Communicating Purpose with John Higginson

This week on the Communicating Purpose podcast, John Higginson speaks to Sara Kenny, Communications and Marketing Manager at Biodiversify. Sara's route into the role has been anything but linear. She started with a zoology degree, moved into journalism, then found her way into digital marketing at the charity Children in Crossfire, picking up skills across very different worlds along the way. She...

This week on the Communicating Purpose podcast, John Higginson is joined by Martin Allen Morales, CEO of the Institute of Imagination . Martin has an extraordinary story to tell. From a childhood in Peru shadowed by terrorism and inequality, to arriving in a very divided 1980s Britain as a young boy seeking safety, his path has taken him through DJ booths, record labels, restaurant kitchens and th...

This week on the Communicating Purpose podcast, John Higginson speaks to Jaye Cowle, Founder and CEO of Launch. Jane didn’t set out to build an agency. After moving from London to Cornwall during the financial crisis, she found herself suddenly “unemployable” in the local job market with two young children. Then one interview changed everything — when the person across the table told her: “I’m not...

This week on the Communicating Purpose podcast, John is joined by Naomi Smith, CEO of Best for Britain. Having grown up during the Troubles in Northern Ireland and later walking away from a six-figure finance career to fight for a cause most people told her she couldn’t win, Naomi is not someone who gives up easily. Launched in 2017 to stop Brexit, today Best for Britain focuses on strengthening U...

As 2025 draws to a close, we’re bringing the year to a finish with a special highlights episode of the Communicating Purpose podcast. This episode revisits five conversations that stayed with me after the microphones were switched off — from the frontlines of BBC News and government communications, to boardrooms, policy think tanks, climate action, and one of the most powerful campaigns for public...

This week, John Higginson speaks with Rosamund Kissi-Debrah CBE , whose daughter Ella became the first person in the world to have air pollution listed as a cause of death. Since then, Rosamund has led a relentless campaign for cleaner air — not just in London, but across the UK and beyond. She talks about what it takes to turn personal tragedy into lasting change, the links between pollution and...

It's my pleasure to share with you the latest episode of the Communicating Purpose podcast with Dan Harris, Founder and CEO of Neurodiversity in Business. Neurodiversity in Business is a remarkable charity and business forum dedicated to advancing best practices in neurodiversity recruitment, retention, and empowerment. Their mission is to help organizations create more neuro-inclusive workplaces...

It's my pleasure to share with you the latest episode of the Communicating Purpose podcast with Charlotte Morgan, Senior Head of Communications at BBC News. At the heart of the world’s largest broadcast news organisation, Charlotte helps shape how the BBC engages global audiences, navigates controversy, and builds trust in its journalism around the world. From organising the launch of a...

It's my pleasure to share with you the latest episode of the Communicating Purpose podcast with Rachel Epstein, Head of Marketing and External Affairs at Skyral. At the forefront of this British advanced modelling software company, Rachel leads Skyral's global marketing, brand strategy and external affairs - shaping how this innovative data company communicates its mission, drives innovation to pr...

It's my pleasure to share with you the latest episode of the Communicating Purpose podcast with Liam Parker, Chief Communications and Corporate Relations Officer at Formula 1. At the heart of this global brand, Liam leads Formula 1’s communications, digital strategy, and political engagement—shaping how the sport speaks to the world, drives sustainability, and navigates its place on the inter...

It's my pleasure to share with you the latest episode of the Communicating Purpose podcast with Phil Hall, Head of Public Policy and Public Relations, Society of Pension Professionals. SPP is the UK’s leading body representing a wide range of providers across the pensions industry—from actuaries and lawyers to investment managers and administrators—collectively influencing policy for the majority...

It's my pleasure to share with you the latest episode of the Communicating Purpose podcast with Adam Lake, Head of Communications at Climate Group North America. Climate Group exists to accelerate climate action by bringing together the world's most influential businesses and governments. For 20 years, they've created platforms where collective commitments drive real change. In his role as Head of...

It’s my pleasure to share with you the latest episode of the Communicating Purpose podcast with Tanya Braun, Director of External Affairs and Fundraising at Living Streets—the UK charity for everyday walking. Living Streets exists to create a walking nation, where streets are free from congestion and pollution, and walking is the natural choice for everyday journeys. The charity’s mission is roote...

It’s my pleasure to share with you the latest episode of the Communicating Purpose podcast with Arthur Thomas, Public Affairs Advisor at FOUR PAWS  UK -  a campaigning organisation dedicated to improving the conditions of animals under direct human influence. With experience across multiple charity sectors, Arthur has built a career in public affairs and campaigning. Before joining Four...

It’s my pleasure to share with you the latest episode of the Communicating Purpose podcast with Rachel Bhageerutty, Global Director of Strategic Communication at Animals Asia Animals Asia is a charity dedicated to ending bear bile farming and improving animal welfare across Asia. At the heart of Rachel's work is a mission to shift perceptions, build trust across cultures, and centre...

It’s my pleasure to share with you the latest episode of the Communicating Purpose podcast with Toby Elliott, Head of Communications at Network Rail Western. Overseen by the Department for Transport, Network Rail is the public body that owns and manages the UK’s rail infrastructure. In his role, Toby shapes the organisation’s communications strategy - determining the most effective ways to en...

It’s my pleasure to share with you the latest episode of the Communicating Purpose podcast with Gill Perkins, CEO of the Bumblebee Conservation Trust. Perkins transitioned from a successful business career to focus on her passion for conservation. Since 2016, Gill has led the Trust's initiatives and operations, ensuring the organisation delivers against its strategy. Under Gill’s leadership,...

It’s my pleasure to share with you the latest episode of the Communicating Purpose podcast with Leonora Merry - Director of Communications and External Affairs at Nuffield Trust. Leonora Merry joined Nuffield Trust over a decade ago, serving as Deputy Director of Communications until 2020. She led efforts to promote the think tank’s research across media, Parliament, and the policy community....

It’s my pleasure to share with you the latest episode of the Communicating Purpose podcast with Catherine Thomas, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Clarion Housing Group .  As the UK's largest housing association, Catherine spearheads Clarion Housing Group's efforts to shape government policy and drive positive change in the housing sector. Before joining Clarion, Catherine held se...

It’s my pleasure to share with you the latest episode of the Communicating Purpose podcast with Andreas Bock, Head of Communications at the European Council on Foreign Relations. Before joining ECFR, Andreas worked at n-ost, a journalist network and media NGO dedicated to cross-border journalism and foreign reporting across Europe. As head of the editorial department for eurotopics.net , he l...

It’s my pleasure to share with you the latest episode of the Communicating Purpose podcast with Hugo Tagholm, Executive Director and Vice President of  Oceana. Hugo previously led the ocean campaigning charity Surfers Against Sewage, taking action from the beach front to the front benches of Parliament, and securing government legislation to protect our seas across four environmental pillars...

It’s my pleasure to share with you the latest episode of the Communicating Purpose podcast with Nicola Green, Chief Communications and Corporate Affairs Officer at Virgin Media O2 . Nicola is responsible for Public Affairs, Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability, Internal and External Communications.  She joined the company in 2003 as Head of Media and under her leadership, helped O2 a...

It’s my pleasure to share with you the latest episode of the Communicating Purpose podcast with Pam Cowburn, Head of Communications and Campaigns at the Open Rights Group.  Founded in 2005, ORG is the UK’s leading and largest grassroots digital rights and privacy campaigning organisation. They work to protect individuals’ rights to privacy and free speech online.   Its current campa...

It’s my pleasure to share with you the latest episode of the Communicating Purpose podcast with Kerrina Thorogood, Partnerships Director at the Fairtrade Foundation. The Fairtrade Foundation is a UK charity supporting disadvantages producers by setting social, economic, and environmental standards for farmers and workers in the "first mile" of the supply chain. Kerrina’s work at the...

As the year comes to a close, it's my pleasure to bring you the culminating episode of the Communicating Purpose podcast for 2024—a celebration of the remarkable conversations and insights we’ve shared this year. This special compilation highlights some of my favourite moments with accomplished purpose-driven leaders, with anecdotes and actionable wisdom from some of the most visionary c...