Leander Ballarin

• Responsible for developing and overseeing the communication strategy for large-scale transformation initiatives in a FTSE 30 enterprise, ensuring the effective and cohesive delivery of change across the organisation.
• Subject matter expert (SME) on all things 'communications', driving Compass Group’s change agenda.
• Embeded best-in-class communication methodologies to ensure clear, consistent messaging across all channels and sectors, aligning with transformation goals.
• Collaborated with the programme delivery team to create and implement a comprehensive communication strategy that aligns with business objectives.
• Ensured messaging reflects the organisation’s values and supports the adoption of new processes, systems, and ways of working, working closely with specialist Change Managers.
• Developed and implemented communication methodologies throughout the programme lifecycle, ensuring alignment with transformation objectives..
• Monitored communication effectiveness and used feedback and metrics to adjust strategies as needed.
• SME for group programme communications, ensuring consistency in approach, style, and messaging for stakeholders.
• Created and executing a communication strategy to support large-scale change initiatives, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
• Develops clear, consistent messaging to facilitate understanding and the adoption of change across the organisation.
• Managed crisis communications, providing transparent and timely responses during periods of uncertainty or resistance.
• Lead employee engagement initiatives both pre- and post-deployment to ensure smooth transitions and successful programme adoption.
• Built strong relationships with senior leaders, project teams, and key stakeholders to ensure effective communication throughout the transformation process.
• Advised the Senior Leadership Team, ensuring alignment and buy-in for the communications strategy.
• Fostered a culture of collaboration and transparency, ensuring engagement and alignment across all levels of the business.
• Provided oversight of risk management and ensured appropriate measures were in place to mitigate potential impacts on business continuity, in addition to comms support for the BCP Programme.
• Delivered regular updates to the Head of Transformation Programme Delivery, ensuring that communication plans are accurate and of high quality, with milestones, risks, achievements, and opportunities clearly defined.
• Cultivated a high-performance culture within the delivery team, encouraging accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Supported the development of change engagement champions, promoted knowledge-sharing networks and engagement groups.
• Integrated Compass Group’s culture and values into all communication initiatives, fostering a positive working environment for teams.
• Led initiatives to drive employee engagement and commitment to transformation across all levels of the organisation.
• Ensured the organisation was prepared for cultural and operational shifts accompanying large-scale transformation, focusing on long-term success.

Spearheaded the development, refinement, and execution of the Internal Communications (IC) strategy, transforming it into a more cohesive, engaging, and values-driven framework, aligning it seamlessly with the organisation's business-critical objectives. By collaborating closely with the C-Suite, I played a pivotal role in educating senior leadership on the crucial impact of internal communications, ensuring that all strategic business plans were integrated into the IC agenda.

As the IC lead on major transformation projects, I managed key initiatives such as the group-wide rebranding, the launch of a new vision, mission, and strategy, the introduction of a robust ESG agenda focused on sustainability, and comprehensive reviews of group terms & conditions, compensation, and benefits. Additionally, I was at the helm of communication efforts during three mid-sized M&A projects, navigating complex integrations with precision.

I introduced innovative communication channels while enhancing existing ones to maximise impact, seamlessly blending creativity with clarity. My leadership extended to event management, where I launched initiatives to foster a vibrant company culture, such as group conferences, town halls, and the highly successful AABie Ball.

My collaboration with employees and stakeholders at every level enabled me to curate and advise on effective engagement strategies, establishing myself as the voice of change and continuity across the AAB Group. As a trusted ghostwriter for the CEO, CPO, and COO, I ensured executive communications were consistently on-message and impactful.

Key Achievements:

• Delivered the AAB Group’s Business Strategy across the entire organisation, creating a unified vision and crafting a compelling narrative to support its execution.
• Achieved the highest-ever internal engagement scores during the Group Rebranding Programme, successfully rebranding 10 companies under the AAB banner amidst complex M&A integration. Engagement and readership peaked at an impressive 92%.
• Designed and implemented the first-ever IC governance structure for the group, establishing a sustainable framework for communication excellence.
• Led the design and delivery of the annual AABie Ball event, raising over £100K for charity in June 2024.
• Designed and delivered comprehensive employee engagement and listening strategies, including the redesign of the group employee opinion survey (EOS) and pulse surveys, driving actionable insights to senior leadership and fostering alignment across the business to boost motivation, retention, and satisfaction.
• Designed and implemented robust feedback mechanisms, power-BI backed EOS interfaces, partnering with the People and Culture team, to build a culture of openness, trust, and psychological safety, while ensuring regulatory compliance and tracking key engagement KPIs for continuous improvement.

Through these initiatives, I strengthened the internal communication and employee engagement ecosystem, driving engagement, alignment, and a strong sense of purpose throughout the group.

Bringing you experience from diverse industries, I am truly sector fluid. My most recent contracts include:

The Media Snug, Marketing (2023-24)- Internal Communications Lead

• Partnered with internal communications, design, and strategy teams to generate innovative ideas and achieve client objectives.
• Optimised and edited existing content to align with brand style guides, providing constructive feedback on content ideas and writing.
• Organised and executed events, including open days and business conferences, to enhance interdivisional interactions, from logistics to keynote messaging.
• Acted as IC lead for transformation programme and business-as-usual operations.
• Designed and introduced crises communication procedures.

WKCIC Group, Education (2021-22)- Senior Communications Business Partner

• Worked closely with the C-Suite, providing expert advice on communications and employee/student engagement.
• Led internal communications during the merger of seven independent college groups, forming the second largest college group in the British Isles.
• Developed and coordinated crisis communication plans to address affected parties' needs and repair the brand’s reputation post Covid-19.
• Applied strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills to produce innovative content.
• Assembled and mentored a new communications teams to take IC forward as BAU.

Rohan UK, Retail (2019-20)- Crisis Communications Manager

• Managed crisis communications during the global pandemic amid a Retail Transformation Programme.
• Organised and delivered communications coaching and presentation skills workshops for company leaders and change managers.
• Focused on maintaining employee engagement during national lockdown, ensuring the sales force stayed informed and connected.

Mattel UK, Retail (2015) - Internal Communications and Events Manager

• Designed and delivered the International Barbie™ Summit in Paris, bringing together managers from across the globe.
• Executed high-level regional, national, and international communications with exceptional organisational and event management skills.
• Formulated post-event reports to inform management about success metrics and event performance.
• Conducted in-depth research to produce high-quality, insightful, and engaging written content with International Senior Management Team.

Additional Projects

• Clients:, Waltham Forest College, Anvyl Ltd, BMI, GEI International, Jardine PR, I-Fly, RepairCare London Ltd.

• Led the development of integrated communications plans for seven diverse programs across divisions, effectively aligning them with organisational objectives and driving a significant 66% increase in ESOS.
• Spearheaded seamless communication and integration efforts as Senior Internal Communications Business Partner and Advisor during the high-profile merger of Abbey with Santander.
• Effectively guided a team of communication specialists in delivering high-quality internal communications and optimising the impact of strategic business changes, overseeing more than 200 projects.
• Defined the organisation's brand voice and image through cross-departmental collaborations. Implemented inventive techniques to integrate these elements across all internal communication channels.
• Successfully executed large-scale projects by leveraging strategic business partnerships and implementing effective change management strategies for optimum results.
• Coordinated and directed media coaching initiatives for key spokespeople, fostering a positive brand perception.

• Cultivated strong relationships with media outlets by consistently delivering compelling press releases ahead of product launches.
• Applied SEO techniques during website maintenance to enhance the overall user experience and maximize conversion metrics.
• Designed email newsletters aligning with the communications plan, monitored performance metrics against KPIs, and suggested areas for ongoing enhancement.
• Implemented marketing plans for new product launches, collaborating closely with the product team to meet key milestones and deadlines.
• Established new business partnerships to drive customer acquisition and generate revenue.
• Organised and executed successful marketing events, open houses, and product display shows.
• Crafted fresh, compelling copy to enhance promotional materials.
• Designed and launched effective marketing campaigns that led to substantial sales expansion.