PR in the Real World

This week's guest, Neil Greaves currently leads the communications strategy for Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB, managing a substantial £5 billion healthcare budget for 1.8 million residents. Neil highlighted the pivotal role of communications in understanding community needs and influencing NHS decision-making, stressing the importance of engaging with the right audience. He discussed the ongoing changes within the NHS, advocating for proactive communication to enhance public trust and the necessity for NHS communicators to be integral to organisational strategy rather than being called upon last minute when a crisis occurs . Throughout the conversation, Neil underscored the significance of visibility in leadership and the value of public participation in local NHS forums, all while navigating the complexities of effective healthcare communication.

Advita Patel is a big hitter in the comms world. As the founder of CommsRebel, CIPR president, a fighter for inclusivity and a northerner boot – she really is the ideal podcast guest. From a working class BAME background in Bolton to leading national conversations in comms, Advita’s story is one of resilience and finding your voice. Her insights into how to build inclusivity through effective comms and the importance of confidence in PR are worth listening to. Tune in, this one’s a home run!

In this episode, we explore how to use podcasts as a powerful PR and marketing tool with Stewart Townsend, founder of Podcast Hawk — a platform that helps you find the right shows to pitch. Learn how to pitch yourself as a guest, build brand authority, and leverage podcasting for media exposure, audience growth, and content strategy.

Chris Maguire is a towering figure in the North-West media world. He has his finger on the pulse with everything from journalism and media relations to new tech in the business world. Anyone who claims to be curious about trends seriously needs to tune into this episode. 

Katharine Topham’s unconventional career has made her a guru in understanding end users. This episode delves into the art of connecting meaningfully with end users and driving impact—even when you have no direct levers to pull. If you work in PR and comms and want to truly nail your end user strategy, this one’s a must-listen. Here are some key lessons from the latest PR in the Real World. 

Paul is a seasoned comms professional — though he didn’t start out in comms. He joined the air sector of BAE Systems in Lancashire — then British Aerospace in the 1990s. It was quickly apparent he had a gift for comms, and he was given a role in the function. Today he is Head of Employee Communications. Over the years Paul has developed a deep understanding of the company’s unique culture. He’s also got a clear-eyed view of what works in employee comms. During his appearance on PR in the Real World, Paul offered clear insights on balancing corporate and personal messaging, the blurred lines between internal and external comms, and using internal campaigns to drive results. are gold for anyone in PR and comms. Listen Now: