Opening Doors to the Next Generation

The Worshipful Company of Communicators exists to support, celebrate, and advance the communications profession. One of the ways we do this is by inspiring and connecting the next generation of talent with experienced professionals from across the industry.

On Wednesday 12^th November, we brought that mission to life at Westminster Cathedral Hall with our inaugural Communications Careers Fair, a pilot event, delivered in partnership with the Taylor Bennett Foundation, designed to give young people an insight into careers in communications.

Over 90 attendees aged 18+ joined the fair to meet experienced communicators, recruiters, and mentors. It included a panel, career circles, and one-to-one sessions, giving young people practical advice, inspiration, and real-world insights into the industry.

Key takeaways from the panel included: 

• Ronke Lawal: Make space for yourself. Flexibility is important, but being present in the right rooms is essential.

• James Hotson: Find opportunities within opportunities. His journey from a temp admin role into comms shows that being in the room allows you to demonstrate value.

• Koray Camgöz: Lean into your passions. Let employers see what drives you and what makes you unique.

• Rochelle Gayle: Show up with curiosity, enthusiasm, and intrigue. Communicate transferable skills clearly and confidently.

Career Circles and Workshops

Interactive career circles were a highlight:

• Gavin Ellwood led discussions on “Where do I begin?”, offering practical tips for approaching agencies and recruiters when looking for jobs in communications.

• Simon Ball explored “Being a creative in comms”, focusing on photography, videography, content creation, and the more creative side of communications.

• Andrea Tola Ilaka shared insights on “Being freelance”, highlighting how to find freelance opportunities and build a portfolio career in the industry.

• These sessions allowed attendees to ask candid questions, explore different career paths, and gain confidence in navigating their next steps.

One-to-One Mentoring

The one-to-one sessions were hugely popular, with queues forming outside the room!

Professionals including Sarah Wait-Sillett, Madeleine Weightman, Henry Heming MCIPR MSc, Christopher Noade, Ed Burnand, Melissa Bock, Fahima Haibe and Sameena Thompson provided personal guidance, career advice, and encouragement.

Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, showing the value of connecting young people with industry mentors.

Closing Reflections

The session ended with a keynote from James Gurling OBE, Chairman of MHP Group and Past Master. He delivered a masterclass in public affairs and PR, demonstrating how to navigate today’s media landscape which has moved from hierarchical to earned media.

Thank You to Our Founding Partners

We are grateful for the support of Ellwood Atfield, Ketchum, and The Worshipful Company of Communicators Trust, whose support made this event a reality.

Together, we created a space for young people to see themselves in communications - a space to learn, grow, and be inspired. We hope this pilot marks the beginning of a regular feature on the Company’s calendar.