Hannah Cruickshank
Northampton
Summary
Strategic communications specialist with a proven track record in high-pressure, politically sensitive environments. Expertise in crisis communication management and the development of innovative campaigns that enhance organizational reputation and drive behaviour change. Demonstrated ability to execute complex projects that effectively raise awareness of critical issues.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work history
Senior Communications Manager
NHS Northamptonshire ICB
Northampton
2017.11 - 2026.04
- Facilitated external and internal communications.
- Supported the assistant director of communications as required.
- Provided guidance on strategic communications matters.
- Assisted senior leaders in communicating clearly and authentically during crises.
- Managed team performance through appraisals and conflict resolution.
- Chaired health communications calls to promote collaboration.
- Participated in local covid-19 communications to align with national messaging.
- Handled crisis communications including safeguarding reports and industrial action.
- Developed effective relationships and negotiated through complex issues.
Communications Manager
Cheshire and Merseyside CSU/Halton CCG
Liverpool/Runcorn
2013.01 - 2017.11
- Responsibility for delivering communications across two NHS organisations
- Assisted in achieving targets and received monthly client scores of 4 or above out of 5
- Wrote and delivered the communications strategy and evaluated communication channels annually.
- Helped redevelop channels like the members briefing to improve satisfaction scores by 15%.
- Managed the communications budget and aided in reducing costs by 50% without compromising quality or efficiency
- Led public relations campaigns that boosted brand awareness, including a 'choose well' initiative that raised awareness by 20% through a multi-channel approach involving media relations, social media, and stakeholder events.
- Supervised a small team, monitoring performance, conducting reviews and appraisals, and identifying development opportunities for team members.
Education
MA - Strategic Communication
UCLAN
Preston, LancashireBA(hons) - Life, Literature and Thought with American Studies
John Moores University
NCTJ -
Liverpool Community College
LiverpoolSkills
- Lead on complex issues and projects, always delivering on time even with tight deadlines
- Able to influence at all levels, inside and outside the organisation
- Identify emerging issues and collaborate to find solutions
- Delivered multi-channel campaigns on time and budget, which raised awareness and affected behaviour change
- Stakeholder engagement including preparing briefings and organising ministerial visits
- Oversight for emerging issues log, media handling and writing media releases and media training
- Can translate complex and sensitive topics into compelling and engaging storytelling
- Deliver on staff communication channels and have led on multiple change management processes
- Led on Annual Report and award entry submissions
- Delivered multiple events including Annual General Meetings, marketplaces, conferences and a world record attempt involving over 3,000 people articles
Accomplishments
- Won the CIPR Excellence Award in the public sector category for “Liverpool’s Challenge” campaign
- Published article in the Communication in Healthcare journal about the use of social marketing techniques
- Implemented a behaviour change campaign that led to an increased uptake in pregnant women of 28%
- Led a successful World Record Attempt for ‘Most people exercising to a fitness video’ involving 3,000 local people
- 70% success rate being shortlisted for award entry submissions
- Produced a monthly health show on local community radio
Voluntary
Trustee, Veterans Community Network (VCN) from June 2023 to June 2025
- Trustee with VCN, a charity providing one-to-one support and social prescribing activities for veterans with shared control and legal responsibility for governance, ensuring it stayed true to its purpose and values, managed its finances responsibly, and complied with the law
- Attended monthly meetings and was a key part of the decision-making process for the charity, including on reputational issues, contracts and remuneration
REFERENCES
Available on request
Timeline
Senior Communications Manager
NHS Northamptonshire ICB
2017.11 - 2026.04
Communications Manager
Cheshire and Merseyside CSU/Halton CCG
2013.01 - 2017.11
MA - Strategic Communication
UCLAN
BA(hons) - Life, Literature and Thought with American Studies
John Moores University
NCTJ -
Liverpool Community College