I used to work as a reward specialist - creating and delivering total reward strategies for well-known UK organisations.

These compensation and benefit strategies were usually the most expensive item in the company’s budget.

They were also vital for attracting, hiring, engaging, supporting and inspiring our employees. 

Although our reward programmes were designed to drive HR and business strategy, they weren’t connecting with employees. 

People found reward complex, technical and confusing. And our all-employee emails - with a link to a dull, technical guide or intranet page - didn’t help. 

Everything changed when I left reward and re-trained as a freelance copywriter.

Over the next few years, I learned how to make complex topics clear, emotive, relatable and memorable. How to hook an audience and build connection.

One day, I was sitting at my desk with the dog snoozing nearby when I suddenly thought: “When I was working in reward, I wish I’d known everything I know now. I’d have communicated very differently.” 

It was a seed that blossomed.

Over the next few months, I secured my first reward comms clients. Which led me to become the reward communications specialist for an employee engagement agency - their go-to person for reward comms insight and copywriting.

I worked on more than 50 reward comms projects for 20 of the world’s leading companies.

And I got to see how the support the big guns had was helping them set new standards in reward comms.

Then it hit me.

I realised HR and reward teams at smaller, national firms don’t have the capacity, knowledge or skills to deliver this level of reward communication. If they’re lucky enough to have internal comms teams, they’re usually too stretched to provide the support reward teams need.

So companies are doing their best, but getting left behind.

That’s when I decided to offer reward communications to UK firms.

By channelling the unique reward and communications expertise I’d gained over the past 20 years. Giving UK companies a safe pair of hands to make their reward programmes clear, human and memorable. And inspiring employee and organisational performance as a result.  

Why is this important?

Because your business success relies on the performance of its people.

If your employees don’t understand what’s in it for them - and your managers can’t explain this to them - the huge amount you spend on your compensation and benefits is going to waste. 

Every business has a reward package. But those that communicate about it most effectively will attract the right people to their business. Inspire their employees with the programmes that drive performance and retain the talent that enables long-term success.

It just takes having the right people, with the right expertise, on-hand. Plus the willingness to take a new approach to reward communications.

The past decade has been a wild ride

I’ve been trusted to work out the hooks, angles, words and strategies to connect employees with their rewards at companies like Coca-Cola, Pets at Home and LMGIQ. And I’ve helped HR and Reward Managers, Chief People Officers and Global Total Reward Directors. Find out why my clients love working with me.

What started as a good idea is now my full-time focus.

I’ve expanded my services and my team of freelance specialists to bring you the unique support that will transform your reward communications. 

Thanks for taking the time to read my story.

If you want more inspiration and insights into tackling your reward comms, sign up to my newsletter.

Becky Hewson-Haworth

When I’m not helping businesses create fantastic reward comms, you’ll find me walking my dog on the beach, pottering in my garden or tinkling the ivories.