If you’re of a certain vintage you’ll remember the 1990s comedy sketch show, The Fast Show. There was a Paul Whitehouse character in it called Archie the pub bore, who claimed to have done every job under the sun, when striking up unreciprocated conversations with confused pub customers. Long distance lorry driver, vicar, boxer, pianist, ballet dancer – he’d done them all. Archie claimed each of these jobs to be the “hardest game in the world, that” “I done it myself – 30 years man and boy”. Each week his claims got more and more unbelievable. But I don’t think he ever claimed to be a comms person.

by Darren Caveney

Have you ever been in that position where someone senior says the comms team needs reviewing? I have, and it can be a worrying time. But actually it can be a very positive opportunity. And it can bring real attention and benefits to the team if done well.

by Darren Caveney

Anyone who queued for the toilets during the breaks at last month’s UnAwards Masterclass in Birmingham can testify to one thing: there are far more women than men in communications. Yet we don’t see the same representation at senior levels. There are lots of factors that play into that, but one that doesn’t get as much attention as it should is menopause.

by Eva Duffy

Elections are just round the corner, I’ve covered a few in my time - council, generals, Europeans, and PCC. The best ones for you, the comms team, and the elections team are the ones where you put some planning in first. Below are some tips for working an election – before, during and after.

by Louisa Dean

Will Mapplebeck, public affairs lead at Core Cities UK, talks about why it was time for his organisation to make a stand against racism.

by Will Mapplebeck

In April 2025, Companies House launched a communications campaign to support the rollout of identity verification under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA). We started with a voluntary period where company officers were able to verify ahead of the mandatory date in November. By the time the voluntary period closed, more than 1.6 million people had verified their identity – 170% above our target of 600,000.

by Anna Ellis and Esme Turner

As the appetite for breaking news rages, as AI changes how we communicate and what channels we use, and in a world of instability and chaos, resonating with your audiences has never been more important.

I have been reflecting on when I delivered media training in Europe, in a different language via an interpreter, some things stuck with me.

by Dee Cowburn

It’s back - the best free learning event in the comms calendar - the UnAwards Winners Masterclass.

by Darren Caveney

More big news for you - a special UnAwards Winners Masterclass webinar has been organised for 28 April.

by Darren Caveney

The jobs market for communication professionals is tricky at the moment. If you talk to people who are recruiting, they will easily get over 100 applications for a mid-level role. If you’re in the public sector in the UK, a combination of NHS, police and local government reorganisations means job uncertainty and a possible increase in people looking for new roles.

by Liz Halliday

Ethics in comms is nothing new, and most people understand why it matters. Ethics shapes how we communicate, who we work with, and how we are perceived. But trust is the part that’s changed.

by Helena Hornby

Freelance comms pro and former Head of Comms, Anna Caig’s, debut novel, The Wise Witch of Orkney, will be published on 26 February. She offers practical advice to anyone wanting to pursue big life goals alongside a comms career.

by Anna Caig

It’s the social media story of the week, and exhibit A in standing up online for what we believe it in.

by Ben Raza

It’s back - the best free learning event in the comms calendar - the UnAwards Winners Masterclass.

Is 2026 the year we should focus even more on communities?

by Paul Butler