Introducing Jill Lockett

We are delighted to announce that renowned healthcare leader and executive coach Jillian Lockett is joining our Blue Lozenge Strategic Advisory Board.

Jill brings more than three decades of transformative leadership in the NHS, including 11 years as Managing Director of King’s Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre.

Throughout her distinguished career, Jill has mobilised clinical excellence, developed innovative partnership models and spearheaded major health data and population health initiatives. Through senior level healthcare roles and as a seasoned executive coach, Jill empowers leaders across health, tech and life sciences.

As founder of SHINE Executive Coaching and Consultancy Ltd, Jill drives strategic partnerships and talent development. A graduate of the INSEAD Global Women Leaders programme, Jill’s impact spans the UK and global health, always championing innovation, collaboration and the improvement of health outcomes.

Jill said: “I am thrilled to be joining Blue Lozenge as a member of the Strategic Advisory Board. I will be looking to bring insights from a career driving high-impact pathway redesign, life sciences partnerships, strategic and governance design, executive coaching and board support. It will be wonderful to align the vision and values of SHINE ECC and Blue Lozenge, working with their outstanding team, led so impressively by Rachel.”

Blue Lozenge founder and Chief Executive, Rachel Royal, commented:

“I’m delighted to have Jill on board. Our Strategic Advisory Board does a brilliant job of helping us develop our strategy and ensuring we remain relevant to our clients. Jill’s knowledge and expertise will be central to progressing our work, in particular our focus on using strategic communication and engagement to improve patient pathways, reduce waiting times and make a real difference to care. Her breadth of healthcare experience, combined with her skills in executive coaching and leadership, will further strengthen our board’s ability to guide the next phase of our service development and growth.”

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Blue Lozenge Founder Rachel Royall named among UK’s Top Political Influencers

Blue Lozenge founder and CEO Rachel Royall has been named in MACE magazine’s 2025-26 index of top political influencers, recognised as a healthcare sector specialist among the UK’s leading public affairs consultants. 

The MACE Political Influencers index, now in its third edition, profiles the most influential consultants and strategists working in UK public affairs. The peer-reviewed list identifies professionals best placed to guide businesses and organisations through an increasingly complex political and regulatory environment.  

To recognise this achievement, Rachel attended a prestigious event in Westminster alongside others featured in the index including Rt Hon Jim Murphy, Founder and Executive Chair of Arden Strategies and Nerys Evans Managing Director for Cavendish Cymru. 

Rachel founded Blue Lozenge, a strategic healthcare communications agency that works across the NHS, government, the private sector, health tech and innovation in 2021. Now, in its fifth year, its success has been its ability to navigate complex relationships across government and the health and care sector. Working in challenging areas such as maternity improvement, public health campaigns, youth engagement, and violence reduction. 

Rachel’s experience spans central government, global technology and the public sector. As a living kidney donor and breast cancer survivor, she also brings personal insight alongside professional expertise recognised by both the Chartered Institute of Public Relations and the Public Relations and Communications Association.  

The selection process is demanding, with over 250 consultants initially considered. Candidates undergo peer review by senior industry practitioners who assess whether they would recommend and hire them before inclusion in the final index. 

On her achievement, Rachel said:  

“It’s a real privilege to be acknowledged as a top political influencer. The healthcare sector is facing significant political and economic challenges. At Blue Lozenge, we have a fantastic team, and it’s a credit to the relationships that we have been able to build to make a difference to people and society.”

 

Celebrating excellence in health journalism

At Blue Lozenge, we believe that great health journalism doesn’t just inform it saves lives. That’s why we were so proud to sponsor the Feature of the Year (Broadcast) award at the 2025 Medical Journalism Awards (MJA).

This year’s winners, Patrick Russell, Cree-Summer Haughton, Eloise Swinton, Hattie Hamilton, Matt Williams and Ed Saunt, took home the award for their powerful News feature, Britain’s Backstreet Surgery Scandal.

The documentary exposed the hidden dangers of unregulated cosmetic procedures in high-street salons, sparking urgent conversations about safety and standards. As the judges said:

“The documentary exemplifies the role that only well-resourced journalism can fulfil in our society. An outstanding insight into what is perhaps the biggest health fad of the moment.”

We couldn’t agree more. Health journalists take on the difficult stories that demand attention, distil complexity and hold systems to account; making vital information accessible for everyone.

The MJA awards this year were hosted by Shaun Lintern, Sunday Times journalist and chair of the MJA. The awards are held annually and celebrate the excellent work of health and medical journalists across the UK.

Rachel Royall, Our CEO said: “We really believe strongly in the value of journalism. Patients sometimes cannot advocate for themselves. They need excellent expertise and fantastic journalists who go above and beyond to research topics and get the best outcome for the patients and the public.”

That’s why Blue Lozenge is proud to support them. Their work doesn’t just tell stories it drives change.

If you’re a journalist and need support with stories, get in touch. If you are a health organisation and need PR support, we’d love to hear from you.

Get in touch at: hello@bluelozenge.co.uk

Blue Lozenge invests in permanent office

We’ve moved to a permanent office space in Bromley 

We’re delighted to announce that we’ve moved to our new permanent home in the heart of Bromley. This exciting milestone represents the continuation of our growth journey and reinforces our commitment to team wellbeing and collaboration. 

While we remain a digital-first agency, we’ve recognised that as we grow as a team we need a more permanent base to collaborate and share with our clients. Four years ago, we set out with a simple mission: to give healthcare professionals more time to care. Today, as we settle into our new home, we’re reflecting on how far we’ve come. 

Rachel Royall, our CEO, said:

“This move is more than just a change of address – it’s a real investment in bringing our team together to do their best work. We also want to invest in our local community and we’re looking forward to hosting events and sharing the space with our clients.” 

Our new workspace at Contingent Works is specifically designed for modern collaborative working, providing: 

  • Flexible working arrangements that allow our team to work when and how they’re most productive 
  • Modern amenities designed to support wellbeing and productivity 
  • Excellent transport links making commutes easier and more sustainable 
  • Collaborative spaces that foster the innovation and teamwork our clients depend on 
  • Quiet zones for the focused, deep work that creates strategic communication excellence 

Contingent provides the perfect environment for our expanding team and visiting clients. We’re also excited to welcome other communications and healthcare professionals to share this space with us – if you’re interested, get in touch at hello@bluelozenge.co.uk 

Blue Lozenge welcomes new Account Executive

We’re pleased to welcome Rose as the newest member of the Blue Lozenge team, joining us as our new Account Executive. 

Rose brings experience from legal, healthcare communications and mental health research, with a background that in policy development, research and volunteering in both sports and mental health. She will bring additional analytical insight and attention to detail to projects, while also building strong relationships with clients and colleagues alike. 

In her new role, Rose will work closely with our clients and the Blue Lozenge client services team, supporting the delivery of thoughtful and effective communications that make a positive impact in health and care. 

Maddie Pinkham, Client Services Team Leader at Blue Lozenge, said:

“We’re really excited to have Rose on board. Her mix of sector knowledge and practical experience means she’ll add real strength to our work with clients, and we’re looking forward to seeing the contribution she’ll make.” 

You can read more about Rose and the rest of the Blue Lozenge team here. 

Blue Lozenge Strategic Advisory Board 

Four industry leaders strengthen Blue Lozenge governance  

We are delighted to announce the launch of our Strategic Advisory Board. We’ve bought together an independent panel of senior healthcare and communication industry leaders to guide our next phase of growth.  The board will guide our service development and help ensure we continue to deliver communication solutions that give healthcare professionals more time to care and patients better experiences. 

Alongside then Blue Lozenge leadership team our strategic advisory board members are: 

Jim Donaldson, Chair – With over 30 years in communications consultancy, Jim has led campaigns and teams at some of the world’s leading PR agencies. He was previously CEO of the UK and Middle East at global consultancy FleishmanHillard and now undertakes a portfolio career as a non-executive adviser and mentor. 

Sarah Tedford, NHS CEO – An exceptional healthcare executive leader with a proven track record of delivering rapid organisational change across major NHS institutions and with experience in pharna. Sarah successfully navigated Covid-19 challenges and led transformational improvements.  

Matthew Hopkins, NHS CEO – Chief Executive of Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust and an experienced NHS leader, having previously served as CEO of multiple NHS trusts. Matthew began his career as a nurse in the NHS, bringing frontline perspective to strategic leadership. 

Suhail Mirza, Non-Executive Director – A globally recognised inclusive wellness coach with over 20 years of healthcare sector experience. Suhail is a bestselling author and created the W.I.S.D.O.M Programme™, helping leaders unlock clarity and achieve sustainable success and hosts the Voices of Care podcast. 

The board’s  first meeting discussed the government’s 10-year health plan and how our service portfolio can support the healthcare system during this period of significant transformation. 

Rachel Royall, our founder and CEO, commented:

“Launching our Strategic Advisory Board represents an important milestone in our journey. The expertise and insight these leaders bring will be invaluable as we continue to develop services that truly make a difference to healthcare organisations and the communities they serve. 

“Four years in, we’ve delivered over 150 projects for 50 clients, but our mission remains unchanged – we transform healthcare through strategic communication that gives professionals more time to care and patients better experiences. This board will help ensure we continue to innovate and respond to the evolving needs of the health and care system.” 

We are actively seeking to strengthen the board with representatives from patient advocacy and public health backgrounds. Healthcare professionals or patient representatives interested in contributing to this important work are invited to contact the board secretariat. 

For more information about joining our Strategic Advisory Board, contact Corinne Harrison, partnership manager, at corinne@bluelozenge.co.uk 

Welcome NHS communication leader Alenka Daniel

We’re delighted to strengthen our growing team with the appointment of NHS communication leader Alenka Daniel as Account Director.

Alenka, currently Head of Communications at Barts Health NHS Trust, joins us from Monday 23 June, bringing over a decade of frontline NHS communication experience to support our growing portfolio of healthcare clients. She will be working with our public health clients, driving behaviour change campaigns and building on our work to help reduce violence amongst children and young people. 

Alenka formerly led communications for one of the UK’s largest NHS trusts, overseeing the development of the communications strategy for five hospitals and advising executive leadership through complex system-wide challenges. Her expertise spans internal and digital communications, media relations, crisis communication, and stakeholder engagement. 

Her work has earned national recognition, including accolades from the Nursing Times Workforce Awards, Comms2Point0 UnAwards, and the Medical Journalists’ Association, as well as contributing to the BAFTA-nominated series Operation: Live.

Alenka Daniel commented:

“Blue Lozenge represents the future of strategic healthcare communications: bold, compassionate, and expert.

“I’m proud to be joining a team that’s making a tangible difference across the health and care sector.

“I look forward to helping our clients improve patient care and navigate the complex and evolving health landscape.”

Rachel Royall, CEO of Blue Lozenge, added:

“We’re really excited about Alenka joining our team. She is hugely values driven and a great personality to be around. She has an excellent track record In delivering impactful campaigns and I can’t wait for her to meet our clients.”.”

Alenka’s appointment reflects our continued investment in senior healthcare communications talent, if you’re looking for your next move we’d love to hear from you. And if you’re looking for strategic healthcare communication expertise to design and deliver your next campaign, view our services and get in touch hello@bluelozenge.co.uk 

Read the Press Release in PR Week

Supporting Excellence in Medical Journalism

Author: Maya Anaokar, Account Director

This year marks a special milestone for Blue Lozenge – we’re sponsoring the Medical Journalists’ Association Awards for the first time, specifically the Feature of the Year (Broadcast) award. 

Why the awards matter to us 

The MJA Awards matter because excellent health journalism saves lives. The best health reporters don’t just inform – they scrutinise, challenge and ultimately drive improvements that make care safer for everyone. For all the specialist communicators who work in-house across the health system, you know journalists rely on your ethics, energy and expertise.  

At a time when there is so much debate about the value of NHS communication, we want to champion the role communicators play in supporting journalists. Especially those journalists who go beyond soundbites and who dig deeper, research thoroughly, and transform complex health information into content that genuinely serves patients and communities. 

The power of stories 

Healthcare communication can be unnecessarily complex. We chose to sponsor the Feature of the Year (Broadcast) award to shine a light on the simplicity of storytelling. This award celebrates journalists who can distil intricate health stories into accessible, engaging content in just two minutes – a skill that’s both rare and vital. 

Our challenge to the sector 

We believe transparency, accountability and scrutiny make healthcare stronger. That’s why we support journalism that challenges the system to do better. We, therefore, have one ask for health journalists: stop accepting ‘a spokesperson says’ and demand named accountability from real people in senior positions across health and care.  

The public deserves transparency, and transparency drives better outcomes. 

Looking ahead 

In today’s healthcare environment, leaders face mounting responsibilities and relentless pressures. Strategic communication isn’t about spin – it’s about creating space for healthcare leaders to focus on what matters most: improving lives. When done well, it embraces scrutiny rather than avoiding it. 

We look forward to congratulating all MJA Awards nominees. Your work matters more than you know so get your entries in by 1 June. 

Blue Lozenge specialises in strategic healthcare communication and engagement. If you’re facing communication challenges that require transparency, accountability and trust, we’d love to help: corrine@bluelozenge.co.uk 

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