Jane Cozens
Jane is a skilled leader and expert communicator with a long track-record of delivering organisational vision, objectives and change through integrated communications, media, branding and external affairs.
Jane has a handy side-line and track-record delivering digital transformation programmes and setting digital strategies for large organisations. She is a creative marketing communications and branding expert who thrives devising communications and digital strategies and setting clear agendas for delivering corporate and project objectives.
With extensive senior leadership experience in large housing, not-for-profit and international legal professional services and commercial businesses, Jane has been working with Keeble Brown for ten years as a client and more recently has joined the team as a director.
She has a particular interest in creating effective building safety communications programmes:
“We are seeing an increasing number of issues around construction materials and construction methods – particularly since some of these which were deployed in the mid to late 20th century are nearing their working lives – the recent serious concerns around reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) will require urgent action and a comprehensive approach to safety.”
Life before Keeble Brown
An alternative start to her career saw Jane more commonly wandering around the High Court in London looking for the right courtroom. After 10 years of being a solicitor she finally saw the light and found her way into a career which suited her creative, commercial and strategic mind – marketing communications and branding. She spent the next few years leading the global marketing communications and branding service for a major international law firm with multiple offices worldwide. It was there that she developed her keen interest in digital communications – building award-winning online products and services.
More recently she completed a seven-year stint as Director of Communications and External Affairs at one of the UK’s largest housing associations. She was responsible for the successful management of some major critical incidents (including the building safety programme), developing the strategic growth strategy and working closely with the executive team as part of the senior leadership team.
Quick quiz
What is your biscuit of choice?
This might be controversial, but I really love a Tunnock’s tea cake …can’t just have one though so I have to avoid them altogether.
What keeps you awake at night?
My dog mostly – she likes to do a patrol of the garden at around 3am and she’s quite persistent if I don’t get up and let her out…
Most positive influence in your life?
So many people to thank – but I always thought that if I was delivering my BAFTA acceptance speech (for best communications strategy?) I would definitely have to thank the medical staff who saved my life in 1997 and, of course, the writer Sally Wainwright for giving us Happy Valley which I have just binge-watched… there are also all the serious people who have achieved so much in the field of women’s rights including Emmeline Pankhurst of course. We stand on the shoulders of giants…as Sir Isaac was fond of saying or so Wikipedia tells me.
