At Fire on the Hill we empower organisations to develop and communicate their story. Together, we can help to shape a more advanced, more sustainable, more open, more truthful, and more equal world.

As part of this journey, As Per My Last Email… takes a look at what our teams, clients and industry have been working on over the past few weeks.

June was an exciting month, with the release of our research project, The Voice of the Chief Communications Officer, and showcase events taking place in London and Paris. Read on to find out more.

We hope you enjoy!

Fire on the Hill unveils new report: The Voice of the Chief Communications Officer

Alongside our research partners at Mercury Analytics, Fire on the Hill worked with 200+ communications leaders in the UK and US to develop our new report, The Voice of the Chief Communications Officer.

The work finds, as a convergence of geopolitical, technological and societal change creates unprecedented complexity for many organisations, growing numbers are turning to communications professionals to articulate positions authentically.

As a result, some 80% of in-house communications professionals expect to see PR budgets increase in 2026 – with 8% anticipating growth of 50% or more.

Elsewhere, adoption of Artificial Intelligence and other technology was cited as the most important issue facing an organisation right now by a quarter of those questioned, suggesting significant change is on the horizon.

While sustainability also remains in the top four issues important to organisations, DEI has fallen out of the top ten for many communicators, with just 2% of those questioned citing the issue as the most important facing a business.

Take a look at the full report for more, here.

Leading the discussion in Paris and London

To support the release of the new report, Fire on the Hill hosted industry-facing panel discussions in Paris and London.

Looking at the strategic priorities of senior comms people, the conversations – led by two of our co-founders, Christopher Clarke and Sarah Mulder – ranged from geopolitical uncertainty, the increasing role of AI, changing sentiment towards ESG and DEI, changing channel strategies and much more.

Also on the agenda was insight that trust and transparency have become central pillars of comms strategy, cited as defining issues for leaders today.

A huge thank you to Neil Rogan, Nathalie Labia, Nathalie Pigault and Laura Brooks, who joined us in Paris, while panellists Daniel Batchelor, Holly Donahue and Chris Talago made the London event such a success.

Thanks also to Evie Barrett and PRWeek UK for taking a closer look at the latest Fire on the Hill research.

Fire on the Hill - Monthly Digests

In the June Reputation Digest, Senior Account Executive Rosie Ward explores the risks Airbnb is taking as it attempts to shift the conversation around overtourism, the growing backlash against AI replacing humans in customer service and how corporations are struggling to adapt to a new landscape for Pride.

The AI copyright war dominates the AI Digest from Account Executive Frankie Cole, raising important questions about the future of creative ownership in the digital age.

Finally, in the new Wellbeing Digest, Account Manager Anna Houchen examines the enduring value of human skills in a world increasingly shaped by machines.

How can a sense of moral purpose help attract the next generation of talent?

Earlier this month, Fire on the Hill had the pleasure of welcoming Rohan Dias for a work experience placement. In a new piece, he shares a fresh perspective on what graduates are really looking for in the workplace - and why values matter more than ever.

The next generation expects more than just competitive salaries and perks.

They are looking for employers who lead with integrity, speak out when it matters and take meaningful action on issues like sustainability, equity and social justice.

At Fire on the Hill, we’re listening - and learning. Because the future of work isn’t just about what we do. It’s about who we are.

Find out more, here.

How can quality storytelling have an impact as AI changes the media landscape?

As recent downsizing at TechCrunch and Business Insider starkly illustrates, existing media models are coming under strain. At the same time, new opportunities are emerging, with The New York Times licensing its editorial content to Amazon to train AI models.

Far from being replaced, journalistic content is adapting, being licensed and valued as an irreplaceable input to the future of technology and information. Journalism — and by extension, the PR that feeds that journalism — remains foundational to how people understand the world and its issues.

Find out more in a new piece from Fire on the Hill Account Manager, Siobhán Fitzsimons.

…Finally

In a new feature from Business Leader, our co-founder Christopher Clarke shares how surrounding ourselves with ambitious founders and tapping into expert guidance helped Fire on the Hill to navigate the complexities of tax, regulation and culture during our US expansion.

From building new comms channels to evolving our internal mindset, expansion hasn’t just been about geography - it’s transformed how we think and operate.

Thanks to Sarah Vizard for featuring our story in this exploration of global growth. More here.