Episode 3 - Balancing data, instinct and culture in internal communications.

Dan Gibbons, Internal Communications & Engagement Manager at Capita, is our guest for podcast episode three. He shares a refreshingly honest look at his career journey and what effective internal comms really looks like in a large, complex organisation. Dan's path into communications wasn't planned. Having worked across learning and development, video editing, marketing and comms, he explains how internal communications became the place where all those skills came together. For Dan, the appeal lies in the people side of the role - engagement, understanding behaviour, and helping people feel connected at work. Like many in the profession, he didn't set out to work in internal comms, but discovered it as a niche with real impact. The conversation explores the balance between data and instinct. Dan highlights how metrics like readership, engagement rates and surveys are essential for shaping strategy and winning stakeholder buy-in, particularly when time and cost are involved. At the same time, gut feeling still plays a valuable role, especially when data shows that an idea simply isn't landing. Working at Capita brings unique challenges, from navigating shared values and tone of voice to embedding culture at scale. Dan shares how Capita developed a culture code rooted in employee insight, collaboration and line manager buy-in, alongside a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion.  The episode also touches on where internal comms sits within organisations, the risks of underestimating its value, and the exciting opportunities technology presents for engaging people in new, creative ways.