Melissa is a part of the Engagement and Marketing team, which means that she works closely with everyone at The Hub, as well as our customers. She has supported our communications for a long time now, while growing as a professional and embedding herself into the core of the organisation.
Read the full interview with Melissa below:
Briefly tell us about your role at the Collaborative Procurement Hub.
As Head of Communications, I spend a lot of my time shaping how we tell the Hub’s story and making sure the right messages reach the right people. I work closely with our leadership team and procurement specialists to understand our customers’ needs and then translate that into clear, compelling communications to highlight how we can support them.
Tell us about your career before joining the Collaborative Procurement Hub.
I started my Comms career when I moved from America to London about 14 years ago. I was desperate to work in publishing – my dream was to be an editor. But after some internships in marketing and publicity teams, I realised that communications was a much better fit for my personality. I worked in PR first in children’s publishing, and then for an arts publisher until my husband and I decided to relocate to Cambridge. I briefly dabbled in agency life before landing at the Hub, more than eight years ago now!
You have been at the Hub for over eight years now. How would you summarise your time here?
When I joined the Hub, I was still relatively early in my career. The Hub has been a brilliant place to grow in confidence and expand my skillset. Having come from a PR background and no real knowledge of public procurement, my role has pushed me to become a jack of all trades communications-wise and even learned to speak (relatively!) fluent procurement!
What big challenges keep you on your toes?
We are a very small team with very big ambitions! There are so many things that I want us to do and there are so many things that we need to do – finding the balance can be tough. Getting our heads around AI and how it can support our reach and impact has been really beneficial, but again, we’ve had to find the right balance between using AI to our best advantage while retaining the Hub’s voice and authenticity.
Outside of work, what helps you switch off and recharge?
I started going to small group weight training about two years ago. Previously all of my exercise had been focused on weight loss but now that I’ve changed my aim to being strong and healthy, I’ve really started to enjoy it. An intense workout at the end of the day really resets my brain. Plus, I can do a box squat with 65kg, which I’m quite proud of!
What is your dream holiday?
I’ve reached a point in my life where I no longer enjoy being hot! Joe Lycett did a Travel Man episode a year or two ago where he visited Lapland and did ice fishing, husky sledding and loads of wintery, snowy adventures. I grew up in Minnesota (very cold in the winter) and lived in the Rocky Mountains for about eight years before moving to the UK, so snow is a part of my DNA! I would love to go somewhere like Lapland so my son can experience a proper, beautiful snowy winter instead of the drizzly grey ones we get in Cambridge.
See what Melissa’s colleagues have to say about working closely with her:
Working with Melissa is an absolute pleasure. She brings a wealth of experience from world-leading publishing houses, combined with over eight years of public sector expertise. Her clarity in communication, unwavering team support and collaborative approach set her apart as an outstanding communications professional. Anyone who has the opportunity to work with Melissa is lucky!
Left: Melissa and Arlo at a petting zoo.
Right: Melissa at a Hub picnic at Victoria House, Cambridge.