'We’re raising the bar for what government comms can look like'

A government communications manager explains how he turns a complex subject into something that makes people pause, read, and think ‘this was actually made with me in mind.’

Name: Paul Quinn
Job title and company: Cross government communications manager
Location: Liverpool
Time in PR: Three years

What does your current role involve?
Put simply, I work in government communications, but not the press office, shouting into a megaphone style. My focus is internal engagement across the Operational Delivery Profession (ODP), supporting the 290,000 colleagues who deliver vital services across the UK. I lead on strategy, digital campaigns, storytelling, and making comms human. Whether it’s promoting a new mentoring platform like LISTR, reshaping our Instagram tone, or creating memes that somehow both meet accessibility standards and make people laugh, I’m probably behind it.

What do you love most about working in public relations?
The creativity. I love taking something complex or dry and turning it into something that makes people pause, read, and think ‘this was actually made with me in mind.’ I get to blend strategy with storytelling, and when the two meet, you get real impact. Plus, I like to think we’re raising the bar for what government comms can look like.

What's been the highlight of your career so far?
Launching the new engagement strategy for ODP was a real milestone, 90 days of high-impact, low-cost activities designed to reconnect our people with the profession. From roadmaps to storyboards, Instagram reels to event comms, we’ve brought energy to platforms that were starting to feel stale. I also led the rebrand of our internal assets to feel more relatable, using real language, colleague faces, and a tone that makes people feel seen.

How long have you been a CIPR member and what made you join?
I’ve been a member of the CIPR for just a few short months. Awareness was created via an internal communications course run for CIPR via Nesma, a training organisation for communications professionals. Having spoken to colleagues about the CIPR I started to learn the importance of continuous learning and development through a connected community. I read what the CIPR has done in achieving an identified professional status, and it really connected with me. I wanted to part of something that also connected with others.

How does the CIPR support your career?
Being part of the CIPR gives my work proper credibility, it shows I know my stuff, and that I’m serious about doing comms well (not just winging it with a Canva template and a prayer). It keeps me sharp too; whether I’m brushing up on strategy models like Oasis, exploring new trends, or swapping ideas with other internal comms nerds through CIPR Inside. It’s a solid way to grow, stay relevant, and keep pushing things forward across government, with a bit of creative flair thrown in.

Best piece of career advice you’ve been given?
Don’t shy away from big ideas, even if they feel impossible at first. That’s stuck with me, maybe a little too well. I’m the kind of person who’s handed a Kanban board and comes back with a Roman empire. I naturally go from 0 to 100 when I’m excited about something, which can be brilliant for ambition and creativity, but occasionally I need someone to remind me it’s okay to build things in phases, not overnight. Still, I’d rather have to be reined in than pushed forward, and that energy has helped me deliver some of my proudest work.

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'We’re raising the bar for what government comms can look like'

Find out more about joining the CIPR

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