Simon Kenyon
Reading
Summary
Native English-speaking Communications Manager experienced in developing and executing corporate communications strategy in alignment with company goals, and in partnership with senior leaders across cultures. Track record in translating complex issues from diverse markets into simple messaging. Fluent German, proficient French.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Principal | People Communications
Delivery Hero
Berlin
09.2025 - 02.2026
- Led first global all-hands in absence of CEO, maintaining engagement and communication across teams
- Drove agenda development and crafted key narratives to proactively inform and inspire multicultural teams in Berlin around financial results, restructuring or other company news
- Translated leadership principles into daily behaviours, fostering cultural transformation and enhancing employee alignment with organisational values
- Navigated complex, works council-sensitive issues alongside VP People & Culture and Employee Relations to ensure alignment and compliance
Internal Communications & Engagement Director
AVIV Group
Berlin
03.2024 - 08.2025
- Led team of four to design and implement employee engagement strategies, addressing concerns during prolonged works council negotiations
- Developed weekly CEO video series to enhance executive visibility and strengthen employee connection
- Collaborated with Executive Leadership Team - especially the CEO and CHRO - plus local HR to ensure empathetic dialogue across Germany, France and Belgium
- Crafted and directed company-wide narrative for voluntary redundancy program, safeguarding internal communications and preventing external leaks
- Partnered with M&A team to create awareness plans regarding acquisition rationales in Germany
Head of Internal Communications
PayU
Berlin
10.2020 - 03.2024
- Achieved notable awards from Meta and NextNovate for innovations in internal communication strategies
- Collaborated with global CEO, regional CEO, and global CHRO to facilitate two-way communication on global initiatives, enhancing alignment across leadership
- Led virtual team of five to enhance employee communications in high-growth markets including India, Poland and Colombia
- Designed global live stream during pandemic, receiving an 88% positive rating for clarity and guidance
- Elevated PayUneers Days in Istanbul, achieving a 98% excellent rating and improving employee business understanding to 89%
- Established first world café for PayUneers Day in India, receiving 79% positive feedback and fostering engagement among participants
- Drove team engagement to 88%, surpassing company average by 12%, with 100% ratings in Feedback & Recognition and Teamwork & Ownership
Senior Communications Manager
PayU
Berlin
03.2018 - 09.2020
- Delivered integrated communications support for business leaders, facilitating successful acquisition and integration projects
- Enhanced employee engagement and adoption of Workplace social enterprise tool through targeted communication strategies
- Achieved 85% employee recognition of new PayU values across 17 countries
- Strengthened trust in leadership and improved employee comprehension of company strategy
- Collaborated with global and regional HR to enhance employee engagement across Eastern Europe, Colombia, Brazil, Israel and India
- Created and launched innovative online knowledge-sharing platform focusing on AI, product strategy, and privacy
Global Internal Communications Manager
GfK
Nuremberg
11.2016 - 02.2018
- Secured Board approval for Shining Orange initiative to drive employee participation and implement best practices
- Developed internal digital content strategy, producing video featuring new CEO to enhance employee engagement
- Led team of four in Germany to establish newsdesk, generating diverse stories that highlighted company strategy
Regional Head of Internal Communications
Bombardier
Berlin
04.2015 - 10.2016
- Advised HR and Engineering executives on communication strategies, achieving 97% satisfaction in France.
- Aligned editorial content to ensure coherent and timely messaging across Europe, enhancing regional understanding.
- Edited and compiled intranet articles, showcasing 75% of local successes to boost regional and external engagement via social media.
- Facilitated exchange of best practices, improving regional collaboration and driving efficiency.
Specialist Communication & Change Management
Bombardier
Berlin
11.2005 - 04.2015
- Collaborated with CTO and tech leaders across Europe, Canada and Asia to refine communication strategies, improving engagement and alignment.
- Initiated regular webinars and intranet sites, fostering cross-business dialogues and strengthening interdepartmental relationships.
- Developed tools that facilitated information and knowledge sharing, enhancing collaboration within the organisation.
- Measured communication impact through focus groups and workshops
- Produced brochures, guides, articles and videos targeting global audiences
Change Management Specialist
Bombardier
Berlin
02.2003 - 10.2005
- Developed train-the-trainer concept and self-learning materials, educating 400 finance employees globally in five weeks
- Coordinated stakeholder relationships across Information Technology, Finance, and HR projects to enhance collaboration
- Produced project newsletters and updates to strengthen communication and keep stakeholders informed
In-house Recruiter
Bombardier
Berlin
07.2002 - 01.2003
- Optimised hiring process, enhancing collaboration between local German HR and IS management to streamline recruitment efforts.
Sales Manager / recruitment
Various
Frankfurt, Munich, London, Neuchatel
06.1996 - 01.2003
Education
A-Levels -
Presentation College
Reading01-1992
People Skills & Advanced Communication Strategies -
People School
Remote12-2023
BSc - German and European Studies with French
University of Surrey
UK06-1996
Accredited Diploma for Transformative Coaching -
Animas Centre for Coaching
Remote05-2026
Skills
- Internal communications strategy
- Change communications
- Employee engagement communications
- Stakeholder communications
- Communications measurement
- Storytelling
- Copywriting
- Cultural transformation
- Relationship building
Languages
English
First Language
German
Proficient
C2
French
Advanced
C1
Spanish
Beginner
A1
Timeline
Senior Principal | People Communications
Delivery Hero
09.2025 - 02.2026
Internal Communications & Engagement Director
AVIV Group
03.2024 - 08.2025
Head of Internal Communications
PayU
10.2020 - 03.2024
Senior Communications Manager
PayU
03.2018 - 09.2020
Global Internal Communications Manager
GfK
11.2016 - 02.2018
Regional Head of Internal Communications
Bombardier
04.2015 - 10.2016
Specialist Communication & Change Management
Bombardier
11.2005 - 04.2015
Change Management Specialist
Bombardier
02.2003 - 10.2005
In-house Recruiter
Bombardier
07.2002 - 01.2003
Sales Manager / recruitment
Various
06.1996 - 01.2003
A-Levels -
Presentation College
People Skills & Advanced Communication Strategies -
People School
BSc - German and European Studies with French
University of Surrey
Accredited Diploma for Transformative Coaching -
Animas Centre for Coaching