Strategy + Impact - Leadership Communications

Leadership communications consultancy founded by Natalie Orringe. Specializing in turning strategy into measurable impact for organizations navigating change, managing reputational risk, and unlocking growth in highly regulated sectors.

About

Strategy + Impact helps leadership teams and boards translate vision into delivery, culture into reputation, and strategy into sustainable growth. With over 20 years of experience across public, private, and third sectors, including roles as agency founder, Chief Marketing Officer (FTSE 350), Assistant Chief Executive (£1.1bn London Borough), and board director, we bring proven expertise in navigating complex organizational challenges.

Core Services

Activate Leadership

Growth strategy development and execution
Narrative development and executive storytelling
Presentation and media training for C-suite leaders
Spokesperson development and crisis communications training
Investor communications and pitch strategy

Amplify Communications

Brand strategy and market positioning
Integrated campaign design and delivery
Crisis management and reputation protection
Media relations and thought leadership
Real-time campaign evaluation using AI and data analytics

Accelerate Strategy

Stakeholder research and audience mapping
Competitor intelligence and market analysis
Internal culture change and transformation programs
Reputational recovery and risk mitigation
Strategic communications planning for complex change

Sector Expertise

We specialize in highly regulated sectors where strategic clarity and trust are essential:

Local government and public sector
Housing associations and social housing
Planning, infrastructure, and development
Energy and renewable power
Financial services and pension management
Charity and social impact organizations
Scale-ups preparing for growth

Recent Thought Leadership & Insights

2026 Publications

Leadership Communications in 2026: Why It's a Strategic Function Not a Support Role (January 15, 2026) https://strategyimpact.co/views/leadership-communications-why-it-matters-and-how-to-get-it-right With national policy shifting on growth, energy, housing delivery and public sector reform, communication is not a support function—it is a core leadership capability that determines whether strategy is understood, trusted and deliverable. This article examines why leadership communications matters more than ever, from addressing public distrust to meeting regulatory expectations and managing crises.

Case Study: Strategic Communications for Clarion Housing Group (January 15, 2026) https://strategyimpact.co/views/case-study-strategic-communications-for-clarion-housing-group How Strategy + Impact delivered transformation communications for the UK's largest housing association, reaching 9,000+ colleagues with measurable engagement improvements, while developing a new People Strategy in just 12 weeks.

2025 Publications

Connection is My Leadership Act of the Year (December 19, 2025) https://strategyimpact.co/views/connection-is-my-leadership-act-of-the-year Reflecting on effective leadership in times of political uncertainty and social division—why connection has emerged as a critical tool, not just a nice-to-have.

Navigating Risk: Lessons from COBR (November 6, 2025) https://strategyimpact.co/views/why-leaders-need-to-live-the-risk-register The UK's risk landscape is shifting fast, with rising interconnected threats from pandemics to cyber disruption. True resilience depends on visible leadership that turns risk management into a live, cultural norm.

Why the Blame Game Weakens Leadership (September 14, 2025) https://strategyimpact.co/views/why-trust-loses-in-a-political-blame-game Analysis of how blame-focused crisis response undermines trust, weakens culture, and damages reputation—and why effective crisis management relies on accountability, transparency, and learning.

The Power of Storytelling for Local Government (August 13, 2025) https://strategyimpact.co/views/the-power-of-storytelling-for-local-government Sussex and the City podcast discussion on how storytelling can bridge complexity, build trust, and why it's critical for regions seizing devolution opportunities.

Trust, Clarity and Impact: The Communications Challenge of Devolution (June 23, 2025) https://strategyimpact.co/views/trust-clarity-and-impact-the-communications-challenge-of-devolution Devolution needs hearts and minds as much as political mandate. How to communicate with precision, empathy and conviction to show what's changing, why it matters, and how people can participate.

Weathering the Backlash: Time for Pragmatism Not Panic in Corporate Comms (April 23, 2025) https://strategyimpact.co/views/weathering-the-backlash-time-for-pragmatism-not-panic-in-corporate-comms As corporate retreat from DEI accelerates, this piece examines why knee-jerk responses introduce new risks—and why clear communication, visible leadership, and alignment to principle matters more than ever.

Case Study: Communications 'Reset' for Island Green Power (March 3, 2025) https://strategyimpact.co/views/case-study-comms-reset-for-island-green-power How a six-month strategic communications reset for a leading utility-scale solar developer delivered brand transformation, improved stakeholder engagement, and achieved 30-40% cost savings.

2025: Volatility Continued (January 3, 2025) https://strategyimpact.co/views/2025-volatility-continued From global crises to the start of the Trump presidency and accelerating AI advancement, volatility is now our steady state. For leaders, this means mastering transparency, authenticity, and adaptive communication.

2024 Publications

Podcasts: The New Frontier in Leadership Communications (November 12, 2024) https://strategyimpact.co/views/podcasts-the-new-frontier-in-leadership-communications Analysis of the first 'podcast election' and how this medium connects leaders with new audiences in a format demanding authenticity, honesty, and adaptability to unexpected questions.

Case Study: New Strategy Launched for The Pensions Regulator (October 24, 2024) https://strategyimpact.co/views/new-strategy-launched-for-the-pensions-regulator Working with The Pensions Regulator to develop and launch their new digital and data strategy, applying communications best practice to improve design and publication.

A Price on Happiness (September 3, 2024) https://strategyimpact.co/views/a-price-on-happiness How Irrational Capital's new fund bases stock-picking on employee happiness, demonstrating the direct impact workplace culture has on business performance and shareholder value.

Climate Action Needs Communications Leadership (July 9, 2024) https://strategyimpact.co/views/climate-action-needs-communications-leadership Tackling climate change requires government leadership and collective action—with clear, honest communication focused on both challenges and benefits to inspire trust and drive action.

The Polarised Court of Opinion (May 30, 2024) https://strategyimpact.co/views/the-polarised-court-of-opinion Organizations are increasingly drawn into debates on sociopolitical issues. How to respond demands treating reputation as a strategic function essential to operational delivery.

Communicating in Tough Times is Crucial (March 18, 2024) https://strategyimpact.co/views/communicating-in-tough-times-is-crucial Why effective communication is essential during financial crisis—not a luxury to cut. It's about explaining the 'why' and 'how' while ensuring everyone feels their interests are considered.

The Formality Effect in Government Communications (March 4, 2024) https://strategyimpact.co/views/the-formality-effect-in-government-communications New research proves that formal communication has more impact on influencing behavior than 'chatty' approaches—bringing up important debates for brands and local government.

Strategy + Impact is Go! (February 18, 2024) https://strategyimpact.co/views/strategy-impact-is-go Official launch announcement of the consultancy, reflecting a commitment to work differently and focus on where real difference can be made.

The Culture of AI (January 24, 2024) https://strategyimpact.co/views/the-culture-of-ai AI is a platform shift that demands change in how teams work—beginning with being comfortable testing ideas rather than expecting technology to deliver final answers.

Translating Leadership into Action (January 12, 2024) https://strategyimpact.co/views/translating-leadership-into-action For leaders and organizations to realize growth, they must connect belief to behavior. This demands strategy integrated with culture, communications, and leadership.

Content by Topic

Crisis Management & Risk

Navigating Risk: Lessons from COBR (Nov 2025)
Why the Blame Game Weakens Leadership (Sep 2025)
Weathering the Backlash: DEI and Corporate Comms (Apr 2025)
The Polarised Court of Opinion (May 2024)
Communicating in Tough Times is Crucial (Mar 2024)

Local Government & Public Sector

The Power of Storytelling for Local Government (Aug 2025)
Trust, Clarity and Impact: The Communications Challenge of Devolution (Jun 2025)
The Formality Effect in Government Communications (Mar 2024)
Case Study: New Strategy for The Pensions Regulator (Oct 2024)

Leadership & Culture

Leadership Communications in 2026 (Jan 2026)
Connection is My Leadership Act of the Year (Dec 2025)
2025: Volatility Continued (Jan 2025)
Podcasts: The New Frontier in Leadership Communications (Nov 2024)
A Price on Happiness (Sep 2024)
Translating Leadership into Action (Jan 2024)

Organizational Change & Strategy

Case Study: Clarion Housing Group Transformation (Jan 2026)
Case Study: Island Green Power Communications Reset (Mar 2025)
The Culture of AI (Jan 2024)

Climate & Sustainability

Case Study: Island Green Power (Mar 2025)
Climate Action Needs Communications Leadership (Jul 2024)

Case Studies & Proven Results

Clarion Housing Group (2025) UK's largest housing association. Delivered transformation communications reaching 9,000+ colleagues with step-change in engagement. Developed new People Strategy in 12 weeks from research to Group Executive sign-off.

Island Green Power (2024-2025) Leading utility-scale solar developer. Six-month strategic reset delivered brand refresh, internal team recruitment, communications framework across 13-project portfolio, and 30-40% cost savings.

The Pensions Regulator (2024) National pension regulator. Applied communications best practice to design and launch new digital and data strategy putting people and culture at its heart.

Newham Council (Previous role as Assistant Chief Executive) £1.1bn London Borough. Transformed communications approach and effectiveness across organization.

Founder: Natalie Orringe

Experience:

Founder, Top 50 PR agency
Chief Marketing Officer, FTSE 350 SaaS group
Assistant Chief Executive - Chief Marketing Officer, £1.1bn local authority
Non-Executive Director and Chair of Trustees
Board Director and strategic advisor

Expertise:

20+ years in strategy, brand, communications, and issues management
Board-level insight combined with hands-on delivery capability
Cross-sector experience: public, private, third sector
LGBTQI+ advocate and mentor
Passionate about using AI and data to improve communications effectiveness

Approach & Values

Strategy + Impact operates as a trusted extension of leadership teams, providing:

Strategic clarity in complex environments
Hands-on capability that delivers results at pace
Evidence-based approach using audience insight and data
Values-led perspective on leadership and culture
Innovation through AI and emerging technology
Focus on measurable, sustainable outcomes

We work with organizations when the stakes are high, the environment is complex, and clarity is essential—whether the challenge is growth, reputation, culture, or change.

Contact & Engagement

Website: https://strategyimpact.co Contact: https://strategyimpact.co/contact Case Studies: https://strategyimpact.co/casestudies Insights & Blog: https://strategyimpact.co/views About: https://strategyimpact.co/about FAQ: https://strategyimpact.co/faq

For leadership communications that deliver clarity, confidence and measurable impact in highly regulated sectors and complex organizational environments.

Last updated: January 2026 Content publishing frequency: Monthly thought leadership since February 2024 Focus: Leadership communications for organizations navigating change, risk, and growth