New Deputy CEO and Chief Operating Officer for Government Communication
The Government Communication Service has appointed Lisa Hunter as Deputy Chief Executive and Gemmaine Walsh as Chief Operating Officer. They will join Chief Executive Simon Baugh’s new Senior Leadership Team.
Lisa joins from the Department for Work and Pensions and will take charge of continuing improvements to cross-government media, social media, and crisis communications capability. Lisa will ensure the Civil Service communications machine is using social media in a bolder and more decisive fashion and will deliver the Prime Minister’s objective for a digital hub that can communicate more effectively with the public.
Gemmaine brings a wealth of experience and knowledge delivering change and communications in high profile public and private sector organisations to the role, most recently as the Transformation Director for the Reshaping GCS Programme. She will oversee the GCS strategy for the next three years, raising professional standards and delivering corporate functions.
Simon Baugh, Chief Executive for the Government Communication Service, said:
“I am really looking forward to working with Lisa and Gem and I am delighted they will be part of my senior team. Lisa and Gem will be leading on my two biggest priorities – joining up communications on the most important issues the country faces and raising professional standards to build a communications profession fit for the future.
Both Lisa and Gem share my passion for helping GCS members deliver exceptional work that makes a real and positive difference for the public.”
Lisa Hunter, Deputy Chief Executive for the Government Communication Service said:
“I’m hugely excited to take on such a key role in shaping the government’s communication as we emerge from one of the most challenging periods in our history.
I look forward to working across Whitehall to ensure we are speaking with one, clear voice and providing a strong sense of direction as GCS moves forward, together.”
Gem Walsh, Chief Operating Officer for the Government Communication Service said:
“GCS is a brilliant profession communicating vital messages to the public every single day. I’m really passionate about our profession – especially the impact government communication has in helping our society.
I want us to be at the top of our game and achieve the best for our profession and public service. I’m really excited to be a part of Simon’s new Senior Leadership Team and to build a GCS for the future.”
- Image credits:
- Lisa Hunter (1)
- Gemmaine Walsh (2)