Case study: Creating a new corporate affairs function

Background

The Police Digital Service has grown exponentially in recent years, expanding from being a small organisation employing around 30 people to employing closer to 300 in just three short years.

Recognised for doing critical work on behalf of the policing community, PDS continues to expand its workforce and increase its capabilities to support UK policing in an increasingly complex and ever-changing digital and technological landscape.

The Brief

In March 2023, the Police Digital Service commissioned me with a project to conduct an independent review of the organisation's communications capabilities and to provide a report on status, observations, and recommendations. 

Approach

The review was split into six stages. the first five stages focused on fact-finding, assessing multiple areas under five overarching themes: Leadership and Governance, People and Strategy, Service and Scope, Direction and Delivery, and Outputs and Performance. The final stage focused on analysis and report writing.

Methodology

27 key internal stakeholders from across the organisation participated in 1-2-1 discussions via a series of Teams calls. 106 sessions were conducted exploring 53 topics relating to 20 areas under the five overarching themes. A cross-section of people ensured that all seniority levels and directorates were engaged in the process, including communicators.

Outputs

A 60-page comprehensive report containing 82 recommendations was provided to the senior leadership team before later being shared with all professional communicators. The findings and recommendations were discussed and next steps agreed.

Next steps

The Police Digital Service supported the recommendations within the report and commissioned a further assignment to develop an implementation Delivery Plan and work with the business to lead a restructure and recruitment process to get the structure in place, writing new role profiles and getting the right people in the right roles to meet the needs of internal and external stakeholders. 

Outcome

A new Corporate Affairs function was established incorporating a structure that can be scalable and flexible to accommodate changing demand. The new function comprised four teams:

• Strategic and change communications
• Internal communications and engagement
• Corporate communications and public affairs
• Events and brand partnerships

Client's verdict

Ian Bell, Chief Executive Officer at the Police Digital Service said: "Andrea, thanks for all you've done. Your independent perspective has added real value. From reviewing our communications capabilities to getting the right structure and expertise in place, you’ve helped to strengthen our ability to meet the growing needs of PDS both now and in the future."