Evolving How We Work: Insights from Kim Walker, Partner and Managing Director at Fox&Cat

Partner Amy Hayer recently sat down with Kim Walker, Partner and Managing Director at Fox&Cat, to discuss the strategies we use to lead, learn and stay connected, particularly in health communications, as the way we work continues to evolve.

Here, Kim offers her thoughts on the changes reshaping today’s work landscape.

It’s no revelation to say that how we work has changed. Not just in where it happens, but in how it fits into our lives. As an industry, and as a society, we’re still adjusting to just how profound this change really is. There was a time when work and life were entirely separate. If someone wanted to reach you, they phoned the office and spoke to a receptionist and only if it was urgent. There were fixed hours, physical files and desktop computers. Life happened around work.  Today work and life are blended. We don’t need to wait until 6pm to hear from our families, or friends, or even put the washing on. For many, hybrid working has unlocked a feeling of balance and they’re understandably reluctant to give up.

The need for balance is real and so is the concern about what could be lost without enough time spent together at work, particularly around learning, development and the subtleties that define great health communication. I don’t have all the answers. But what feels clear is that we’ve outgrown the remote vs office debate. The question now is how do we collectively create the right conditions for connections, learning and growth, wherever our people are?

As leadership thinker Marshall Goldsmith puts it in What Got You Here Won’t Get You There, the behaviours that make us successful at one stage often hold us back at the next – unless we’re willing to evolve. The same applies to how we approach work. If we’re serious about supporting performance, wellbeing and sustainable growth in health comms, we need to move beyond models that were built for a very different time. We need to build something that reflects and adapts to the ever-changing workforce values and still makes space for the development and connection we know matters.

What’s already working and what we can build on:

• Bring people together around purpose, not policy. Get people together when it really matters, not just when it’s convenient.
• Use the tools we already have to create meaningful exposure and learning moments, e.g. Zoom and Teams.
• Provide flexible training platforms. What do people need to know, how do they absorb it best and how can we effectively deliver it where they are?
• Junior colleagues understand the “why” behind decisions with walkthroughs, annotations and transparent process.
• Reward contribution, not attendance. Leadership isn’t about being seen, it’s about the value you bring.

We don’t have all the answers and things still feel a little messy. But that’s often what happens before something better takes shape. Rather than trying to rewind to a version of work that no longer fits, we have the opportunity to ask – what should this look like now? Not for nostalgia’s sake but for the sake of wellbeing, performance and better outcomes for the people and patients we serve.

With over 20 years of experience in healthcare communications, Kim Walker is known for driving sustained double-digit growth, enhancing industry reputation and embedding operational excellence. She is passionate about reimagining how agencies operate, and specialises in building infrastructures that balance agility and precision – ensuring businesses run efficiently while delivering high-impact strategic communications.

Amy Hayer is an expert recruiter in the Communications and Marketing space. With over 15 years of experience in the recruitment industry, she has a proven track record in advising and counselling professionals on critical career choices across both the UK and MENA region. An expert in healthcare comms, Amy’s network allows her to facilitate strong placements for Healthcare PR, Digital Healthcare, Medical Education roles, and more.

Hanson Search is a globally recognised, award-winning talent advisory and headhunting consultancy. We excel in helping businesses recruit world-class, transformative talent for business-critical roles that drives revenue and manages reputation and risk.