Nicola Watson

Nicola is a passionate communications leader with more than 15 years of experience delivering impactful communications campaigns across a number of industries. She has experience in supporting senior leaders to improve their own communication style to ensure greater engagement from employees. Her expertise includes executive communications, change management, DEI and crisis communications; internal communications; employee engagement; content strategy; culture; social media; stakeholder management, town hall and event management.

Nicola currently leads the EMEA internal communications function for global investments company, BNY Mellon, and is responsible for the planning and execution of the global comms strategy to circa 15,000 employees across the EMEA and International regions.

Prior to joining BNY Mellon Nicola oversaw internal and external communications for Manchester transport operator, Metrolink, during a time which saw the system treble in size and employee headcount double in less than five years. Nicola has also held previously worked in-agency for global communications group, Havas, working across a range of B2B and B2C clients including Asda, Pets at Home and Thomas Cook.

Nicola has been Highly Commended by the Institute of Internal Communications (IOIC) in the category of Best Corporate Internal Comms Manager and holds a diploma in Advanced Internal Comms from the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR).