Who are The_Assembled?

A select band of people comms people who hit the ground winning. With experience, skills and specialisms harmoniously aligned to your needs, challenges and goals.

We’ve spent our careers living and breathing creativity, communication, employee experience and engagement. Experts in our field, we’re as passionate, curious, and energetic as the day we started.

We’re thinkers, doers and deliverers, handpicked to add real, consistent value from the very first conversation. A team tailored to you, where your things get done. More of what you need. Less of what you don’t.

We work at the speed of momentum. Getting your people where they need to be, to take your organisation where it has to be.

Passionate, curious and energetic as the day we started about employee communication in the workplace and people engagement to progress through people.
Gemma McGrattan and Giles Hicks, Directors of The Assembled, experts in creativity and communications for enhancing company culture, employee and team engagement, employee experience best practices and internal communications
Our story running a successful employee experience and internal communications agency

For over 30 years, our passion for creativity and communications has helped us solve people and engagement challenges for global brands, engaging employees across the world.

From dining room table to board room. Over 17 years we co-founded, grew, and sold our creative employee comms and engagement business to one of the ‘Big Six’ global agency networks.

This experience has taught us a lot. About business growth, about inspiring people, the power of creativity, the importance of building culture and delivering a brilliant employee experience from hire to retire.


Gemma McGrattan, expert in how to improve employee engagement, internal communications and workplace culture change

Director

A strategic thinker, employee engagement and communications expert, powerhouse of ideas, and a bundle of positive energy, I’m known for motivating teams and relentlessly driving progress.

Experienced in culture, employee engagement/experience, leadership, and marketing & business development, I’ve partnered HR and people teams for global brands, enhancing employee experiences.

> Non-Executive Director accredited - Non-Executive Directors Association

> NatWest Business Accelerator mentor


Giles Hicks, Creative Director, expert in creativity, creative thinking, creative skills and helping creative teams think creatively

Creative Director

I’m an experienced and competent creative leader and creative thinker. I’ve enjoyed a 30+ year career in design, advertising, marketing, communications, and engagement.

My long career in creative agencies means I have vast experience in many disciplines, so any creative challenge can be met. As a Creative Director, I can walk the walk, as well as talk the talk - leading creative teams, creative concepts, ideas, art direction, inspiration, guidance, and direction.

I built and managed the infrastructure of our busy, multi-million-pound creative agency, handled all legal matters, and managed the M&A process, negotiating with several international interested parties, and the eventual acquisition by a global network.


Led by us

Trusted friends and collaborators: Thinkers, doers, creators, writers, strategists, designers, psychologists, trainers, facilitators, producers, film-makers, marketers, and HR specialists.


Gemma McGrattan and Giles Hicks, experts in people engagement, workplace communication, creative thinking hosting a team engagement session.
Gemma McGrattan, employee communication expert and workshop facilitator. Facilitating a workshop on business development strategy and strategy for business growth.
Giles Hicks, Creative Director facilitating a workshop on creativity, creative thinking and developing creative skills
Gemma McGrattan, expert in corporate culture and employee engagement strategy talking about preparing for sale, selling your company and poster merger integration
Giles Hicks, Creative Director, inspiring a creative team, thinking creatively and problem solving.