The Hunter Region can now lay claim to two globally credentialed senior communication professionals.

The appointment comes at a time when businesses are increasingly looking to the expertise of strategic communicators to manage media attention, risks to reputation, business transformation and employee engagement in a rapidly changing work environment.

Jacinta Campbell and Alison Evans join a handful of senior communicators around the world to hold the credential of SCMP – Strategic Communication Management Professional – from the Global Communication Certification Council, the highest global communication certification in the world.

“Although we both have Communication degree qualifications from The University of Newcastle, we saw the global certification program as an opportunity to test our years of experience against an internationally recognised standard of communication excellence,” Jacinta said.

“Having an international standard for certification, promotes a common, global understanding of what constitutes professionalism and competence in corporate communication.”

Both Alison and Jacinta were approved to sit the certification exam based on their experience and were required to demonstrate knowledge and experience across six areas from reputation management to ethics to innovation and strategy development.

“SCMP is more than a set of post-nominals. To maintain the certification requires ongoing commitment to learning, mentoring and best practice,” Alison said.

“It’s rigorous but that’s an important marker of credibility and gives businesses and senior leaders confidence they’re working with contemporary professionals who are well practiced in providing strategic communication advice.

“Right now, businesses are facing unique challenges, especially when it comes to transformation and the employee experience, so there’s significant demand for strategic communication which helps deliver outcomes that align with business objectives.”

The Global Communication Certification Council’s program is the only professional communication certification program in the world that meets ISO standards (ISO 17024).

Both Alison and Jacinta have spent much of their careers advising businesses in the Hunter Region. Jacinta has previously worked with NIB Health Funds and Greater Bank and is currently with The City of Newcastle.

Alison has worked with Ausgrid, TAFE NSW – Hunter and is currently with Greater Bank.

IMAGE | Jacinta Campbell and Alison Evans hold global communication excellence accreditation