LAIN's Communications Champions meet for the first time in person on iconic work of art to inspire collaboration

Communications Champions convened for the first time, in-person, on 27 June 2024 to explore collaborative communications opportunities and take first hand advice from their trailblazing counterparts in Leeds Anchor Network.  

The group chose an inspirational setting to convene for the first time in person, on The Steps, a 7.3m tall architectural structure at the entrance to University of London’s Senate House library. The unique artwork installation is a “symbol of dynamism and potential” and embodies the ambitions of the newly established group of communications champions.   

LAIN’s communications champions bring together communications leads from LAIN’s member organisations and are pivotal in showcasing LAIN’s impact through strong and compelling storytelling.

Leeds Anchor Network was formed in 2018, three years before LAIN, bringing together Leeds’ biggest employers to focus on areas where they could make a real difference to improving the health and wellbeing of people in Leeds and tackle social inequalities.  

London’s Network, convened by the Mayor of London, quickly followed suit in 2021 during the early onset of the covid pandemic, harnessing the ‘anchor philosophy’ to bring about social economic change for the benefit of all Londoners, but particularly to focus on providing opportunities for the most disadvantaged people in our society.   

Welcoming Tracy Commons, Assistant Director of External Relations from Leeds Beckett University and Cat Lindley, Marketing and Communications Business Partner from Leeds City Council, to London was an exciting moment for LAIN’s communications champions to gain an insight into the challenges and successes of developing a multi-industry coordinated, communications strategy.  

LAIN’s communications champions put their questions to Tracy and Cat during an interactive Q&A session. They also heard from Jamilla Hinds-Brough, Head of Delivery in the Mayor’s office the high rate of importance that the Mayor of London has placed on LAIN’s work and future potential impact on creating a fairer, greener, more prosperous London.

In less than three years, LAIN has already made tangible impact on London’s communities - £1.75bn spent with London’s small and medium sized businesses, 2.1m tonnes of carbon saved, 87,000 people working for a Good Work Standard employer and 4,000 apprentices supported in their careers.

If you’re interested in becoming a communications champion for your organisation please email us at anchors@london.gov.uk