Claire Aston

An experienced senior communications professional, I went freelance in May 2020 to help a wider variety of organisations to shine through their communications. Whilst I’d been planning the leap for over a year, the pandemic highlighted just how vital clear, targeted communications are for any organisation - whatever the sector.

​

I’ve spent my first freelance year supporting organisations with their storytelling, their communication strategies, and their copywriting – using virtual working skills honed as Head of Strategic Communications at Christian Aid (pictured).

Whether it’s a global corporate trying to engage thousands of employees suddenly working from home or a small charity wondering how to reach its now virtual supporters, the need for strategic communications support is high.

​

My skills lie in helping a team – at senior leadership or project level – see what it takes to build a clear communications strategy that can engage their audience. And, if they are overwhelmed with the amount of new content to create, settling down to some copywriting. 

I can bridge different sectors and am building a client base that encompasses small charities, Church of England Dioceses, and a couple of larger corporate clients. My ability to make connections across sectors, and follow trends, means I bring a useful external perspective.

​

As organisations continue to evaluate the impact of Covid, I can also call on my experience of change management – I led Christian Aid’s external stakeholders global communications plan during a major strategic review and enjoy the challenge of bringing audiences with me.

My background is in charity communications - I've run communications, media & PR teams in England and Scotland, delivering comprehensive & high-quality coverage for organisations and coalitions such as Stop Climate Chaos & the DEC.

​

Before all that, I trained as a print journalist, cutting my teeth on The Church of England Newspaper, for whom I reported from Africa, Asia and Latin America. 

​

Known for my calm and collaborative leadership style, I enjoy building a sense of team, even virtually (although actual coffee meetings are my favourite).

​

I have a BSc in Psychology from Southampton University, and a PostGraduate Certificate in Charity Marketing and Fundraising from London South Bank University.

​

​With a lifelong interest in education, I'm a governor of my local Church of England Primary school and am even more in awe of teachers than I was pre-pandemic. My focus on the governing body is to work on vision and values, personnel, and leadership development.