Grace Rowley
Head of Fundraising and Communications at Peace Direct- Claim this Profile
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Bio
Grant Hill-Cawthorne
I worked with Grace from 2018 to 2022, when I was first Head of POST and then Director of Research. Within both jobs we were undertaking some significant change management. Grace adeptly ensured that the proposed changes were effectively communicated and was instrumental in co-designing aspects of the editorial model. I was a fellow management board member alongside Grace, who always brought a common-sense approach to the table and helped us deliver messages during particularly trying times. I worked with Grace to compose messages throughout the COVID pandemic to R&I colleagues - translating what was coming through from central communications to the nuance of the Library and POST. Grace can very quickly formulate key messages and speeches, producing very clear messaging at speed. Finally, and most significantly, Grace created the R&I Communications team from scratch, successfully securing resource and identifying where we could do better in our external and internal communications, and as a professional publishing unit. Despite all of this work, Grace was always calm and decisive - and was a great role model of the House's values of inclusive, courageous, trusted and collaborative.
Sandip Samra CMktr
Grace is a really professional and supportive manager who gets the best out of individuals and teams. She has the knowledge, skills and experience in everything from developing individuals to building a team that is integral to achieving business objectives. As my line manager for three years, Grace prioritised my health and wellbeing, gave me space to try new things, motivated me to develop and achieve my potential, worked with me to find solutions to workplace challenges, and supported my involvement in projects and networks in and outside our team.
Grant Hill-Cawthorne
I worked with Grace from 2018 to 2022, when I was first Head of POST and then Director of Research. Within both jobs we were undertaking some significant change management. Grace adeptly ensured that the proposed changes were effectively communicated and was instrumental in co-designing aspects of the editorial model. I was a fellow management board member alongside Grace, who always brought a common-sense approach to the table and helped us deliver messages during particularly trying times. I worked with Grace to compose messages throughout the COVID pandemic to R&I colleagues - translating what was coming through from central communications to the nuance of the Library and POST. Grace can very quickly formulate key messages and speeches, producing very clear messaging at speed. Finally, and most significantly, Grace created the R&I Communications team from scratch, successfully securing resource and identifying where we could do better in our external and internal communications, and as a professional publishing unit. Despite all of this work, Grace was always calm and decisive - and was a great role model of the House's values of inclusive, courageous, trusted and collaborative.
Sandip Samra CMktr
Grace is a really professional and supportive manager who gets the best out of individuals and teams. She has the knowledge, skills and experience in everything from developing individuals to building a team that is integral to achieving business objectives. As my line manager for three years, Grace prioritised my health and wellbeing, gave me space to try new things, motivated me to develop and achieve my potential, worked with me to find solutions to workplace challenges, and supported my involvement in projects and networks in and outside our team.
Grant Hill-Cawthorne
I worked with Grace from 2018 to 2022, when I was first Head of POST and then Director of Research. Within both jobs we were undertaking some significant change management. Grace adeptly ensured that the proposed changes were effectively communicated and was instrumental in co-designing aspects of the editorial model. I was a fellow management board member alongside Grace, who always brought a common-sense approach to the table and helped us deliver messages during particularly trying times. I worked with Grace to compose messages throughout the COVID pandemic to R&I colleagues - translating what was coming through from central communications to the nuance of the Library and POST. Grace can very quickly formulate key messages and speeches, producing very clear messaging at speed. Finally, and most significantly, Grace created the R&I Communications team from scratch, successfully securing resource and identifying where we could do better in our external and internal communications, and as a professional publishing unit. Despite all of this work, Grace was always calm and decisive - and was a great role model of the House's values of inclusive, courageous, trusted and collaborative.
Sandip Samra CMktr
Grace is a really professional and supportive manager who gets the best out of individuals and teams. She has the knowledge, skills and experience in everything from developing individuals to building a team that is integral to achieving business objectives. As my line manager for three years, Grace prioritised my health and wellbeing, gave me space to try new things, motivated me to develop and achieve my potential, worked with me to find solutions to workplace challenges, and supported my involvement in projects and networks in and outside our team.
Grant Hill-Cawthorne
I worked with Grace from 2018 to 2022, when I was first Head of POST and then Director of Research. Within both jobs we were undertaking some significant change management. Grace adeptly ensured that the proposed changes were effectively communicated and was instrumental in co-designing aspects of the editorial model. I was a fellow management board member alongside Grace, who always brought a common-sense approach to the table and helped us deliver messages during particularly trying times. I worked with Grace to compose messages throughout the COVID pandemic to R&I colleagues - translating what was coming through from central communications to the nuance of the Library and POST. Grace can very quickly formulate key messages and speeches, producing very clear messaging at speed. Finally, and most significantly, Grace created the R&I Communications team from scratch, successfully securing resource and identifying where we could do better in our external and internal communications, and as a professional publishing unit. Despite all of this work, Grace was always calm and decisive - and was a great role model of the House's values of inclusive, courageous, trusted and collaborative.
Sandip Samra CMktr
Grace is a really professional and supportive manager who gets the best out of individuals and teams. She has the knowledge, skills and experience in everything from developing individuals to building a team that is integral to achieving business objectives. As my line manager for three years, Grace prioritised my health and wellbeing, gave me space to try new things, motivated me to develop and achieve my potential, worked with me to find solutions to workplace challenges, and supported my involvement in projects and networks in and outside our team.
Experience
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Peace Direct
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United Kingdom
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Non-profit Organization Management
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1 - 100 Employee
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Head of Fundraising and Communications
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Apr 2023 - Present
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House of Commons
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United Kingdom
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Political Organizations
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700 & Above Employee
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Head Of Communications
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Mar 2017 - Sep 2022
As a member of the senior leadership team I was responsible for transforming the department's communication output and leading change to embed new ways of working. I oversaw external communications and marketing, internal communications, media relations, multi-channel campaigns, editorial strategy and the development of new Commons Library and POST websites.- Leading comms strategies and campaigns to improve awareness and use of library research, leading to significant media coverage. The strategy grew the library’s social media audience by 10k in a year and increased readership to 9 million in 2021. - Establishing an editorial strategy to improve the quality and accessibility of Library and POST research.- Overseeing work to deliver accessible, user-friendly websites for the library and POST to help market its research products.- Innovating library research by creating new digital products including Insights (short, topical, timely articles), piloting a podcast, and working with an external supplier to deliver new, accessible publication templates. - Building a high-performing, multi-disciplinary team. Achieving consistently excellent feedback from my team in annual appraisals. - Developing a successful internal comms strategy to support staff through the challenges of the pandemic. - As anti-racism lead for the senior leadership team, I sponsored a reciprocal mentoring scheme to match senior leaders and Black, Asian and minority ethnic colleagues.- As a member of the R&I Management Board, I contributed to strategic decision making, the management of departmental budgets, performance monitoring and risk management. Show less
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Research Communications Manager
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Feb 2016 - Mar 2017
I was responsible for developing a professional communications and marketing function for the House of Commons Library - the first role of its kind in the Library. I did this by implementing and evaluating multi-channel communications and marketing strategies to promote the Library to MPs and the public. I increased the external impact of the Library’s work by building relationships with external stakeholders such as journalists, academics, and other research bodies which lead to media coverage and partners using our work. I also led work to create a new website and publication platform for the Commons Library, and created guidance and training to make published research more engaging and accessible. I was responsible for advising staff and senior management on how to work with the media proactively and managing reputational risk. Influencing and persuading colleagues of the value of communicating externally and encouraging new ways of working to support external engagement were both significant parts of this role. Show less
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House of Commons
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United Kingdom
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Political Organizations
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700 & Above Employee
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Chambers and Committees Outreach Manager
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Mar 2015 - Jan 2016
I led a busy team within Parliament's Outreach service, developing a strategy to engage people with the work of Select Committees and the business of Parliament. The team of 5 delivers public events that give people the knowledge to engage more effectively with Parliament and the skills to affect change. I was also responsible for project managing the UK Youth Parliament Select Committee inquiry and Commons Chamber sitting, and overseeing my department's contribution to Parliament's WW1 Commemorations. Show less
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Public Engagement Project Manager
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Apr 2014 - Feb 2015
I was responsible for leading a team that delivers high-profile, public facing projects, all designed to get people talking about politics and democracy. The projects I managed included Parliament Week, a UK-wide programme of events to engage and connect people with Parliament and TEDxHousesofParliament, which was recognised as a leading TEDx event in the UK.I oversaw the development and delivery of communication strategies for each project, programmed events, developed strong partnerships and made sure projects were delivered on time and in budget. Show less
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Campaigns and Events Officer
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May 2012 - Apr 2014
Responsible for delivering public facing events such as Parliament Week and TEDxHousesofParliament.
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FareShare UK
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United Kingdom
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Non-profit Organization Management
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200 - 300 Employee
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Communications and Marketing Officer
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Sep 2010 - May 2012
Securing regular media coverage, including front page of The Observer for the launch of our National Impact Survey, BBC headline news coverage, regular items in trade media and local press.Internal communications, bulletins and newsletters for the FareShare depot network.Managing FareShare's social media presence and individual contacts through NewsFeed - our regular e-news letter.Writing copy for the website and marketing materials and managing the content of the website using wordpress.Planning and delivering events such as Feeding 5000 and the 1 Million Meal Appeal to raise FareShare's profile.Supporting the FareShare team with the production of marketing materials. Show less
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Communications and Administration Officer
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Apr 2008 - Aug 2010
Being first point of contact and managing all offers of food from industry partners to the FareShare network. Managing relationships with food industry partners to gain maximum benefit for FareShare.Collating, analysing and reporting on statistical information from the FareShare network of depots through a biannual impact survey, quarterly statistics and KPI’s to create key messages to report on FareShare’s impact. Managing the invoicing procedure to ensure regular income from FareShare’s social business.Establishing and maintaining internal communications strategy and tools to uphold the sharing of information across the network. Show less
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Marie Curie UK
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United Kingdom
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Non-profit Organizations
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700 & Above Employee
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Press Office Intern
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Dec 2007 - Mar 2008
Worked with the press team on a voluntary basis, proving support during in the build up to their Great Daffodil Appeal. Contacting all premiership football managers and asking them to wear a daffodil for all televised matches, then coordinating the mail out of badges and materials. Worked with the press team on a voluntary basis, proving support during in the build up to their Great Daffodil Appeal. Contacting all premiership football managers and asking them to wear a daffodil for all televised matches, then coordinating the mail out of badges and materials.
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Marketing and Promotions Volunteer
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Dec 2007 - Mar 2008
Working on a voluntary basis on ‘The Nag’, Anti-apathy’s online initiative to inspire people to do one thing a month to lead a more sustainable lifestyle. Researching and contacting potential businesses to partner with for cross promotion, liaising with the designer, writers and web team to ensure each ‘Nag’ was produced to deadline. Working on a voluntary basis on ‘The Nag’, Anti-apathy’s online initiative to inspire people to do one thing a month to lead a more sustainable lifestyle. Researching and contacting potential businesses to partner with for cross promotion, liaising with the designer, writers and web team to ensure each ‘Nag’ was produced to deadline.
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Education
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2002 - 2006
The University of Sheffield
BA, American Studies -
2004 - 2005
State University of New York at Buffalo
BA, American Studies
Community
