16 Jan 2025
Join us at Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre for the first masterclass focused on managing reputation in the high-stakes world of defence and security communications.
Focusing on communication and marketing professionals in defence and security
Reputation Masterclass 2025 is designed to equip you with the tools, strategies, and insights needed to thrive in a complex and evolving landscape, whether you’re in the private sector or working in the UK Ministry of Defence.
Why attend
In today’s unpredictable climate, managing public perception and protecting organisational reputation in defence and security is more critical than ever. This masterclass, guided by top industry leaders, is designed to deliver actionable insights and hands-on strategies for managing reputation risks and engaging stakeholders.
We've developed this masterclass based on the challenges and opportunities shared with us.
- Build on your existing communications strategy
- Prepare for success at DSEI 2025
- Navigate stakeholder relationships with confidence
- Connect with peers who face similar challenges
- Log 10 CIPR CPD points
The Venue
The Agenda
Speakers
Simon Enright
Director of Communications, MOD
Ali Kefford
Naval journalist
Tom Sharpe OBE
Columnist, The Daily Telegraph
Jerome Starkey
Defence Editor, The Sun
Freya Lewis
Head of External Communications, ADS Group
Andrea Stovin-Bradford
PR & marketing manager, Canny Comms
Rachael Clamp
Past CIPR President, Founding Director of Ardesey
Philip Ingram MBE
Security journalist, lead host and panel chair
Rebecca Jones
Associate Director of Client Accounts, Sibylline
Andrew Fox
Research fellow, Henry Jackson Society
Stuart Nicol
Heropreneurs mentor and investment expert
Dr Elizabeth Newman-Earl
CEO, e50K Strategic Advisory
Heledd Kendrick
Founder and CEO, Recruit for Spouses
Ed Fox
Principal Consultant, PA Consulting
Helena Holden
Marketing and Communications Delivery Lead, Canny Comms
Andrew Kinniburgh
Director General, Make UK Defence
David Scotter
Director – Events & Market
Development, ADS Group
Les Gregory
Industry advisor, Canny Comms
AJ Bouchada
Founder, Cebiso M Studio
Cebiso Mhlanga
Co-Founder - Creative Lead, Cebiso M Studio
Rachael Bilecki
Head of Marcomms, Concurrent
Nathan Jones
Former RAF pilot & Founder of Peak State
Davs Howard
Technical Director, Major Digital
Pricing
- Standard
£250 + VAT - All proceeds will go to military charities, SSAFA and Heropreneurs.
REGISTRATION CLOSES on 31 December 2024.
Discounted
- Canny Comms Clients
£175 + VAT (30% discount) - ADS Group Members
£200 + VAT (20% discount) - Make UK Defence Members
£200 + VAT (20% discount) - CIPR Members
£225 + VAT (10% discount) - Email info@canny-comms.co.uk to request the relevant discount code.
Additional
- MOD
Complimentary (email us info@canny-comms.co.uk to receive your access code)
Why is Canny Comms organising this conference?
As communications professionals in defence and security, we all know the unique challenges our sector faces. That's why we're investing our expertise, network, and resources to create something special for our community – Reputation Masterclass 2025.
After years of supporting defence comms and marketing pros, we've seen the same challenges arise time and again. Rather than keep our insights to ourselves, we're bringing together the very best of our network to share knowledge, build capabilities, and strengthen our entire sector.
This isn't a commercial venture – it's our way of giving back. Every penny of profit will be donated to the military charities SSAFA and Heropreneurs, turning professional development into community impact.
Date: 16 January 2025
Time: 09:30 arrival for a 10:00 start – 17:00 finish
Location: Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre
CPD points: 10 CIPR CPD points
Dress: Business casual
Food: Lunch and refreshments included
Agenda
09:30 – 10:00
Networking & welcome tea & coffee
10:00 – 10:05
Opening remarks, Helena Holden, Canny Comms.
10:05 – 10:10
Introduction and overview of the day, Philip Ingram (host), security journalist.
10:10 - 11:00
Headline panel: The front line of reporting – media perspectives on defence & security. An exploration of media coverage of conflict and the defence industry, with guidance on effective collaboration with correspondents.
Panel members:
- Chair: Andrea Stovin-Bradford, Canny PR and comms expert
- Tom Sharpe, columnist at the Telegraph
- Ali Kefford, freelance national naval journalist
- Philip Ingram, freelance security journalist
- Freya Lewis, head of external communications for ADS Group
11:00 – 11:45
Panel: Navigating the defence landscape – misinformation, geopolitics & the modern world. Understanding the communications challenges posed by misinformation and evolving geopolitical tensions.
Panel members:
- Chair: Philip Ingram
- Rebecca Jones, Associate Director at Sibylline
- Andrew Fox, Research Fellow at The Henry Jackson Society
11:45 – 12:00
Networking break (tea & coffee)
12:00 – 12:45
Panel: Reputation under the microscope – ethics, social value & community in defence. Examining the complex interplay of social responsibility, community relations, and ESG funding in the defence industry.
Panel members:
- Chair: Philip Ingram, freelance security journalist
- Elizabeth Newman-Earl, social value expert and founder of e50k consultancy
- Stuart Nicol, Heropreneurs mentor and technology investment expert
- Helena Holden, communications expert for Canny and ex-Army communicator
12:45 – 13:15
Keynote: Public affairs in a shifting political landscape. Insights into the evolving role of public affairs and lobbying in defence and security.
Speaker: Rachael Clamp, former CIPR president and founder of Ardesey
13:15 – 14:00
Lunch break
14:00 – 14:30
Lightning talks:
Quick, impactful talks on the latest in defence marketing and digital innovation, covering digital security, rebranding, and managing mergers and acquisitions.
- Digital security and aesthetics: Building beautiful and secure platforms - Davs Howard, MAJOR
- Rebranding for the Future: Concurrent’s transformation after 30 years - Rachael Bileckii, Concurrent
14:30 – 15:15
Panel: Building high-performance teams and promoting mental fitness. A discussion on creating resilient, high-performing teams and mental wellness in the industry.
Panel:
- Chair: Helena Holden, Canny comms expert
- Ed Fox, PA Consulting
- Heledd Kendrick, Recruit for Spouses
- Nathan Jones, Peak State
15:15 – 15:45
Keynote: Harnessing 3D visualisations: bringing innovation to life through immersive design. Revealing how AR, VR, and 3D animation can bring sophisticated technologies to life when physical demonstrations are impractical or impossible.
Speakers: AJ Bouchada and Cebiso Mhlanga, co-founders of Cebiso M Studios
15:45 – 16:00
Afternoon break (tea & coffee)
16:00 – 16:30
Panel: Maximising impact at DSEI – lessons from industry leaders. Strategic insights on making the most of large-scale defence exhibitions like DSEI.
Panel:
Chair: Philip Ingram
Andrew Kinniburgh, director general, Make UK Defence
David Scotter, events lead, ADS Group
Les Gregory, Canny industry advisor and DSEI veteran
16:30 – 17:00
Keynote: Collaborating with government communications teams. Guidance on working effectively with MOD communications teams.
Speaker: Simon Enright, director of communications, MOD
17:00
Closing remarks - Philip Ingram