Leadership Lens: Nicola Green

In 2024, before joining forces with Taylor Bennett to create Taylor Birchwood, Birchwood Knight celebrated its 15th birthday. To mark the occasion, Wayne Reynolds conducted interviews with a wide range of highly accomplished corporate affairs leaders about their experience and views of the function. This interview is with Nicola Green who leads communications and corporate affairs at Virgin Media O2.

Bio

Chief Communications and Corporate Affairs Officer, Virgin Media O2 (current)

Corporate Affairs Director, O2 (2012 to 2021)

Head of Media and Communications, O2 (2003 to 2012)

What advice would you give to yourself 15 years ago?

I’d tell myself that change is coming, that it will be perpetual, and that I can sustain it. Looking back, the last decade and more has been unimaginable in terms of the pace of technological change and the enormity of world events. To know all that ahead of time would have been overwhelming, but I think it’s amazing what humans can sustain when they’re tested. I would have given myself a pep talk and told myself not to sweat the small stuff because big stuff is on the way!

How has corporate affairs changed over the last 15 years, and what do you expect next?

It has changed enormously. Firstly, it’s now commonplace for corporate affairs to be represented at the board table. I’m proud I was part of the generation that successfully lobbied for that. Concurrently, it is now much higher up the corporate agenda. I started my career working in a marketing-led world, and we’ve transitioned to a corporate affairs-led one.

More broadly, the job has become even more real-time, and heavier in terms of scope. I’m now responsible for corporate strategy, as well as our Environmental, Social and Governance division. This is in addition to the more traditional reputation, communications and public affairs responsibilities. The people agenda is far richer now too, and far less top down than it ever was.

I expect the next wave of change will come from AI and machine learning, which will change the shape of organisations and directly impact how corporate affairs divisions operate. We’ve started on that journey, but there is so much more to come.

What three skills does a modern-day corporate affairs director need? And if you could pick only one, which would it be and why?

Sound judgement, decisiveness, and the ability to build good relationships. It’s hard to choose one as I think the combination of all three is essential to the role, but if pushed, I would pick sound judgement. I think emotional intelligence plays into this sound judgement. There are so many things you are expected to manage as a Corporate Affairs Director, set against a backdrop of competing priorities and differing frames of reference. To be able to assess a situation and make a sound judgement on how to best act, sits at the very heart of the job.

What do you love about the job?

I love that no two days are the same and that the job is constantly changing. It’s a relentless career and there is always something new to tackle, but that keeps me interested and motivated.

I also love that it’s meaningful work. In all that I do, I bring myself back to my personal mission to help end the digital divide. Millions of UK adults still lack access to basic digital services and the skills required use them, which has a damaging effect on how they live and work. By lobbying and launching initiatives such as the UK’s first national Databank, I’m able to find true purpose in my work more than I ever have before.

If you didn’t work in corporate affairs, what would you do instead?

I’d set up my own business – either a platform or a network – bringing people together and connecting the world in some way. I always have hundreds of ideas running through my head and I get inspired by new initiatives and smart entrepreneurialism. There’s still time; I might still do it!

What was the last book you read?

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens.

What would be your specialist subject on Mastermind?

1990s pop groups.

What do you enjoy doing away from the office?

Lots! Supporting my kids’ interests, being with friends, going to the theatre, watching live music, eating good food, traveling. I am also really active in my local community and volunteer at school and for various charities. I’m on the Board in a voluntary capacity for Internet Matters, which works to keep children safe online.

If you enjoyed this you may also like Wayne’s interviews with:

Rachel Hopcroft, Corporate Affairs Director at KPMG UK

Rachel Woods, Senior Vice President Communications at bp

Carolyn Esser, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Darktrace

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4th December 2024