About us

Louise Neilan, Thurrock Council

Chair

Louise Neilan has recently completed her first year as Assistant Director for Communications and Engagement at Thurrock Council. Before that she worked at Southwark Council for eleven years, first as Media Manager, and then as Head of Communications. Previously she worked at the Audit Commission for seven years, having started her local government career in west London, first at Ealing, and then at Hammersmith and Fulham. She has presented widely on learnings from crises having supported communities through a number of difficult events, including the London Bridge and Borough terror attacks in 2017. Louise was the first Chair of the London Councils Heads of Communications network, and believes passionately in the power of collaboration and networks to solve problems and support colleagues.

Alix Macfarlane, Slough Borough Council

Vice Chair

After three years in the LGcomms chair role and a year as National Secretary, I’m looking forward to continuing to build on our commitment to create an inclusive future for public sector communications as one of the organisation’s Vice Chairs.

LGcomms has a key role to play in helping navigate the current times. It’s a privilege to be part of the leadership team and to work alongside some of the best professionals in our industry in our executive committee, our members, and our partners.

I’ve been a member of the LGcomms executive committee for more than six years, joining the team after completing the LGcomms Future Leaders programme. The benefits of LGcomms are far reaching across all our activities, it’s an excellent organisation to be part of. I am very proud to be at the forefront of shaping the way forward with a collaborative and innovative approach.

I moved into the rewarding world of public sector communications after starting my career in print journalism. My experience in local government spans more than a decade. I’ve held senior communications roles in busy unitary authorities, a London Borough a large county council and a council under Government intervention.

Andrew Hadfield-Ames

Vice Chair

Andrew is Head of Communications & Engagement at Southend City Council

He has been on LGcomms Exec Committee for many years and previously served as National Secretary. He has helped organise several seminars, written blogs and co-ordinated a White Paper on the future of external channels.

Having worked in public sector communications since 2006, Andrew has worked for a number of local councils, health, police and rail organisations in a variety of senior positions.

Kerry Middleton, Oxfordshire County Council

Vice Chair

Kerry is Head of Communications, Marketing and Engagement at Oxfordshire County Council and has more than 25 years’ experience across local government, higher education and the private sector. She has held senior communications roles at Tower Hamlets, Kingston and Surrey councils and currently leads corporate communications, marketing, digital, media, consultation and engagement at Oxfordshire County Council.

Kerry is passionate about the value of collaboration and strong professional networks, particularly as local government navigates significant change. She is communications lead for Oxfordshire and West Berkshire local government reorganisation and joint communications lead for devolution in the Thames Valley and has led communications through major incidents and complex partnership programmes.

Having served on the LGcomms Executive Committee and helped shape academy over the past three years, Kerry is delighted to step up as Vice Chair. As an LGcomms Future Leaders mentor, she is particularly keen to support the next generation of communications leaders, strengthen regional networks and help LGcomms continue to grow its reach, membership and professional offer. She looks forward to help ensure it continues to be a strong voice for local government communications.

Jeni Harvey, Rochdale Boroughwide Housing

Vice Chair

Jeni is Director of Marketing and Communications at Rochdale Boroughwide Housing and, prior to that, was Head of Communications and Research at Oldham Council.

With more than two decades’ experience across communications, marketing and journalism, Jeni started her career on newspapers in Greater Manchester, before spending five years as senior reporter at the Yorkshire Post.

Since moving into Communications, Jeni has worked across the spectrum of public sector organisations, including in local authorities, policing and a Combined Authority, as well as teaching on undergraduate and Masters journalism and PR courses at the University of Sheffield.

Jeni also completed a MSc in Strategic Public Relations in 2021, winning the Sam Black prize for best student in her cohort. Outside of work, she is a keen runner and has completed several marathons.

Michael Stringer, Surrey County Council

National Secretary

Having worked in local government communications since 2014 and completed the Future Leaders programme in 2018/19, I’m passionate about helping our profession be the very best it can be. I’m delighted to work alongside other members of the LGcomms Executive Committee to build networks, share best practice, grow our membership and drive improvement across the public sector.

I started my career as a newspaper journalist before working in Parliament and then heading into the world of local government, first in a London Borough and now in a County Council, also with responsibility for the Fire Service.

Local government is where real stuff gets done, across a whole range of services and issues. There are many brilliant people working in communications across the sector, and LGcomms plays an important role in bringing those together, highlighting the great work being done, and supporting individuals and teams across the country.

Danni Clayton, Leeds City Council

Treasurer

As a former Future Leader I benefited from LGcomms, not just personally and professionally, but in bringing that back to the team and council in Leeds where I’ve worked in a senior role for the past 13 years and jointly led the team for the past five years. Since I joined the Exec six years ago I’ve supported further cohorts through leading on the programme as organiser and mentor, and helped to shape and deliver Academy; bringing together communications professionals at all levels from across the country to network, share experiences, learn from each other and develop our skills on the most important and pressing issues facing us all. Now, more than ever, those opportunities to collaborate, progress, and strengthen relationships with each other are vital.

After four years as Vice Chair I’m moving into the position of Treasurer, and look forward to working alongside Alix, Andy, Eddie, Mike, Jeni and Andrew in my new role on the Senior Exec Committee.

I’m keen for us to continue to expand and grow our membership and influence, further develop our offer for our members, reflect and represent the diversity of our industry, and lead and champion excellent communications in local government and the public sector.