VODG Marketing & Communications Professional Network Meeting December 2023

Ben Furner

Director, Furner Communications

Ben began his working life at the BBC before moving into media relations, first at the disability charity Scope then at Age Concern England (now Age UK). After two years in a PR agency to broaden his experience, he set up Furner Communications.

As well as running the company, Ben has been an expert advisor to the Department of Work and Pensions, writes periodically for a range of publications including the Guardian and runs disability equality workshops. He’s also a member of the actor’s union, Equity. Yes, really.

: https://furnercommunications.co.uk/

Richard Hamer

Associate Director, Furner Communications

Richard started his career in the social housing sector, and has spent most of it working for charities, most recently at director level at Amnesty International and Capability Scotland, the country’s biggest disability charity. Richard has a wealth of experience, including policy development, and campaign and strategy planning. He’s the only one of us who lives north of Watford Gap, but we let him off because he’s extremely good at what he does.

: https://furnercommunications.co.uk/

Richard Jane

Director of External Affairs, Brainkind

Richard has worked in not-for-profit and public-sector marketing and communications for many years. Starting in the education sector, followed by a move to central government, Richard has been working in health charities since 2010. Re-branding and repositioning organisations are his specialism, but he has led teams on large behaviour change campaigns and developed digital channels, creative production functions and PR teams.