Jean Burke
I began my career in consumer marketing working for Rank Hovis McDougall in new product development on brands such as McDougalls and Sharwoods. My interest in internal communications took root whilst at Thomas Cook and then Hertz UK - working on new business initiatives in both of these organisations drove home the importance of employees as brand ambassadors and communication as a fundamental part of the change process.
In 2003 I joined GE Consumer Finance and led the internal communications and corporate responsibility teams during the OFT inquiry into store cards, the global rebrand to GE Money and the launch of the FSA’s Treating Customers Fairly programme. My work included an overhaul of internal communications and CSR strategies, major cultural change programmes, coaching leadership teams and stakeholder engagement amongst government, consumer groups and industry bodies.
In 2007 I left GE to work independently. Since then I have undertaken employee communications and CSR projects for Deutsche Bank, Barclays and Pfeg. I also worked as a coach with The Mind Gym supporting clients such as Accenture, Barclays, and Ernst & Young.
I am Irish and live in west London with my partner. I have a Masters in Business Studies from University College Dublin. In my spare time I like to indulge my passion for sailing. Having been a keen racer and competed in the Fastnet race in 2005 I have now seen the light and prefer to adopt a more leisurely approach seeking out the gourmet delights of the British, French and Spanish coasts.
