CENS Seminar on Defending the Indefensible – Communicating Contentious Policies in Difficult Circumstances by Emily Hands, CENS Distinguished Visiting Fellow

About the speaker:

Emily Hands is currently the Head of National Security Communications in the U.K. Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). She is tasked with developing and directing the implementation of communications strategy to support the Prime Minister’s National Security Council (NSC) as well as the National Security Advisors. Her responsibilities include developing and directing Government and stakeholder-wide communications strategies on a domestic and international level to support National Security policy – examples include Afghanistan, Iran, Eurozone, Syria, cyber security and civil contingencies. She also drives the implementation of communication, including press and digital media, by directing and coordinating the NSC communications team, departments across Whitehall, and external organisations. Among her other roles, Hands advises No. 10 Downing Street, the National Security advisor and his staff on day to day communication issues and media handling. She also acts as a senior representative of No. 10 communications in international fora. She is also a member of the PMO and Cabinet Office Communications Senior Management Team which leads on professional development and reform.

Ms. Hands has worked over the last 12 years for three Prime Ministers, delivering press and broadcast relations, communications campaigns and strategy, digital media, stakeholder engagement, internal communications and crisis management around the highest profile and most sensitive issues. In her previous capacities, she has been the Head of Afghanistan and Pakistan Communications, Head of News and Deputy Spokesman, Chief Press Officer and Deputy Spokesman, and Senior Information and Research Officer at No. 10 Downing Street.

Synopsis:

This defines day to day business of Central Government communications. Consider whether there is such a thing as an ‘uncontentious policy’. How does 10 years at the centre affect perspective? And as always we continue to debate good communications vs good policy – which triumphs? How a crisis impacts on communications parameters. This session will explore learning points around this difficult balancing act that Government communicators perform every day.

Contacts

For invitation enquiries please contact:-

Ms Yvonne Lee
Senior Administrative Executive
Tel: (65) 6790-6489
Fax: (65) 6792-8701
E-mail: [email protected]