Effective thought leadership: what it’s for, and how to plan and execute

Join us for a practical and insight-driven session designed to help education businesses understand how to use thought leadership as a strategic tool for growth.

Join Sam Derby (Oriel Square) and Emma Duke (Emma Duke PR) as they share decades of experience in developing and leveraging thought leadership within the education sector.
This webinar will help participants understand where thought leadership sits within the communications landscape and how it can support PR, sales, marketing, and internal communications. Sam and Emma will walk attendees through real educational campaigns, exploring how thought leadership pieces were conceived, gained senior leadership backing, and attracted allies to maximise impact.

By attending, you will:

• Understand what thought leadership really is, and identify the concrete outcomes it can deliver as part of your wider growth strategy.
• Explore the role of thought leadership in effective PR and influencing campaigns, and learn how it can shape narratives and open doors.
• Recognise how thought leadership supports your sales and marketing objectives, helping create long-term visibility, trust, and demand.

Agenda:

11:00
Why is it important to have a communications strategy, and where does thought leadership sit in relation to that strategy?
Emma Duke,

11:25
What makes an effective piece of thought leadership, and how can you use it at the heart of your communications / to support your communications?
Sam Derby, Director, Oriel Square Limited

11:50
Q&A and next steps

Speakers:

Sam Derby, Director, Oriel Square Limited

Sam has 25 years of experience in educational publishing, having worked as editor, publisher, head of department and director. He has an active interest in education policy, has served as Chair of Governors at an East Oxford primary school, and is a past chair of the EPC maths panel at the Publishers Association. He is a director and co-founder of Oriel Square Ltd, the Oxford-based educational publishing and strategy company, leading Oriel Square’s consultancy and business development work, and previously was Head of Publishing and Digital and later Director of Professional Development at Pearson.

To ask any questions, please email eventsteam@besa.org.uk. 

We look forward to having you join us for an enlightening and enriching experience!

About BESA.