Diane Scott

Diane Scott

Global Communications Director at Spark44
London, United Kingdom

About me

I am an experienced and strategic chief communications officer and marketing leader.

Wherever I am, whatever I’m doing, I bring energy, strategic insight and a focus on results. I apply the core leadership, brand, marketing and communications skills honed through my experience in FinTech, financial services, health education and advertising, as well as an MBA certificate from the LSE, to transform businesses and deliver new growth opportunities.

I love the challenge of understanding the complex, defining how marketing and communications can support the business to achieve its aims as well as building and motivating best in class teams to deliver impactful and engaging campaigns.

I develop a deep understanding of the business, based on the interrogation of research and data, as well as influential relationships with internal and external stakeholders. This enables me to provide insights that underpin commercial decision-making and to lead the development and delivery of communications and marketing strategies that create tangible business value.

I am a strong advocate for best practice and innovation, with a reputation for building high performing team cultures and for nurturing talent.

I have particular expertise in: high growth businesses, driving the innovation and transformation agenda, multinational growth, business development, acquisitions and mergers and reputation management.

I am currently setting up the global communications function for Spark44 - a unique advertising agency set up as a joint venture with Jaguar Landrover. Spark44 are now looking to raise their profile in order to expand and set up joint ventures with new, similarly ambitious clients.

I am also using my skills to help the charity Respect UK put an end to domestic abuse by joining their Board of Trustees.

Sector Experience

Positions

Global Communications Director reporting to CEO
London, United Kingdom
October 2018 - Present (6 years 1 month)
Reporting to the CEO, and working with the leadership team of this unique global advertising agency, I am leading a short-term project to:
- define how communications can best support the achievement of Spark44's ambitious growth strategy and goals
- develop an effective communications strategy and narrative
- set up the global communications function to deliver that strategy
Chief Communications Officer Europe - reporting to CEO Europe
VISA
United Kingdom
June 2016 - December 2016 (6 months)
Part of the European Executive Team, accountable for leading the European communications division (24 people, 30 agencies and significant budgets).

Responsible for: setting the new communications strategy in alignment with the gl... See more

Director of Media & Corporate Affairs - reporting to Chief Communications Officer Europe
VISA
United Kingdom
2014 - 2016 (2 years)
Accountable for the communication division’s vision, strategy and plan across the European region and for overseeing the implementation of pan-European and national PR and public affairs plans. Also accountable for developing and managing the policy and issues function to ensure “no surprises”, minimise reputation damage and build Visa Europe’s reputati... See more

VP Corporate Communications - Reputation Management, CSR, Internal Comms reporting CCO
VISA
United Kingdom
2010 - 2014 (4 years)

Various Marketing, Brand and Communications Leadership positions, incl. promotion to VP in 1998
VISA
United Kingdom
1994 - 2010 (16 years)
I joined Visa as an advertising manager, achieved regular promotion and moved around the business to broaden my marketing, communications and business experience. I led the set up of new units (eg the first strategy team) and was part of teams setting up new functions (eg VisaNet/processing marketing team and new business development unit). I was promoted to Vice President in 1998 and in 2002, promoted to head up the Brand Management team across Europe (25 people, 14 markets and significant budget). I joined the corporate communications team in 2009, where I took on additional responsibilities across the communications team, leading to the director of media & corporate affairs and Chief Communications Officer role.

Responsibilities included: corporate communications, PR, public affairs, issues/crisis management, reputation management, internal communications, digital media, thought leadership, B2B and B2C communications, brand management, advertising, promotions, market research, marketing planning and new business development

Education

MBA Certificate Grade93%

2017 - 2018 (1 year)

Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Biochemistry Grade2i

1987 - 1990 (3 years)

Other professional activities

Respect UK

Board Trustee and member of Influence Committee
June 2018 - Present (6 years 5 months)
To reduce the number of victims of domestic abuse, we must work with the cause of the problem — the perpetrators. To end domestic abuse, we have to challenge perpetrators and support male victims of domestic violence as well as address young people’s violence in close relationships Respect is the UK membership organisation for work with domestic violence perpetrators, male victims of domestic violence and young people’s violence in close relationships

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