Kirsty is an established strategic communications professional who is passionate about shaping positive change and building the right conversations. She has over 17 years’ experience in communications: from working in agencies with some of the world’s biggest brands, to being part of a not-for-profit driving the voice on how to tackle child sexual abuse.
Kirsty spent 11 years in communications consultancies, creating engaging communications campaigns to meet business needs and objectives, with clear, demonstrable impact. Campaigns ran far beyond press coverage, with big experiential activations, partnerships, content, talent and digital executions. These included a flashmob at 45,000ft in the air to launch a new flightpath for Virgin Atlantic, a shoppable remake of the ‘Summertime’ music video - complete with a cameo from DJ Jazzy Jeff - for Very.co.uk, and global toolkits for the likes of Coca-Cola, Sony Mobile and Carlsberg.
Following her time in consumer communications consultancies, Kirsty made a very intentional career pivot to build her skillset and work in causes she cared about. Returning to university, she spent a year studying an MSc in Medicine, Health and Public Policy, which she completed with a distinction and was awarded the best dissertation on the course for her research into the use of Fertility Awareness Based Applications as contraceptives.
Most recently, Kirsty worked as Communications and External Affairs Manager at the Centre of expertise on child sexual abuse (CSA Centre). In this role, she developed the brand and positioning of the organisation – working on its messaging and voice, identity, external communications, media coverage, courses and keynotes, imagery, as well as completely overhauling their website. During this time, she also produced an eLearning course on intra-familial child sexual abuse which over 7,000 professionals (and counting) across policing, social work, education and healthcare have completed. She also contributed to many consultations, including those on RSHE and Mandatory Reporting, and was a vocal member of the IICSA Changemakers and Children’s Coalition where charities came together to inform the Victim’s and Prisoner’s Bill.
From her BA in Sociology, longstanding career in communications, to her Policy MSc, Kirsty is inherently interested in people, what influences and drives us, and the influence of language and narratives in shaping and changing these perspectives.
Outside of work, Kirsty takes in the best of what London can offer and likes nothing more than a cultural exploit, be that: gigs and festivals, theatre and comedy shows, the latest exhibition, talks, debates, podcasts, films, non-fiction books and a good Sunday paper.