment, infrastructure, community, connection and mental health. Outside of work, Martin is a Director of The Well Society, the majority shareholder of the UK’s first top-flight, fan-owned football club – Motherwell FC. Martin leads on communication and fan engagement, in addition to a range of community-focused and charitable initiatives.
A dad of two kids, Martin finds balance in the stands at Fir Park stadium, walking in nature, travel or catching up over a beer with good friends.
