Association Communications Summit

This comprehensive one-day event will provide delegates with an understanding of the current issues and trends emerging from associations producing communications across multiple platforms and walk away with some practical tips and tools that they can apply in their respective associations.

Suitable for delegates from associations, industry bodies and not-for profit organisations.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

Publications | Marketing | Communications | Public Affairs | Media | Member Liaison | Member Engagement | Members Services | Membership

About the Venue Sponsor

Manchester Central

Manchester Central is an award-winning venue in the heart of one of Europe's most vibrant cities; our vaulted arches and station clock have made our venue an iconic city feature for more than 140 years.

Our flexible spaces provide the perfect platform for events of all shapes, sizes and formats; from team conferences and training seminars to business expos, sporting events and gala dinners. You will be guided each step of the way by our experienced team of professionals who lead the industry with unrivalled service standards.

Our city-centre location and on-site car park means we are easy to reach, however you chose to travel, thanks to the city’s extensive multi-modal transport network.

About the Speakers

John Peacock AM - Director, Governology

John is an international advisor to associations and charities, specialising in governance, mergers, and strategic planning. John Peacock is a highly experienced international advisor to associations and charities and is a thought leader for the associations sector. Since 2000, John has trained and consulted to hundreds of associations and charities, large and small, on strategic planning, governance, board effectiveness, operations, restructuring, financial issues and external reviews. His particular areas of specialisation are governance, mergers of associations and developing association plans. John has presented to associations in 17 nations.

Francesca Cockshull - Director, Publishing and Communications, Association of Anaesthetists GB and Ireland

Fran has over 16 years working across commercial and not-for-profit organisations, mostly within the academic publishing medicine and health sciences space. Currently a member of the senior leadership team at the Association of Anaesthetists, as Director of Publishing and Communications, also covering policy and advocacy, fundraising and heritage. Skills include people leadership, portfolio/programme management, budgets and charity finance and governance processes, relationship building, EDI, communications, editing, publishing, HR, and executive coaching.

Freya Lewis - Head of External Communications, ADS Group

Freya has been the head of external communications at ADS, trade association for aerospace, defence, security and space, since 2023. She has overseen a communications strategy overhaul that has trebled media engagement, doubled digital communications metrics and supported an 8pp increase in the organisation’s NPS. She leads a small team to support 1800 members; 130+ events every year; and total reputation management. Prior to joining ADS, she worked as a senior strategic communications advisor to government and multilateral organisations in the Middle East; spent three years delivering communications for defence intelligence provider Janes; and worked for a government minister in the UK parliament.

Sarah Waddington CBE CDir FPRCA ChartPR - Chief Executive Officer, Public Relations and Communications Association

Sarah is the CEO of the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA), the world’s largest professional PR body.  Sarah is the UK’s first Chartered director and Chartered PR practitioner, offering a unique mix of governance and communications expertise. Her CBE was awarded in June 2021 for services to public relations and voluntary sectors. Sarah is a co-founder of Socially Mobile, a not-for-profit PR training school helping those from lower socio-economic backgrounds and under-represented groups to increase their earning potential. She is also a Past President of the CIPR and is a regular speaker at industry events.