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Claire WhitmarshCW

Claire Whitmarsh

Communications and Engagement Partner

£650/day
Portsmouth, GB
15+ years

Average response time: 1 hour

About Claire

Helping organisations connect strategy, story, and people through impactful internal and external communications.

With over 20 years’ experience leading global communications, brand, and engagement strategies, I partner with senior teams to design and deliver programmes that drive reputation, alignment, and measurable impact. My expertise spans executive and internal communications, change and transformation strategy, and purpose-driven storytelling that connects people to vision and results.

I’ve led communications for major organisational transformations and global go-to-market strategies, working with cross-functional teams across Europe and beyond. Whether shaping executive narratives, leading employee engagement through change, or developing creative campaigns that shift perception, I combine strategic insight with operational excellence to deliver outcomes that matter.

Clients value my ability to translate complexity into clarity, connect strategy to story, and bring energy and precision to every project. I’m equally at home advising C-suite leaders as I am rolling up my sleeves to deliver exceptional content and engagement.
  • English

    Native or bilingual

Can work on-site
Portsmouth (up to 50km)

Experience

  • Sanofi
    Global Communication & Go-To-Market Lead
    HUMAN RESOURCES
    October 2023 - October 2025 (2 years)
    Reading, United Kingdom
    Driving global communications and go-to-market strategy for Sanofi's skills-based organizational transformation. Accountable for designing and executing strategic and operational plans that position new internal products and services to the right audiences, at the right time, across multiple channels and markets.

    Key achievements and responsibilities:
    • Lead cross-functional alignment between consulting, learning, and people analytics teams to deliver a compelling engagement plan, resulting in a 50% increase in awareness and understanding of the transformation.
    • Served as global change and communication lead for the transformation initiative, crafting compelling storytelling and content which resulted in 90% of people accessing the new tool.
    • Managed global budgets, timelines, and resources to ensure efficient delivery and measurable business impact.
    • Measured and optimized communication effectiveness through data-driven insights ensuring continuous improvement in engagement and outcomes.
    Change Communication Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy Employee Engagement Cross-functional Collaboration Storytelling
  • Sanofi
    Head of Corporate Communications & CSR, UK/IE
    PHARMACEUTICALS INDUSTRY
    May 2022 - October 2023 (1 year and 5 months)
    Reading, United Kingdom
    Developed and led corporate communications and CSR strategies that enhanced reputation, strengthened stakeholder relationships, and increased internal engagement. responsibilities:

    Designed and delivered a comprehensive communications programme encompassing media relations, digital and social media engagement, executive visibility, and issues management.

    Implemented a proactive media strategy increasing positive media coverage by 20%, positioning Sanofi as a leading voice in the pharmaceutical industry.

    Oversaw all CSR initiatives to align with corporate values and maximize community impact.

    Managed a team of three and the full communications budget.
    Media Relations Executive Advisory Communication strategy Reputation Management social media strategy
  • Sanofi
    Head of Communications, Specialty Care
    PHARMACEUTICALS INDUSTRY
    October 2019 - May 2022 (2 years and 7 months)
    Reading, United Kingdom
    Led communications for Sanofi’s Specialty Care portfolio, across rare diseases, oncology, dermatology, respiratory, neurology, and rare blood disorders.

    Key achievements and responsibilities:
    • Oversaw internal and external communications strategy and execution.
    • Managed a team of two and collaborated with cross-functional brand teams and senior leadership.
    • Delivered strategic counsel to drive impactful programming and manage sensitive issues.
    • Directed communications for multiple successful product launches and reimbursement milestones, generating extensive national and trade media coverage.
    • Developed and launched Sanofi's first UK/IE disease awareness Facebook page for atopic dermatitis, achieving over 6K followers within six months (organic only).
    • Led the Social Media Workstream of the Omnichannel Transversal Project, embedding social strategy into business operations and producing the first UK/IE Social Media Playbook.
    • Managed all social media and disease awareness campaigns, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and compliance standards.
    Product Launch Strategy social media strategy Media Relations Team Leadership Communication strategy

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Education

  • HND Design Communication
    Solent University
    1994
    The course covered everything from art history, graphic design, product development, law, advertising, marketing and public relations.

Skill set

Categories