Soldier in a camo gear.
Reputation Masterclass 2025

Reputation Masterclass

Last year's speakers

Simon Enright

Simon Enright

Director of Communications, MOD

 Ali Kefford

Ali Kefford

Naval journalist

Tom Sharpe

Tom Sharpe OBE

Columnist, The Daily Telegraph

Jerome Starkey

Jerome Starkey

Defence Editor, The Sun

Freya Lewis

Freya Lewis

Head of External Communications, ADS Group

Andrea Stovin-Bradford

Andrea Stovin-Bradford

PR & marketing manager, Canny Comms

Rachael Clamp

Rachael Clamp

Past CIPR President, Founding Director of Ardesey

Philip Ingram

Philip Ingram MBE

Security journalist, lead host and panel chair

Rebecca Jones

Rebecca Jones

Associate Director of Client Accounts, Sibylline

Andrew Fox

Andrew Fox

Research fellow, Henry Jackson Society

Stuart Nicol

Stuart Nicol

Heropreneurs mentor and investment expert

Dr Elizabeth Newman-Earl

Dr Elizabeth Newman-Earl

CEO, e50K Strategic Advisory

Heledd Kendrick

Heledd Kendrick

Founder and CEO, Recruit for Spouses

Ed Fox

Ed Fox

Principal Consultant, PA Consulting

Helena Holden

Helena Holden

Marketing and Communications Delivery Lead, Canny Comms

Andrew Kinniburgh

Andrew Kinniburgh

Director General, Make UK Defence

David Scotter

David Scotter

Director – Events & Market
Development, ADS Group

Les Gregory

Les Gregory

Industry advisor, Canny Comms

AJ Bouchada

AJ Bouchada

Founder, Cebiso M Studio

Cebiso Mhlanga

Cebiso Mhlanga

Co-Founder - Creative Lead, Cebiso M Studio

Rachael Bilecki

Rachael Bilecki

Head of Marcomms, Concurrent

Nathan Jones

Nathan Jones

Former RAF pilot & Founder of Peak State

Davs Howard

Davs Howard

Technical Director, Major Digital

Last year's 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

A few shots of last year's event