Sarah Cheetham

INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

2015-present | GFT Financial Ltd

My current responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Own and manage all UK internal communications, ensuring messages are clear, engaging, and aligned with company values, strategy and mission
• Manage and develop communication channels, including SharePoint and Teams
• Partner with senior leadership to shape and deliver key messages, including business updates, strategic priorities, and engagement initiatives
• Analysis of communication effectiveness through surveys, engagement tracking, and feedback to improve and inform future campaigns
• Reviewing content created by employees and sharing across channels
• Organisation of employee events (virtual and in person), incl. business updates, Office Days, ‘Ask me anything’ sessions, Town Halls, annual awards and summer/Christmas events
• Creation, management and reporting of employee engagement surveys and pulse checks
• Building and managing internal campaigns focused on employee experience, recognition, and wellbeing
• Working with global colleagues on company-wide campaigns / initiatives
• Involvement in CSR/ESG/DEI initiatives, campaigns and reporting, including being a member of our Women@GFT community
• Founding member of our Employee Engagement Forum
• Previously held line manager responsibilities for the Internal Communications Advisor until they left company (role not replaced)

PRODUCT MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS EXECUTIVE

2006-2015 | Olympus Cameras (now known as OM Digital Solutions)

Marketing and communication (external) of the Olympus consumer imaging product portfolio.

• Writing and distributing press releases to specialist consumer and national press (print and digital)
• Assisting the publishers of the monthly digital Olympus Magazine in collating the content, editing and proofreading it
• Writing and proofing articles for quarterly internal magazine
• Working with the European web team to ensure marketing campaigns and product details are correct on both the company website and internal system
• Proofreading sales literature and releases from the German head office to ensure that the English translations are correct
• Instrumental in the set-up of, compiling content for and the maintenance of Olympus’ social media presence. This was then taken over by a social media agency due to the increase in activity both from Olympus and its followers
• Working closely with the PEN Product Manager on national campaigns across off and online media and in retail outlets to increase visibility of the product line to female market, esp. influencers
• Internal communication of new products and staff promotions via email and/or company-wide poster campaigns
• Liaising with external designers on promotional and advertising communications to ensure they adhere to brand guidelines
• Working with private individuals, bloggers/influencers and organisations on sponsorships, support and promotional activities in return for brand coverage
• Event organisation from small in-store days to larger exhibitions
• Keeping retailers (bricks & mortar & online), such as Currys, John Lewis, Amazon and smaller independent stores up to date with product information and promotional activity
• Training and management of departmental intern

MARKETING ASSISTANT & PA

2002-2002 | DPS Software (now part of the Access Group)

I worked at DPS Software for just over three years, during which time I was able to develop my marketing skills and knowledge further.

My daily activities included event organisation, writing press releases, pulling together content for the company newsletter, design work and direct marketing to the legal sector. I also undertook PA duties for the Managing Director.

My time at DPS taught me many of the fundamentals of marketing and communications, which I took to future jobs and developed further.