Event
Can a 260-year-old institution reinvent itself without losing its soul?
06 July 2026
Can a 260-year-old institution reinvent itself without losing its soul?
That was the question at the heart of our latest Echo Leadership Breakfast, hosted by RELX, where Richard Deverell CBE, Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, joined Echo Chair Sally Osman LVO to reflect on Kew's remarkable transformation over the past decade.
What emerged was not simply a story about communications, but about leadership.
Transforming perceptions of Kew from that of a much-loved if misunderstood heritage institution and visitor attraction into one which is also of the world's most influential scientific organisations has required a long-term vision, unwavering commitment and a ten-year programme of change that is ongoing. Demanding alignment across leadership, staff, students, volunteers, government, partners and supporters around a common purpose, communications acts not as a campaign but as the thread connecting strategy, culture and stakeholder trust.
Richard spoke compellingly about distilling immense scientific complexity into clear, simple and consistent narratives, communicating in language a curious 12-year-old can understand. Not because the science is simple, but because clarity builds understanding, engagement and trust.
Underlining the importance of being distinctive and relevant, Kew focuses on where it can make a unique global contribution: protecting biodiversity, informing international policy and inspiring the next generation of scientists, conservationists and citizens. That next generation is not simply tomorrow's audience; it is fundamental to the future of the organisation itself.
Perhaps the strongest takeaway was that reputation is built through consistent action over time. Leadership, internal alignment and authentic communications create the resilience and organisational agility needed to thrive in an increasingly volatile world. Reputation becomes both a strategic asset and a source of competitive advantage.
Our sincere thanks to Márcia Balisciano MBE and the RELX team for their hospitality and thoughtful opening reflections on trusted information, evidence-based decision-making and sustainable leadership. And, of course, to Richard Deverell and Sally Osman for such an inspiring and candid conversation.
These are precisely the conversations Echo seeks to convene: bringing together exceptional leaders to explore how evidence, stakeholder insight and reputation help organisations build trust, navigate change and create lasting value through clear purpose, consistent leadership and sustained action.
