Corporate comms isn’t glamorous — it’s pressure, politics and problem-solving at speed. In this episode, Tatiana Raikes, Head of External Communications & Corporate Affairs at Currys, takes us inside the real world of crisis comms, government relations and reputation management in one of the UK’s biggest retailers. We cover everything from her early days in PR agencies (cold-calling journalists and blagging her way through the old-school media world), through to lobbying in the City, and now leading corporate affairs for a FTSE-listed retailer in a sector that changes by the hour. Tatiana shares what people get wrong about lobbying, why corporate voice must be consistent across government and media, and how Currys manages peak season, customer expectations and a rapid digital transformation — all while keeping the business protected from reputational risk. This episode is packed with practical insights on crisis planning, influencing senior leaders, building internal trust, and staying calm when the unexpected inevitably hits. • What corporate affairs actually does inside a retailer like Currys • Why PR and lobbying now overlap more than ever • How to talk to government, the media and customers with one voice • Why customers shape every piece of corporate messaging • The truth about hybrid retail and why stores still matter • How Currys manages Black Friday pressure and peak trading comms • Inside a real “war room”: live data, media angles & rapid response • How to get senior leaders to listen — without becoming a yes-person • What makes great comms people: listening, curiosity, resilience • How to plan for crisis, test your plan and handle the moment it hits • Why authenticity wins in modern leadership and public comms