Communications leadership experience
So who are Highbank Communications and what makes us so good at what we do?
We are vastly experienced in communicating effectively with key audiences to enhance marketing and communications delivery, strengthen brand and reputation and maximise business performance.
Clive Hawkins - Director
Former Global Head of Employee Communication & Media Relations for National Grid plc, Clive was chief media spokesperson throughout its transformation into one of the largest energy companies in the world directing employee engagement in the UK and US. With his extensive communication leadership experience, Clive has the expertise to guide and personally advise your organisation.
His time at National Grid involved directing national and international communication programmes, often under intense government, regulatory, media and public scrutiny. He continues to work on a range of Internal and external communication programmes with regional, national and international organisations in energy, aggregates and financial services.
Clive Hawkins
Deborah Hawkins - Director
Started her career in financial services with Barclays and The Woolwich before moving to professional services where she has worked for a number of law firms including Dentons LLP.
Deborah has also worked as a marketing director for a creative and exhibitions company and brings extensive marketing communications, business development, key account management and client development expertise.
Deborah Hawkins
Sarah Pooley - Senior Associate Partner
Sarah has provided digital communication consultancy services to a range of organisations across many different sectors including Pierre Fabre, Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts, the Port of London Authority and the Motorsport Industry Association.
She has a strong digital marketing background (Google Squared graduate and Social Marketing Certification with Hootsuite Academy) and extensive brand development experience gleaned over fifteen years in digital.
Sarah Pooley
Ross Hayman, Senior Associate Partner
Ross has extensive utilities, regulatory and energy infrastructure experience having directed National Grid UK’s media relations function for over a decade, was a member of National Grid’s UK Strategic Response Team and senior communications lead for UK crisis and incidents.
Ross is a qualified journalist and worked as a reporter on regional daily and weekly newspapers for 10 years before moving into media relations. More recently he was a Director of Copper Consultancy, having established their Northern Office in Cumbria and supporting a number of utilities on major investment projects.
Ross Hayman
Additional credentials
- Member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations
- Member of European Association of Communication Directors
- Member of Institute of Directors
- Member of the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce
- Member of the Market Research Society
- Business Supporter and mentor at the Leigh UTC, Dartford
- Former chair of the communication directorate of Energy UK
- Former inaugural member of the Queen Elizabeth Engineering Prize Communications Counsel
- Former board member of UK environmental charity, Groundwork Thames Valley