HOW WE WORK
Expert strategy
Risks managed
Highett Partners operates at the strategy, counsel and language level. We don't own the technical process, manage the ongoing marketing and engagement, or sit in every meeting. We provide the diagnosis, thinking, strategic framework and content, and the counsel — and we hold that position throughout an engagement.
This is a deliberate choice. Our value is concentration, not breadth. When an organisation is navigating an enterprise agreement or a CEO succession, it doesn't need an external communications firm doing everything. It needs one team who knows exactly what to say, when to say it, and why.
HOW WE ARE ENGAGED
Highett Partners can be engaged directly by enterprises. And our work often comes through employment lawyers, executive search firms, management consultants, and HR advisers who identify communications as the gap in their client's preparedness and refer rather than improvise.
ENGAGEMENT MODEL
Engagements are on fixed period engagements, or fixed-fee, project basis, and scoped by outcome rather than hours. We work with a small number of clients at any time — which is the precondition for doing this kind of work well.
CONFIDENTIALITY
The nature of the work requires absolute discretion. We do not publicise clients, publish case studies, or reference past engagements without explicit permission. The work is the record.
COMMUNICATIONS RISK DIAGNOSTIC
A structured view of communications risk, before the situation unfolds.
Every Highett Partners engagement begins with a diagnostic. We assess the communications risk profile of your specific situation, produce a risk matrix across five dimensions, and deliver a prioritised programme of work.
The diagnostic moves the conversation beyond professional opinion. It gives the communications support function the same structured rigour that legal, financial, and HR advisers already bring to these situations — and it tells you both where the risk concentrates before you need to act on it, as well as what to focus on that will ensure your negotiation, change, transition or reporting maximises the value for your enterprise.
HOW IT RUNS
01
INPUTS & INTELLIGENCE
We receive and review all client-supplied documents, conduct CEO and leadership interviews, and assess the organisation's external communications footprint, media history, and relevant adviser briefings.
02
ASSESSMENT
We assess the communications risk profile across each of the five dimensions. Each is rated for likelihood and impact. The ratings are combined and service line weightings are applied to produce a composite risk score and band.
03
REPORT & DELIVERY
We deliver a written report: a risk matrix, detailed dimension findings, and a recommended programme of work. A presentation session is available to walk through findings with the client and their adviser team.
ADDING CRITICAL VALUE TO YOUR ADVISORY TEAM
We work alongside your existing advisers, not instead of them.
Our work, from diagnosis to strategy and action plan, occupies a distinct communications lane. Every report includes a scope statement that names the legal, HR, and financial advisers involved and defines precisely what Highett Partners does and does not own in the engagement.
You and your team, General Counsel, employment lawyers, and financial advisers working on the same matter receive a communications assessment that has been built to the same standard of rigour as their own work — which informs our strategy that shows where communications needs to act to manage any risks and maximise the value of the event for your enterprise.
Don’t just manage technical, regulatory, legislative or compliance risk - manage how the situation is received and viewed by employees, external stakeholders, investors, shareholders, customers, and the market.
SPECIALIST COMMUNICATIONS DIAGNOSIS, STRATEGY & LANGUAGE COUNSEL ACROSS FOUR SERVICE AREAS
To discuss how we can manage your risk and maximise your value with the moment that could define your leadership or organisation contact us directly.