Professional Identity and Current Role
Richard Forshaw-Smith serves as the Founder and Managing Partner of RFS Marketing & Communications Ltd, based in Plymouth, England. He has been active in the communications industry since 2001, leveraging a background as a former journalist. His firm specializes in integrated marketing, communications, and fundraising strategy with a strong emphasis on digital marketing, social media strategy, and behaviour change communications.
Expertise and Key Activities
Richard’s expertise encompasses sales, business development, marketing, PR, communications, and behaviour change specialization. He provides consultancy and advisory services primarily focused on:
- Public health communications: He has produced guides for public health organizations on integrating social media effectively into their overall communication strategy.
- Organizational change and customer engagement: Notably around behaviour change in sectors such as carbon management plans.
- Fundraising and media relations: Including strategic advice for youth and community organizations within Devon (e.g., Ashburton youth centre).
- Digital marketing and business growth: Recently active in discussions around SEO and the impact of AI on content quality, noting that "SEO isn’t dead, AI still needs quality content."
Richard is also active as a public speaker and trainer, hosting “Lunch and Learn” sessions and contributing to professional development in communications strategy.
Education and Credentials
- Attended University of Kent.
- Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing.
- Thought leader in marketing and communications with contributions to public health and social media strategy literature.
Industry Engagement and Recognition
- Involved with PRWeek Awards Asia, having been named as a jury member for the 13th annual awards, reflecting influence and recognition in the communications sector.
- Published and contributed to important public health communication guides in collaboration with organizations such as the European Centre for Disease Control.
- Recognized for work integrating behaviour change theory into marketing and communications approaches.
- Appears as a speaker and author in academic and industry forums addressing communications for public health and environmental advocacy.
Online Presence and Thought Leadership
- Maintains an active LinkedIn profile: [Richard Forshaw-Smith](https://uk.linkedin.com/in/richardforshaw) which highlights his professional milestones, thought leadership content, and public health communications expertise.
- Twitter/X handle @dickstar denotes active engagement and sharing of insights on marketing, PR, behavioural science, and sales development.
- Hosts and co-hosts podcasts focusing on communications excellence and marketing strategy.
Company Overview: RFS Marketing & Communications Ltd
- Positioned as a boutique marketing and communications consultancy focusing on delivering affordable, effective marketing solutions.
- Company headquartered in Plymouth, targeting primarily regional clients including public health organizations, non-profits, and small to medium enterprises.
- Emphasizes no-nonsense, cost-effective internet marketing strategy and measurable outcomes for clients.
Relevant Activities and Insights for Strategic Engagement
Richard’s focus on behaviour change communication aligns with sectors requiring customer engagement strategies that motivate action, such as public health campaigns or environmental initiatives. His advisory role to youth services and fundraising activities indicates a practice grounded in community-centric messaging and stakeholder engagement.
He is well-versed in the nuances of social media as a tool for strategic communication, providing actionable frameworks for integration that could benefit clients looking to expand digital presence or revamp public perception.
His leadership in generating cultural change around late payments in ecommerce through affiliated campaigns also signals an interest in financial behaviour modification, business culture shifts, and advocacy through marketing communications.
In summary, Richard Forshaw-Smith stands as a seasoned communications leader with a specialized portfolio in integrated marketing, behaviour change, and public health communications. His extensive experience, academic grounding, and active presence in industry award panels and public speaking highlight his authoritative position within his field. His firm, The Comms Company (RFS Marketing & Communications Ltd), remains focused on delivering practical, measurable marketing and fundraising solutions, particularly through digital and social media channels. This profile suggests opportunities for engagement explicitly targeting behavioural influence, public health messaging, and communications strategy optimization.
