Mike Forster

Communications Leader | Executive Counsel | Strategic Comms, Media, Public Affairs & Policy Influence

United Kingdom

About

I’m a senior communications professional with 15+ years’ experience shaping narratives, advising CEOs, politicians and senior leaders, and leading diverse teams through high‑stakes, complex environments. My career spans political campaigns, strategic communications, crisis management, executive counsel, public affairs, media strategy, and stakeholder engagement, with a particular focus on turning complex policy and issues into compelling, accessible narratives and stories that build understanding and trust. I’m motivated by doing good work, for good reasons, with good people. I'm now looking for a new role in which I can apply the unique combination of skills and experience I have accumulated to support organisations doing important and impactful work.

Experience

  • NHS England (11 yrs 3 mos)
    • Deputy Director, National System Communications
      Dec 2024 - Mar 2026 · 1 yr 4 mos

      - Led five functions, and around 50 multi-disciplinary communications colleagues, across external affairs, crisis management, strategic events and system leadership. - Advised the NHS Chief Executive and national directors on sensitive issues, risks and system‑wide challenges. - Directed high‑stakes issues management and strengthened organisational reputation through evidence‑informed, proactive communications. - Created new products and capabilities to meet organisational objectives, including strengthening communications to, and engagement with, system leaders.

    • Senior Advisor to the Chief Executive
      Jan 2022 - Dec 2024 · 3 yrs

      - Led on speeches, visits and wider thought leadership activity for the NHS Chief Executive. - Managed business and provided advice to the CEO, Chair and national directors across a broad range of policy portfolios.

    • Head of Strategic Communications
      Oct 2020 - Feb 2022 · 1 yr 5 mos

      - Led coordination of communications activity across NHS England, both tactically through communications planning processes, and strategically through priority setting and convening. - Led development and embedding of organisational narrative through new briefing products for senior leaders. - Delivered across multiple workstreams of the COVID-19 vaccine deployment programme, including major staff and volunteer recruitment campaigns, and ensuring coordinated messaging across the country through the development and compilation of key resources for local communications teams.

  • Senior Parliamentary Researcher to Sharon Hodgson MP at House of Commons
    Aug 2010 - Jan 2015 · 4 yrs 6 mos

    Supporting MP with media and stakeholder relations, speechwriting, legislation, campaigns, policy (including Shadow Ministerial briefs) and constituency casework.

  • Parliamentary Researcher to Derek Wyatt MP at House of Commons
    Feb 2009 - May 2010 · 1 yr 4 mos

    Supporting MP with media and stakeholder relations, speechwriting, legislation, campaigns, policy and constituency casework.

  • Parliamentary Assistant to Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP at House of Commons
    Oct 2008 - Dec 2008 · 3 mos

    Supporting MP's team with media and stakeholder relations, speechwriting, legislation, campaigns, policy and constituency casework.

  • Constituency Assistant to Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP at House of Commons
    Apr 2008 - Jul 2008 · 4 mos

    Supporting MP's team with media and stakeholder relations, speechwriting, legislation, campaigns, policy and constituency casework.