About Me

I've navigated three waves of disruption. This time, I built a methodology to help.

sallyhems

I've spent 25 years in PR, comms, and branding — for corporates, higher education, charities, and agencies. I've trained cross-functional teams, led communications strategies, and built brands from the ground up. It's work I enjoy.


I've also watched the industry get disrupted three times over. Digital. Social. Now AI. Each wave brought the same pattern: disbelief, anxiety, frantic upskilling, then stabilisation. Each time, the ones who emerged, creativity and confidence intact, were those who developed the right skills while staying grounded and clear on their own value.

This time, change will be dramatic, affecting the entire knowledge sector. It's not just new tools to master: it will fundamentally change how we work. So I decided to come up with a new approach.


Building brain capital

AI is transforming industries at a time when workforce engagement and motivation is at a record low. And through reducing agency and headcount, automation has the potential to reduce decision-making and interpersonal skills.

McKinsey says we need to nurture brain capital if organisations, individuals and economies are to thrive over the coming years, protecting:

  • brain health - healthy development, without mental, neurological or substance use disorders
  • brain skills - greater autonomy, cognitive, interpersonal, and tech literacy, so we can 'adapt, relate, and contribute meaningfully'

It's critical therefore, that we develop the resilience, confidence and creativity to find new ways to make a living in this new paradigm.

Clear North uses the Bridges Transition Model as its diagnostic spine — identifying where people are in the transition before prescribing what to do about it. Combining evidence-based practices, relevant skills, and a reframe of the professional environment, the methodology moves from stabilisation through capability-building to creative confidence.

It’s sector-specific in content and disruption-agnostic in structure — designed to hold across whatever comes next.on of letters. making it look like readable English.


Why science? Why community?

Cognitive understanding alone doesn't change the brain. Isolated practice doesn't either. Research consistently shows that durable resilience requires three things working together: understanding the mechanism (what's happening neurologically), practising recalibration (regulating the stress response), and peer connection — which has a documented, biological effect on cortisol and oxytocin levels.

Qualifications & training

•      25+ years in PR, comms, and branding for corporates, charities, public sector & HE/FEIs

•      Developed and grew peer-to-peer networks for CIPR and CharityComms

•      Trained marketing & cross-functional teams in strategics comms & social media

•      HE Certs: Positive Psychology, Self-Determination Theory (SDT) & Science of Wellbeing

•      Yoga Alliance certified (2014) with CPD in breathwork, meditation and somatics

"Equal parts commercial, creative, easy to work with and experienced I would highly recommend Sally to any marketing and communications professional in need of expert support."

LYNDA THWAITE

Brand Marketing & Comms /Ops Board Member

Carpenters Group

"She's extremely knowledgeable about all elements of the communications and marketing mix."

SAM BROWN

Head of Communications

Bristol Community Health

"Sally is great to work with; she's relaxed, down to earth and pragmatic whilst at the same time being totally on top of everything and super reliable."

RINGO MOSS

Chief Strategy Officer McCann WorldGroup

"Proactive, responsive, professional, flexible and a pleasure to deal with."

VICKY BROWN

Managing Director

CharityComms