Conscious Communications is a dynamic PR agency known for creating impactful communications strategies that build strong brands, increase awareness, protect reputations and enhance customer engagement.
With extensive industry knowledge and strategic media communications, the agency puts clients at the forefront of their markets, crafting compelling narratives that resonate and influence behavior.
Conscious Communications’ team of 17 dedicated professionals offers a unique blend of high-impact public relations, marketing communications, event planning and design services. Their client base spans education, technology, energy, development, non-profits and charities.
The agency prides itself on its core philosophy of “doing well by doing good,” prioritizing the societal impact of its work over mere profitability. This ethical approach combines strategic expertise with creativity, resulting in values-based practices that foster professional and personal development, social responsibility, and community engagement.
We play a major role in creating social change; from our commitment to developing ourselves professionally and personally, to our volunteer work.
What is the inspiration behind conscious communication?
Conscious Communications was founded on our passion for doing things differently: adding real value, delivering ROI to our clients without compromising ethics and using profits to give back to the community.
The company is based on the principles of conscious business, meaning that it is not only what we do that matters, but also how the team does it. Our open and transparent approach ensures that we make clear and informed decisions for our customers, partners, business, people and the environment.
Who do you admire?
Any business owner or leader is riding the wave of the current post-pandemic economic climate. Running a business can be tough, and it’s how you navigate those challenges and stay on track for growth that makes a business stand out. Hearing leaders talk about how they grew their businesses, often starting in their kitchens à la Julie Dean (Cambridge Satchel Company) or Ella Mills (Deliciously Ella), and overcoming obstacles, whether within their control or beyond, is always a valuable learning experience.
I’m also a huge advocate for profiling working families, especially women in leadership roles. You’d think that in 2024 we wouldn’t have to break the cycle of gender roles that society has historically imposed, but unfortunately here we are. I’m a mother of two young boys and I hope they grow up and become empowered by seeing their mom running a small business!
Looking back, is there anything you would have done differently?
Our culture is very important to us; sometimes we didn’t get it right in the hiring process, so I would take longer to hire, and make absolutely sure people were aligned with our company values and vision, no matter how urgent the need for a position was.
What defines your approach to business?
Our goal when we founded the agency in 2012 was to be a force for good and use our public relations expertise to achieve positive social impact, by addressing inequalities, creating opportunities, and helping drive social mobility locally and in the wider world.
By putting corporate social responsibility and sustainable development at the heart of our business, we set an example and show others how any business can thrive, while making a positive impact on the lives of others and the environment. Our work, actions and behaviours act as a ‘magnet’, attracting the types of clients we dream of working with and the talented employees we need on our team.
As an independent service company, we are not a company that attracts large external investments for rapid growth. Since our founding in 2012, Conscious Communications has grown steadily and organically, despite facing a global pandemic. Our growth is entirely dependent on the hard work, expertise and dedication of our team. We intend to continue to invest all of our profits in our employees, our charitable activities and the local community, while donating our most valuable commodity – our time – to charitable causes and community work with the underprivileged.
We have established and registered a charity (FXP Festival) In addition to a community interest company (Cambridge 2030), both of which aim to promote social mobility and improve the quality of life for people in Cambridge, which in turn benefits the economy and other businesses in and around the city.
In January 2024, we were awarded Platinum certification by Investors in People, the highest level of accreditation awarded by the UK’s leading accreditation body for improving business through people management in the UK. We sought to achieve Investors in People’s accreditation after achieving Gold accreditation for a second time in 2021. Our commitment to our people, our agency culture and our local community is at the heart of our business. From the day we started Conscious Communications, we wanted to create a different, values-driven agency; thinking about the impact our work will have on others and creating a culture that empowers its people.
In May 2023, we became a Certified B Corporation (B Corp), reinforcing our commitment to higher business standards that closely align with our mission to be a force for good. B Corp certification addresses the full range of our operations and covers five key impact areas of governance, workers, community, environment, and customers. To complement certification, we have legally embedded our commitment to purpose beyond profit in our corporate bylaws. From our supply chain to our office operations, we carefully consider the social and environmental impact of everything we do and actively seek opportunities to support local communities, promote diversity, and inclusion. B Corp certification is an endorsement that our business has been, is, and will continue to do good by doing good.
What advice would you give to someone who is just starting out?
Ask for feedback from people around you about your business plans and ambitions and stick to your proposal.