
Cobban Marketing & Communications brings together two complementary ways of working: strategic consultancy and interim and contract services. Both are grounded in the same belief, that effective marketing and communications begins with clarity.
Some organisations need structured strategic thinking before investing further in activity. Others need experienced, steady leadership to guide marketing and communications through transition, growth or change, or where a role is vacant.
In both cases, the aim is the same: to create clarity, so that marketing and communication can move forward with purpose and confidence.

Connecting what your organisation stands for (your brand promise), what your audience needs, and what your organisation wants to achieve.

Building understanding, confidence and advocacy in complex environments.

Guiding and aligning internal teams and delivery partners.

Honed through experience advising boards and senior leaders.
Experienced Head-of-level marketing and communications leadership, providing stability, direction and sound judgement during transition, change or while a role is temporarily vacant.
Focused work with leaders who want to step back, clarify direction and align marketing and communications with business priorities before investing in delivery.
Cobban Marketing & Communications is led by Fiona Cobban, with over 25 years’ experience, including working in complex, regulated and purpose-led organisations.
Fiona has held senior marketing, communications and engagement roles with organisations including NatWest Group, NHS National Services Scotland, Sky and W L Gore & Associates.
That experience helps leaders make decisions grounded in what works in practice, not just theory.
My approach is shaped by experience in environments where clarity, accountability and partnership matter.
Interim and contract roles are delivered directly by Fiona. The consultancy service, by contrast, is principal-led and works with a trusted network of specialist associates when needed. This brings the right expertise to each engagement, while retaining clear leadership, accountability and continuity.
The format differs. The thinking and ways of working do not.
Clarity before activity
Strategic thinking comes first. Activity follows with purpose.
Responsible challenge
Experience brings perspective. I offer it respectfully and constructively.
Partnership, trust and fairness
Strong working relationships are built on openness and integrity.
Commitment with care
When we commit, we do so fully, within clearly defined scope.
Calm leadership
We bring steadiness, perspective and reassurance, during change or transition.
I’ve spent much of my career working at senior level across complex, regulated and purpose-led organisations. I've helped leaders get clear on what they’re trying to achieve, align their marketing and communications, and make confident decisions about how their organisation moves forward.
A key part of my career was spent at W. L. Gore & Associates, whose culture strongly influenced how I like to work. It reinforced the importance of trust, clarity and thoughtful challenge. And it created space for people to think well, contribute fully and take responsibility for decisions, rather than rushing to activity.
Continual learning has been a consistent thread throughout my career. I hold postgraduate degrees in Marketing, in Corporate Communications & Public Affairs, and in 2025 I completed the Professional Diploma in Digital Marketing. I'm also a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing.
Outside of work...you'll usually find me walking or training my Springer Spaniels, or pressing apple juice from my small orchard to raise funds for Marie Curie. And sometimes, if I'm lucky, I play the odd round of golf!

If clarity in marketing and communication would help your organisation move forward with confidence, I'd be pleased to talk.