James Kirkup

Drawing on my NYC emergency response days in the Mayor's office, I wrote about the role of debriefing and learning from previous experiences to inform the next one. Some may know it as the "after-action report." I provide a few recommended tips to build your readiness and infrastructure as we head into increasingly turbulent times. But hands down the biggest step any CCO or CMO can take is to build a collaborative culture across teams so that you don't fall victim to unforced errors.

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CIPR Crisis Communications Network Event: 'Reputation, Risk and Resilience: where now & what next?', Tuesday 30th September 13.00 – 14.15 BST I'm incredibly proud of every single event that the small but mighty volunteer army behind the CIPR Crisis Communications Network has put on over the the past three years. However, I'm personally particularly excited about our next event, taking place on 30th September, called 'Reputation, Risk and Resilience: where are we now and what happens next?'. We've assembled a stellar panel of experts, who - together with me and the Network's Co-Chair, Katherine Sykes FCIPR Chart.PR - will explore and discuss the key findings - and practical implications - of the report of that name, which I released in May. In the expanded 2024 edition, I summarised and analysed eight major global reports on those interlocking topics from the previous 12 months, providing a window into the current – and emerging – state of reputation, trust, risk, resilience, employee engagement, security and business continuity. We have purposefully hand-picked a panel who were personally involved in one of those eight reports (I've listed the relevant publication for each panellist below) and our expert line-up consists of: 1. Rachel Phillips, Director of Client Operations, Ipsos Corporate Reputation (Ipsos Reputation Council report) 2. Eliot Mizrachi, Vice President, Strategy and Content, The Page Society (Page Society 'CCO Views into 2024' report) 3. Nick Hope, Managing Director, Crisis and Risk, Edelman EMEA (Edelman Trust Barometer 2024) With just under a month to go, we already have 250+ people signed up to take part, so please do join us for what is set to be a provocative and insightful event. You can register via the link in the comments. #reputation #risk #resilience #crisis #crisiscommunications #riskmanagement #pr #publicrelations #communications #leadership #management #business #marketing

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https://lnkd.in/dpCExdCG There are still some important results to come from Thursday's local elections in England and Wales, not least the mayoral election in West Midlands where the Conservatives will be hoping to hold on as they did in Tees Valley. However, here is John Curtice's analysis based on where things stood when counting was suspended last night and it does indeed look grim for the Conservatives who have lost over half the council seats they held (and counting). The Beeb is reporting that there is no sign of a right-wing rebellion against Rishi Sunak yet; but, personally, I would not expect anyone to make a move before the West Midlands result is announced. If the Tories lose there and even more so if the loss of council seats crosses 500 an attempted ouster would come as no surprise even though the commentariat consensus (with which I agree) is that it would probably not succeed. What the threat might do, however, is push Mr Sunak into calling an early election - 20 percent probability only, according to the bookmakers (and, again, I agree) but one which cannot be dismissed.

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Interested in BNG? Have a read of our lessons learned with Local Planning Authorities and the Planning Advisory Service (PAS) in the first few months of BNG being mandatory: https://lnkd.in/eeEjN74K It's worth reiterating that while sustainable development and nature recovery can sit side by side, it takes effort across sectors and geographies to pull together for national change. #BiodiversityNetGain #BNG

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Yesterday’s Radio 4 PM show (22.57 to 27:19) on the potential phase-out of motorcycles by 2040 has stirred debate, but it’s crucial to provide a nuanced perspective on the matter. Henry Cole of the ITV Motorbike Show raised some important points on the value of our sector, but I want to expand and clarify the depth and breadth of our contribution to the UK’s transport ecosystems, now and in the future. 🛣️ Pragmatic Solutions for a Diverse Sector: Speculation about what might be announced (decision not been made) aside, the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) advocates for pragmatic and proportionate dates that acknowledge our vehicles’ diversity. Different L-Category vehicles have distinct use cases, safety considerations, and fuel challenges. Large capacity leisure motorcycles, for instance, require tailored approaches for a smooth transition towards zero emissions. ⚠️ Safety Concerns and Misconceptions: While safety concerns are obviously valid, labelling motorcycles as “death traps” oversimplifies the issue. Statistically, motorcyclists are fully or partly to blame for less than 20% of accidents. Instead of demonising, we need policies that anticipate tomorrow’s traffic mix and leverage our sector’s safety record as motivation to optimise and liberate our vehicls as a sustainable mode of mobility. 🔇 Loud Pipes and Safety: We do not endorse the notion of “loud pipes save lives.” Safety innovations and infrastructure improvements are key to enhancing road safety for all users, without resorting to excessive noise. 🏍️🛵🚗 Innovation and Customer Engagement: While the joy of leisure riding is undeniable, engaging younger demographics requires innovative approaches. Today’s customers seek more than just freedom, noise, and vibrations. Manufacturers are already shifting focus towards tomorrow’s technology needs. MCIA is also addressing other barriers like licensing complexities and cost through initiatives like our “A Licence to Net Zero” campaign and bespoke consumer incentive proposals. 🌍 Sustainable Solutions: The potential of motorcycles and other powered three and light four wheeled vehicles extends beyond leisure riding. They play a crucial role in emissions reduction, congestion relief, social mobility and the gig economy. Our sector is providing solutions to today’s transportation challenges head-on. 🤝 Engagement and Advocacy: It was mentioned our lobby was too small. This is untrue. We maintain strong relationships with the Government and have put our vehicles on the Government’s map in a way that is affecting change for the first time in our sector’s history. As we move forward, ensuring the conversation around the future of mopeds, motorcycles and other powered light vehicles is comprehensive and inclusive, is essential. We’re on the agenda for the right reasons and we plan on staying there, with this Government and the next, whoever that might be. https://lnkd.in/gWMnFRXP

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Bristol elections. If you'd like to discuss what the elections might mean for you, please message me, ping me an email, or pick up the old dog & bone. As the dust settles post election, a new team takes over with collaborative, bridge-building Cllr Tony Dyer at the helm of a Green-led minority administration, seeking to work with other groups including two policy chairs going to the Liberal Democrats (with former DCLG minister Stephen Williams re-entering Bristol politics as a Lib Dem ward councillor). At Tuesday's Full Council meeting the committee membership will become clearer. It appears that - for now - the Council will retain two development control committees, with the first meetings kicking off in June. We've heard one will be chaired by a very experienced Labour councillor, the other by a familiar member of the Green group...but this and all the speculation will settle next week. On Monday the committee considering an interim CEO will meet, after Stephen Peacock announced he is joining the West of England Combined Authority as its new Chief Exec. It will be interesting to see if WECA can harness Stephen's significant experience and diplomatic skills, including to bring [a willing] North Somerset into the fold. The West of England region can really benefit from the investment WECA is well placed to secure. Under the guidance of Alex Hearn and Simone Wilding Bristol's draft Local Plan has - as everyone knows - been submitted, with an anticipated September examination...there will, of course, be challenges to the plan, not least on the level of PBSA numbers. There remain inevitable tensions between competing land-uses in this extremely wonderful and popular city that has very little room for growth without collaboration with neighbouring authorities. None of this is easy. But we will continue to work with our clients, BCC, neighbouring authorities and the wider Bristol community to find collaborative ways to make investment work for everyone. https://lnkd.in/e4n-EShh

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A few immediate thoughts on the challenges ahead for the Labour Party "We may have turned the page but we now need to write the next chapter"

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The Local Digital team in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has begun a discovery project to understand the potential for scaling up data standards in local government. I'll be interested to see if this produces much in the way of standards to support the use of application programming interfaces (APIs) in the sector. At UKAuthority we've recently completed a research project revealing that there are still frustrations with the limited availability of APIs - a crucial mechanism for the sharing and reuse of data - and that a need for more standards is one of the main factors. I wouldn't expect a solution to emerge quickly from the Local Digital effort but hopefully it will provide a significant boost for the effort. https://lnkd.in/exH_fRH9 #localgovernment #datastandards

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🚨 REVEALED 🚨 : What the local election results mean for your planning application. ...and drum roll please.... Nothing. Huh? New political administrations, new councillors, lots of briefings needed - right? No, not really. Ask yourself, are members of planning committees still going to be influenced by NIMBYs? If the answer is 'yes' to this question, then it's 'yes' to the next. Will members of planning committees be influenced by supporters? So your plan to focus on generating meaningful support is still the right one. Unless that's not your plan, in which case.... ... do you think it should be? #planning #housing #realestate

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CIPR Crisis Communications Network Event: In Conversation with Dr. Timothy Coombs, 1st July 2024 I'm hugely looking forward to leading a conversation, on 1st July for the CIPR Crisis Communications Network, with Timothy Coombs. Dr. Coombs is one of the world's foremost crisis communications academics and advisors, most famous for his Situational Crisis Communication Theory. I hope that we will have a terrific turnout for what promises to be a fascinating discussion - do join us on 1st July! #trust #risk #resilience #reputation #crisiscommunications #publicrelations #pr #crisismanagement #riskmanagement #leadership #management #communications #business #marketing

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There are a lot of reasons the new government will find its housebuilding targets difficult – two of which have neatly been covered in the weekend’s papers. The Sunday Times (https://lnkd.in/ezrhhGUT), on the one hand, has looked at the practical realities of actually delivering these new homes: how do we get enough workers, materials, etc. etc.? While the FT has a very worthwhile piece (https://lnkd.in/eGuheTcz) on how to actually build the community support needed to make it happen. Both, ultimately, boil down to the reputation both of the construction industry and property as a whole. One is often unfairly viewed as an unattractive and unstable career path; the other, again, often unfairly as full of individuals just out to make their fortunes. Neither, obviously, is entirely unfair. But the reputation of the whole is hurt by those which make it up, and that in turn is making delivery of the new homes we need so much harder. Instead of bowing to the pressure, it’s why it’s so important Labour not only set an ambitious target (300,000 new homes per year) – but increased it (to 370,000). It’s a statement of intent, in full recognition of the challenges, that it is committed to providing developers with the stability they need to build – and the stability contractors need to invest in skills. And it’s why it’s so important that institutional and professional players – whether the likes of Legal & General and Pension Insurance Corporation plc Insurance Corporation or housing associations such as Peabody (my landlord/freeholder) – are visible and championing long-term investment into new communities, not just new homes. And, finally, it's why it's so important that the industry engages: with people in the communities in which it wants to build, with the people who will one day be living in the homes it creates, and with the government - including through bodies such as Skills England. The reputation of individual developers, investors and the industry as a whole is going to make a tangible impact on how well they do under this government. Let’s see how they play it. SEC Newgate UK | #StrategicCommunications | #PurposeCommunications

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Media training with Black Swans? We'll put you through your paces with our intensive but supportive media training workshops. Whether your a blue chip company, a housing association or a local authority. Our workshops are certainly challenging but great fun. And if you haven't got a clue what I'm banging on about, read my blog -the link is below. (Just watch out for the Black Swans.) #crisiscomms #mediatraining #pr https://lnkd.in/eRrp24r9

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Looking forward to chairing this session for PLMR Genesis colleagues next week, with an expert panel discussing what may happen in the polls coming July 4th & what the East of England needs from a new administration. Sign-up details below if you want to listen in! #politics #policy #publicaffairs #eastofengland

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CPP #election2024 briefings are coming thick and fast! Read the latest from Ross Mudie on how the next government can deliver more good jobs in poorer areas through a focus on manufacturing:

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This morning we published our analysis of the Labour and Tory manifestos for 2024, with a focus on some pressing issues for local government. You can read it here: https://lnkd.in/ec7DXxMd While the polling seems pretty conclusive on the outcome next week, for us the important thing to bear in mind is that the problems which led to the 2019 Conservative manifesto promising a generational push in housebuilding and a socio-economic rebalancing of the country remain - as do many of the challenges which led to a failure of delivery. If Labour win next week, their position in five years time will depend on implementing their promises - which are in many places, particularly housebuilding, very similar - with more success. In a nutshell: "The party manifestos of the Conservative and Labour parties reveal two approaches to government and the role of the local state, bound by a shared avoidance of the crucial issue of immediate capacity uplift. Restoring local capacity to deliver will be crucial to raising public satisfaction with government at all levels, and a proper assessment must be made before the next spending review. Similarly, the role of local contracting in social prosperity should be given more serious weight in the future of local economic development than it has been afforded in these manifestos. On issues of planning and development – so crucial to a future of sustainable prosperity – the Labour Party certainly offers a more comprehensive and convincing vision of delivery. Yet it cannot be ignored that Labour would be far from the first party to come into office with a plan to overhaul the system and develop new homes at pace. In fact, they would be the second party to do so since 2019, and the comparisons between the Conservative offer on housebuilding in that election and their current offer could prove instructive should Labour gain office, as the current polling strongly suggests. " #localgov

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Comms thought: Don't start a blog, article or report with 'it's a complex landscape' or a 'complex problem'. It's almost always true, but it's such a demotivating opener. It makes you deflate right at the start and gives the impression that it's going to be difficult to grasp and you'll have to work really hard to understand what this thing is telling you. Much better to start with a key take away and go on to unpack what's under it and discuss different dimensions, complexity etc.

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There is always light in the planning tunnel as we found after substantial political and community engagement helped unlock 𝟲𝟲𝟬 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀, a 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲, 𝟭𝗙𝗘 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹, 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱𝘀 and a 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲 in the 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲. 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 We were brought on board in 2017 to help gain an allocation in the Vale of White Horse DC Local Plan Part 2, and if successful to then support a planning application, both of which were achieved, albeit over 7 years! 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲 There was initial scepticism from the Cabinet Member for Planning and Regeneration at a briefing meeting in early 2017 that the site was “not an obvious location for almost 700 homes.” 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 • I initially organised meetings with the ward member, parish and neighbouring parish councils and other community leaders emphasizing that the site was not in the Green Belt or AONB, had good access onto the A420 Oxford – Swindon road, and helped meet the City of Oxford’s unmet need. • To best understand community concerns we hosted a public exhibition attended by 132 residents and set up a consultation website. Several key stakeholders attended, including ward and parish councillors. Turnout was low for such a substantial scheme which perhaps reflected the edge of village location of the scheme. • The site was subsequently allocated in the Conservative led VWHDC Local Plan Part 2, we then supported a planning application but during the process the Conservatives lost control of the Council to the Liberal Democrats, who had a different agenda on new homes. • After the first planning application was refused due to technical reasons surrounding air quality and highways, a second planning application was submitted. We drafted a briefing letter to councillors explaining how surveys had resolved the technical issues in the refused application to the satisfaction of the county and district councils; and the scheme supported the district council’s priorities in key areas, including the provision of a new relief road which would remove traffic from the village centre. 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁 Following the Case Officer commenting at committee ‘there were no technical reasons to withhold permission’, planning was unanimously consented by the Liberal Democrat led Planning Committee, having been allocated in the Local Plan by a Conservative led council. The scheme included over £20 million in infrastructure funding and £7 million for a new 1FE primary school.

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For any stakeholder group, there are very few times as nerve-racking as waiting for a call from a member of Government, or a Department of Health bureaucrat, on Budget night. In one short phone call, you can find out if your months, or sometimes years, of advocacy will be rewarded. Lung Foundation Australia CEO Mark Brooke shares the story of their long journey to Australia’s $264 million National Lung Cancer Screening Program and shares advocacy insights on how to achieve a win win for health consumer groups and government. #communicationscience #advocacy https://lnkd.in/gAGrKkz3

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