Rob Howell - Interim Internal Communications Manager, NATS

I am currently working in Hampshire as an Interim Internal Communications Manager at NATS for the company’s Prestwick centre. I also manage communications for NATS’ Engineering and Programmes division, and its Olympic projects.

Following a career in financial services, I began my interim management career in 2005. Prior to joining NATS, I completed an assignment at BAA Gatwick as Interim Channels Manager.

At BAA Gatwick I was responsible for the management of all the internal communications channels serving
Gatwick’s 2,700 staff. I arrived at a time of massive change for BAA and particularly for Gatwick. During my time there Gatwick was put up for sale following the Competition Commission’s review and the airport celebrated its 50th birthday. Both these events gave me an opportunity to demonstrate the value of effective
internal communications.

Since joining NATS the opportunities have continued. In this role I get to combine my experience in internal
communications with my writing and channels
management background.

I’ve increased readership of the Prestwick homepage
considerably, and used a variety of channels to push up participation in the annual staff survey by around 15%. We’re currently revamping the centre’s whole intranet presence too, with direct input from operational staff (something of a challenge when those staff work a strict shift roster, and have no direct access to the intranet).

I’ve also been fortunate to work closely with the interim management team at VMA Group over the past six years and they have given me the opportunity to work in a variety of roles; in addition to Gatwick and NATS I have also been placed at the National Trust. I suppose that nicely sums up the life of an interim manager - it can be stately homes and guided walks one month and lost luggage and bad weather the next!

Wherever you’re assigned, if you’re going to make a career out of interim management you have to have a truly flexible way of working. You need to react quickly and efficiently to the needs of your client, and bring all the experience and insight you have gained in other roles to bear. In return the variety can be endless and the work both challenging and exciting. A career in interim management offers work satisfaction, coupled with a flexibility that puts you in the driving seat of your career.