Strategy, Story & Stakeholders

Comms Search & Selection
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From the team at Comms Search & Selection, welcome to Strategy, Story & Stakeholders. It's the podcast for senior leaders in communications, corporate affairs and also investor relations. We're exploring how best to support CEOs and boards to build credibility and how to engage with stakeholders. So that's everyone, from employees and customers to investors and governments. At a time when trust in leaders is low, the power of clear storytelling has never been more important. Hosted by Max Forsyth, Managing Director and Founder of Comms Search and Selection. Max has a decade of experience recruiting comms and IR leaders, and in each episode, he will interview a leading figure from the communications and investor relations industry on how they have successfully communicated strategy, told stories and engaged stakeholders. Please take a moment to rate, review and subscribe to Strategy, Story and Stakeholders on Apple, Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts. It really helps others discover the show. Join the Comms Search & Selection Community. Early Access to Episodes, Plus Free Live Forums and Events: https://community.commssearch.com/sign-up-pricing About Comms Search & Selection: We are a specialist executive search and recruitment partner for Communications and Investor Relations teams. We build high-performing teams through Retained Executive Search, Exclusive Permanent Placements, and Contract & Interim solutions for industry leading companies across the UK, USA and worldwide. Website: commssearch.com Hire Talent and Leaders: commssearch.com/hire-talent-and-leaders Max Forsyth LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/max-forsyth-comms-ir-exec-talent-search-recruitment-uk-us/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 6d ago

    What Makes a Great Client? Agency Partnerships, F1 Communications and Wizz Air's Reputation Turnaround | Rob Lester, THREESIXTY

    What do agencies really think about their clients? In this episode of Strategy, Story & Stakeholders, Max Forsyth sits down with Rob Lester, Managing Director of THREESIXTY Communications, to discuss what separates great agency-client relationships from average ones and how communications leaders can get more value from their external partners. Rob began his career as a journalist before moving into communications and now advises some of the world's best-known brands on reputation, crisis communications and media strategy. Together, they explore: What agencies genuinely value in their best clientsWhy the strongest partnerships feel like one communications teamHow in-house leaders can get more strategic value from agenciesWhy proactive communications beats simply reacting to headlinesThe future of corporate communications and reputation managementWhether storytelling is losing its place in modern communications The conversation also dives into two fascinating case studies: 🏎️ Formula One communications and the challenge of managing elite personalities, sponsors, media scrutiny and competing stakeholder interests in one of the world's most high-pressure environments. ✈️ Wizz Air's reputation turnaround, including how a more proactive communications strategy helped improve media sentiment, strengthen journalist relationships and reposition the airline's leadership team as credible industry voices. Whether you're working in communications, corporate affairs, public affairs or agency leadership, this episode offers practical lessons on reputation, stakeholder engagement and building stronger communications partnerships. Strategy, Story & Stakeholders is the podcast for senior leaders in communications, corporate affairs and investor relations. Hosted by Max Forsyth, Managing Director & Founder of Comms Search and Selection, he interviews a leading figure from the communications industry on how they have successfully communicated strategy and engaged stakeholders. Join the Comms Search Community for Early Access to Episodes, Live Forums & Events: https://community.commssearch.com/checkout/founders-tier Website: commssearch.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  2. Sep 21

    How Communications Leaders Earn Influence at the Top Table | Gab Ferree | Former VP of Global Communications, Slack & Bumble

    Gab Ferree has helped lead communications at some of the world's most recognised technology brands, including Slack and Bumble. In this episode of Strategy, Story & Stakeholders, Gab joins Max Forsyth to discuss what separates high-performing communications leaders from the rest, why influence matters as much as expertise, and how communications functions can earn a genuine seat at the leadership table. Topics covered include: • Building influence beyond the communications function • The evolving role of the communications leader • Leading through growth, change and uncertainty • Creating stronger relationships with executive stakeholders • Lessons from leading global communications teams at Slack and Bumble • Career advice for communications professionals looking to step into senior leadership roles Whether you're a Chief Communications Officer, Head of Corporate Affairs, Investor Relations leader or communications professional looking to accelerate your career, this conversation offers practical insights from someone who has operated at the highest levels of the profession. Strategy, Story & Stakeholders is the podcast for senior leaders in communications, corporate affairs and investor relations. Hosted by Max Forsyth, Managing Director & Founder of Comms Search and Selection, he interviews a leading figure from the communications industry on how they have successfully communicated strategy and engaged stakeholders. Join the Comms Search Community for Early Access to Episodes, Live Forums & Events: https://community.commssearch.com/checkout/founders-tier Website: commssearch.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  3. Aug 16

    How WeWork Rebuilt Trust After Bankruptcy | Thiago Viana, Head of Communications

    What does it take to rebuild trust when your company has faced one of the most public corporate crises in recent memory? In this episode of Strategy, Story & Stakeholders, Max Forsyth is joined by Thiago Viana, Head of Global Communications & Corporate Affairs at WeWork. Following WeWork's Chapter 11 restructuring, Thiago joined the business to help lead one of the most fascinating reputation and communications transformations of recent years. Working alongside CEO John Santora and Chief Marketing & Communications Officer Petula Lucey, he has helped reshape the company's narrative, rebuild stakeholder trust and communicate a new chapter for a globally recognised brand. Strategy, Story & Stakeholders is the podcast for senior leaders in communications, corporate affairs and investor relations. Hosted by Max Forsyth, Managing Director & Founder of Comms Search and Selection, he interviews a leading figure from the communications industry on how they have successfully communicated strategy and engaged stakeholders. Join the Comms Search Community for Early Access to Episodes, Live Forums & Events: https://community.commssearch.com/checkout/founders-tier Website: commssearch.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  4. Aug 4

    From Journalist to Communications Director: Andrea Klettner of Avison Young on Media, Storytelling & Trust

    In this episode of Strategy, Story & Stakeholders, Max Forsyth sits down with Andrea Klettner, Director of Communications at Avison Young UK & Ireland, to explore what she's learned from a career spanning journalism, agency consultancy and in-house communications leadership. Andrea reflects on the transition from reporting the news to shaping corporate narratives, revealing why her biggest surprise wasn't how journalists work, but how much strategic thinking sits behind effective communications. She discusses the importance of starting with outcomes, embedding communications into business strategy rather than treating it as a standalone function, and why trusted advisers are distinguished by their ability to listen before they speak. Strategy, Story & Stakeholders is the podcast for senior leaders in communications, corporate affairs and investor relations. Hosted by Max Forsyth, Managing Director & Founder of Comms Search and Selection, he interviews a leading figure from the communications industry on how they have successfully communicated strategy and engaged stakeholders. Join the Comms Search Community for Early Access to Episodes, Live Forums & Events: https://community.commssearch.com/checkout/founders-tier Website: commssearch.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  5. May 31

    Bridging the Credibility Gap with Caroline Vasquez at DRW: The Hockey Locker Room Rule, Winning the Quant Talent War, and Why Leadership Seats are Earned

    Traditional corporate fluff doesn’t fly in high-performance, high-stakes environments. In this episode of Strategy, Story & Stakeholders, host Max Forsyth sits down with Caroline Vasquez, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at DRW. Caroline has spent her career operating at the sharp intersection of finance, technology, and global markets — fostering deep corporate trust through volatile market cycles. Max and Caroline dive into what it truly takes to align corporate messaging with business realities, exploring why communication must always serve strategy, not just spin. Strategy, Story & Stakeholders is the podcast for senior leaders in communications, corporate affairs and investor relations. Hosted by Max Forsyth, Managing Director & Founder of Comms Search and Selection, he interviews a leading figure from the communications industry on how they have successfully communicated strategy and engaged stakeholders. Join the Comms Search Community for Early Access to Episodes, Live Forums & Events: https://community.commssearch.com/checkout/founders-tier Website: commssearch.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  6. May 12

    Beyond the Bricks: Sophie Timms on Commerciality, Crisis, and the Corporate Affairs Seat

    In this episode of Strategy, Story & Stakeholders, Max Forsyth sits down with Sophie Timms, Corporate Affairs Director at Kier Group. With over 25 years of experience across financial services and infrastructure, Sophie has a unique perspective on what it takes for communications leaders to move beyond being "note-takers" to becoming strategic drivers at the Exco table. Sophie shares the lessons learned from Kier’s recent CEO and CFO transitions, the "test and learn" approach she used to build her own commercial acumen, and why the construction industry needs to stop talking about "bricks" and start talking about "outcomes". We also explore the practicalities of engaging a dispersed five-generation workforce and why an endurance mindset is essential for navigating the 24/7 news cycle. Strategy, Story & Stakeholders is the podcast for senior leaders in communications, corporate affairs and investor relations. Hosted by Max Forsyth, Managing Director & Founder of Comms Search and Selection, he interviews a leading figure from the communications industry on how they have successfully communicated strategy and engaged stakeholders. Join the Comms Search Community for Early Access to Episodes, Live Forums & Events: https://community.commssearch.com/checkout/founders-tier Website: commssearch.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  7. May 2

    The Chief Communications Officer's Story: How CVS Health Aims to Become America’s Most Trusted Healthcare Company with Brian Henry

    Most healthcare brands struggle to tell a cohesive story that encompasses complex services and stakeholder trust — CVS Health is transforming that challenge into a strategic advantage. In this episode, Brian Henry, SVP and Chief Communications Officer at CVS Health, reveals how the company is shifting perceptions from neighborhood pharmacy to a comprehensive, trusted health tech powerhouse with a landmark $20 billion modernization plan. This episode is perfect for healthcare communicators, health tech innovators, and corporate storytellers eager to learn how a Fortune 10 company is redefining trust and engagement in a complex industry. Brian’s insights into transparency, impact, and leadership vulnerability offer invaluable lessons for anyone looking to elevate their organization’s narrative — and unlock new opportunities amid rapid technological change. Strategy, Story & Stakeholders is the podcast for senior leaders in communications, corporate affairs and investor relations. Hosted by Max Forsyth, Managing Director & Founder of Comms Search and Selection, he interviews a leading figure from the communications industry on how they have successfully communicated strategy and engaged stakeholders. Join the Comms Search Community for Early Access to Episodes, Live Forums & Events: https://community.commssearch.com/checkout/founders-tier Website: commssearch.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  8. Apr 2

    Tokenising the World: Swarm’s Katie Evans on Regulation, DeFi, and AI-Ready Markets

    How do you build a multi-billion dollar financial infrastructure in a sector often dismissed as "the Wild West"? For Katie Evans, Chief Business Development and Communications Officer at Swarm, the answer lies in three things: regulation, radical simplicity, and the "Power of Three." In this episode, Katie joins Max Forsyth to discuss Swarm’s strategic evolution and its recent acquisition by Inveniam. We step away from the "crypto-bro" hype to explore the actual mechanics of Real-World Asset (RWA) tokenization—using everything from Apple stocks to designer shoes as verifiable digital collateral. Key discussion points include: • The Transition from TradFi to DeFi: Lessons from the London Metal Exchange and eToro. • Building Credibility: Why Swarm chose to "steep its story in regulation" to attract institutional fiduciaries. • The Power of Analogy: Using the "Louboutin Ledger" to make complex financial structures tangible for investors. • The Agentic Shift: Preparing financial markets for a future where AI agents, not just humans, manage and rebalance portfolios. • The Future of PR: Why engaging with the press is more critical than ever in the age of LLMs. Strategy, Story & Stakeholders is the podcast for senior leaders in communications, corporate affairs and investor relations. Hosted by Max Forsyth, Managing Director & Founder of Comms Search and Selection, he interviews a leading figure from the communications industry on how they have successfully communicated strategy and engaged stakeholders. Join the Comms Search Community for Early Access to Episodes, Live Forums & Events: https://community.commssearch.com/checkout/founders-tier Website: commssearch.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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About

From the team at Comms Search & Selection, welcome to Strategy, Story & Stakeholders. It's the podcast for senior leaders in communications, corporate affairs and also investor relations. We're exploring how best to support CEOs and boards to build credibility and how to engage with stakeholders. So that's everyone, from employees and customers to investors and governments. At a time when trust in leaders is low, the power of clear storytelling has never been more important. Hosted by Max Forsyth, Managing Director and Founder of Comms Search and Selection. Max has a decade of experience recruiting comms and IR leaders, and in each episode, he will interview a leading figure from the communications and investor relations industry on how they have successfully communicated strategy, told stories and engaged stakeholders. Please take a moment to rate, review and subscribe to Strategy, Story and Stakeholders on Apple, Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts. It really helps others discover the show. Join the Comms Search & Selection Community. Early Access to Episodes, Plus Free Live Forums and Events: https://community.commssearch.com/sign-up-pricing About Comms Search & Selection: We are a specialist executive search and recruitment partner for Communications and Investor Relations teams. We build high-performing teams through Retained Executive Search, Exclusive Permanent Placements, and Contract & Interim solutions for industry leading companies across the UK, USA and worldwide. Website: commssearch.com Hire Talent and Leaders: commssearch.com/hire-talent-and-leaders Max Forsyth LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/max-forsyth-comms-ir-exec-talent-search-recruitment-uk-us/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Comms Search & Selection
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Comms Search & Selection
  • Show Website
    Strategy, Story & Stakeholders

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