In this episode of Strategy, Story & Stakeholders, Max Forsyth sits down with Sophie Timms, Corporate Affairs Director at Kier Group. With over 25 years of experience across financial services and infrastructure, Sophie has a unique perspective on what it takes for communications leaders to move beyond being "note-takers" to becoming strategic drivers at the Exco table.

Sophie shares the lessons learned from Kier’s recent CEO and CFO transitions, the "test and learn" approach she used to build her own commercial acumen, and why the construction industry needs to stop talking about "bricks" and start talking about "outcomes". We also explore the practicalities of engaging a dispersed five-generation workforce and why an endurance mindset is essential for navigating the 24/7 news cycle.

Strategy, Story & Stakeholders is the podcast for senior leaders in comms and corporate affairs. Hosted by Max Forsyth, Managing Director & Founder of Comms Search and Selection, he interviews a leading figure from the communications industry on how they have successfully communicated strategy and engaged stakeholders.

Join the Comms Search Community for Early Access to Episodes, Live Forums & Events: https://community.commssearch.com/checkout/founders-tier

Website: commssearch.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most healthcare brands struggle to tell a cohesive story that encompasses complex services and stakeholder trust — CVS Health is transforming that challenge into a strategic advantage. In this episode, Brian Henry, SVP and Chief Communications Officer at CVS Health, reveals how the company is shifting perceptions from neighborhood pharmacy to a comprehensive, trusted health tech powerhouse with a landmark $20 billion modernization plan.

This episode is perfect for healthcare communicators, health tech innovators, and corporate storytellers eager to learn how a Fortune 10 company is redefining trust and engagement in a complex industry. Brian’s insights into transparency, impact, and leadership vulnerability offer invaluable lessons for anyone looking to elevate their organization’s narrative — and unlock new opportunities amid rapid technological change.

Strategy, Story & Stakeholders is the podcast for senior leaders in comms and corporate affairs. Hosted by Max Forsyth, Managing Director & Founder of Comms Search and Selection, he interviews a leading figure from the communications industry on how they have successfully communicated strategy and engaged stakeholders.

Join the Comms Search Community for Early Access to Episodes, Live Forums & Events: https://community.commssearch.com/checkout/founders-tier

Website: commssearch.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you build a multi-billion dollar financial infrastructure in a sector often dismissed as "the Wild West"?

For Katie Evans, Chief Business Development and Communications Officer at Swarm, the answer lies in three things: regulation, radical simplicity, and the "Power of Three."

In this episode, Katie joins Max Forsyth to discuss Swarm’s strategic evolution and its recent acquisition by Inveniam. We step away from the "crypto-bro" hype to explore the actual mechanics of Real-World Asset (RWA) tokenization—using everything from Apple stocks to designer shoes as verifiable digital collateral.

Key discussion points include:

• The Transition from TradFi to DeFi: Lessons from the London Metal Exchange and eToro.

• Building Credibility: Why Swarm chose to "steep its story in regulation" to attract institutional fiduciaries.

• The Power of Analogy: Using the "Louboutin Ledger" to make complex financial structures tangible for investors.

• The Agentic Shift: Preparing financial markets for a future where AI agents, not just humans, manage and rebalance portfolios.

• The Future of PR: Why engaging with the press is more critical than ever in the age of LLMs.

Strategy, Story & Stakeholders is the podcast for senior leaders in comms and corporate affairs. Hosted by Max Forsyth, Managing Director & Founder of Comms Search and Selection, he interviews a leading figure from the communications industry on how they have successfully communicated strategy and engaged stakeholders.

Join the Comms Search Community for Early Access to Episodes, Live Forums & Events: https://community.commssearch.com/checkout/founders-tier

Website: commssearch.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.