Ruder Finn Launches Global Center of Excellence for Strategic Internal Communications and Engagement

In a strategic move to meet the evolving needs of its clients, Ruder Finn has unveiled its global Center of Excellence for Strategic Internal Communications and Engagement, known as rf.engage. This initiative brings together a wealth of global agency talent to empower client organizations to harness the full potential of their workforce and usher in the future of communication and engagement.

This decision is a direct response to the remarkable growth in internal engagements, which now constitute nearly 20% of Ruder Finn's extensive global client portfolio. 

With rf.engage, Ruder Finn combines its extensive expertise in strategic internal communications, change management, and employee engagement from across the globe into a unified team. The objective is to help businesses align their workforce with their strategic objectives, goals, and mission in the context of today's rapidly changing, diverse, and widely distributed working environments.

Heading the rf.engage initiative is Nick Leonard, Managing Director of Ruder Finn's London office, who reports directly to CEO Kathy Bloomgarden. Joining Leonard in the senior leadership team are Executive Vice Presidents Trish Nicolas and Jem Gregory. This group will leverage the collective knowledge of internal communications and engagement experts from within Ruder Finn's extensive network, including the award-winning agency SPI Group, which Ruder Finn acquired in 2019. Moreover, the Center of Excellence will provide clients with the means to leverage emerging technologies such as AI for their internal communications efforts.

Nick Leonard emphasized the unique position of rf.engage, stating, "We're a specialist team within one of the world’s largest independent communications and creative agencies, so we understand both the big picture and specific organizational needs. We’ve excelled in internal communications and engagement counsel and support for many years – it represents a substantial portion of our business, and we have won many awards for our work. We are now bringing together that experience and expertise to help clients deliver exceptional, integrated communications that motivate employees and drive them toward their goals."

Ruder Finn's CEO, Kathy Bloomgarden, sees rf.engage as a natural extension of the agency's impressive track record. She stated, "We are building on 75 years of success and applying our award-winning industry experience to meet the communications challenges of tomorrow. In the last three years, we’ve seen a bigger transformation of the workplace than any other point in the last century. The way employees interact with their employer and each other has changed forever. Stronger employee engagement efforts are critical to building a world-class culture in today’s much-changed environment."