Change Management Communication Strategy

Background

Our client, a leading private bank, engaged PryceWilliams to manage a large transformation programme, which included migrating the investment management operations from Europe to the UK. As part of this programme of work, PryceWilliams stood up a People and Communications workstream due to the staff impact and sensitive nature of the change. The aim was to engage impacted staff in a sensitive and logical approach to minimise disruption, increase transparency and ensure successful transfer of knowledge to the target location in the UK.

Approach

The client needed a trusted delivery partner to handle stakeholder coordination, manage sensitive communications confidentially, design a communication plan to support individuals through change, preserve team morale and successfully deliver the migration from Europe to the UK.

To do this, we developed a communication strategy with people, transparency, project governance and risk mitigation at its core. This included:

Confidential preparation

• Before the announcement, analysis and preparation were performed by a core team to enable discreet planning and project mobilisation without unnecessary disruption.
• Ensured the analysis and subsequent business case received appropriate scrutiny prior to final migration decision.

Announcement management

• Planned a formal communication event (“announcement day”) for impacted staff via in-person, video, and written formats.
• Key messages covered the intended change, migration approach, and support available.
• This marked the transition from confidentiality to coordinated communications.

Engagement delivery

• Established structured communication mechanisms to inform staff, reduce uncertainty, and maintain stability post-announcement.

Analysis

Confidential preparation

• Worked with the Project Board and internal SMEs to develop a robust People and Communications strategy.
• Created a Key Message Register for stakeholder alignment and message control before announcement day.
• Drafted all communications in advance—FAQs, briefing notes, and templates for rapid use.
• Managed all prep work via secure channels to ensure accuracy and consistency.

Announcement management

• Delivered coordinated communications to executive board, regulators, and impacted staff.
• Released pre-approved messaging supported by trained line managers and team leads.
• Set up feedback channels to handle real-time queries and concerns.

Engagement delivery (post-announcement)

• Launched weekly newsletters to communicate progress and key milestones.
• Hosted virtual drop-in sessions for impacted staff to ask questions and receive updates.
• Tracked engagement and sentiment and reported to the Project Board to inform decisions.

Conclusions

• Focused on the people impact and ensured support was in place ahead of communications.
• Prevented disruption within the impacted areas and across the wider business.
• Maintained staff trust through consistent and responsive post-announcement communications.
• Preserved the client’s brand and employer reputation through careful stakeholder management and governance.

Recommendations

Based on the successful execution and lessons learned from this communications planning project, we recommend the PW Project Planning check to support any future people change or similar sensitive initiatives.

For example, the PW Project Planning check covers:

• Establishing a controlled governance forum early, including assessing staff impact and confidentiality requirements ahead of the announcement.
• Planning and pre-approving all communication artefacts before disclosure for fast execution.
• Setting up internal channels (e.g. newsletters, virtual sessions) to keep impacted staff engaged and supported.
• Monitoring feedback through structured channels to identify stakeholder needs, issues, and risks.

Next Steps

PryceWilliams provides specialist consulting and project delivery services for organisations undergoing strategic change, regulatory compliance, and technology transformation. We focus on supporting the project sponsor to ensure implementation is delivered on time and within budget. Should you need support, contact us to make progress happen.