Brexit: ‘No Deal’ Communications Plan
In the event of the UK leaving the EU without a deal, there may be significant disruption to
both the day‐to‐day and medium‐term activity of the University. While it is impossible to
anticipate the full impact of Brexit, we will need to be prepared to communicate a high
volume of information to multiple internal audiences. The following plan outlines how this
activity will be coordinated, both centrally and within individual departments, to allow
timely, consistent and accurate information to go out.
APPROACH
Initially all communications will be produced and disseminated through the usual channels,
with approval for top‐level activity by the Brexit Working Group (BWG) and coordination
where necessary by the Corporate Communications Team. In the event of major disruption
– such as local travel issues – we will move to a more controlled, day‐to‐day Comms cycle as
we would with eg a Snow Day.
It is vital that this process is fast, responsive and adaptable so that we can address the needs
of different departments as they arise.
The Chair of the Brexit Working Group will:
Be responsible for all final sign‐off of top‐level Brexit communications, via the
Corporate Communications Team
The Brexit Working Group will:
Agree on the schedule for top‐level communications, such as all‐staff emails
Sign‐off all central messaging, policies and advice before publication
Approve requests for large‐scale communications from specific teams
Gather feedback on arising comms issues and agree priority areas for future comms
The Corporate Communications Team will:
Produce central messaging to be shared with and disseminated by teams as needed
Update central comms channels such as the website and social media as appropriate
Have oversight of all Brexit comms activity across departments, ensuring activity is
coordinated and that all essential information is displayed where it should be
Be the point‐of‐contact for Brexit comms requests and clarification across teams
Individual Departments will:
Update their own web pages and communication channels, using both central
messaging and advice specific to their audiences
Check with the Brexit Working Group via the Corporate Communications Team
ahead of sending any large‐scale Brexit communications
Direct their audiences to central Brexit advice where appropriate
KEY MESSAGES
The University is well prepared for a ‘no deal’ Brexit. We will do everything we can to
minimise disruption and ensure the day‐to‐day life of the University continues
uninterrupted as far as possible.
The Brexit Working Group has been meeting for a number of months to prepare for
all possible Brexit outcomes, bringing together key University departments including
Estates, International Partnerships, Research, Kent Union and Human Resources.
Each relevant department has a plan in place to ensure ‘business as usual’ as the UK
leaves the European Union, which has been approved by the University’s Executive
Group. We are fully committed to supporting staff and students and recognise that
many will be concerned at what is an unstable time for the country as a whole.
Across the country, the last few months have been characterised by widespread
debate and – at times – division. Whatever our differences of opinion, however, our
university is based on equality, diversity, respect and valuing each other.
We are, and will continue to be, the UK’s European University. We are proudly
outward looking, while our education and research reflect the expertise and
knowledge of our European experts. That will not change.
Our dedicated Brexit webpages will be kept up‐to‐date with latest information. Your
Head of School / Line Manager can also support you if you need it.
CHANNELS / TACTICS
CHANNEL
TACTIC
OWNER
WEBSITE
Centralised Brexit web pages, including
CC
‘Latest Updates’ section
WEBSITE
Staff (HR) and Student (IP) Brexit web pages
HR / IP / CC
with more detailed info
WEBSITE
Specific latest advice via individual
Various, EG
Department web pages
‐ Estates
WEBSITE
Leadership Blog: Specific top‐level Brexit
CC
comms as appropriate
EMAIL
Vice‐Chancellor’s Monthly Update: Top‐level
CC
Brexit comms as appropriate
EMAIL
Kent Staff Weekly: Links to key Brexit
CC
information as appropiate
EMAIL
All‐Staff emails as needed, agreed by BWG
BWG / CC
EMAIL
All‐Student emails as needed, agreed by BWG
WG / CC
EMAIL
Large‐scale emails to specific lists as
Various / CC
appropriate by Department, approved by the
Corporate Communications Team
CAMPUS ONLINE
News stories linking to wider advice as
Various / CC
appropriate
SOCIAL MEDIA
Central social media channels for updates as
CC
appropriate
SOCIAL MEDIA
Individual social media channels for updates
Various
as appropriate
SAFEZONE APP
Urgent All‐Staff and Student communications
CC, Estates
relating to Campus Security or closure
TIMELINE
ASSUMING NO FURTHER POLITICAL CHANGE
Wednesday 11 September
WEBSITE
Campus Online news story from
with reassurance on Brexit plans
EMAIL
Kent Staff Weekly to include link to Campus Online story
Tuesday 8 October
EMAIL
Vice‐Chancellor’s Monthly Update to include Brexit reassurance
ASSUMING 31 OCTOBER DEADLINE IS STILL IN PLACE FOLLOWING GENERAL ELECTION
Tuesday 22 October
NB – Timing of this will be subject to political situation; this is assuming the 31 October is
still the likely deadline
EMAIL
All‐Staff / All‐Student Emails based on VC Leadership Bulletin content
Email to all Line Managers email with advice on preparing for Brexit, including:
o Home Working policy and advice from HR
o Encouraging use of the SafeZone app
o Reminder of some increased risks and what to do about them (eg Campus
Security and Government warning around heightened ‘Phishing’ risk)
Thursday 31 October
EMAIL
All‐Staff / All‐Student Emails with VC Update, covering:
o Reassurance around University plans to mitigate the impact of Brexit
o Confirming continued commitment to Europe and our strategy
o Reminder of need for unity, respect and tolerance of different views at a time
of heightened tension both on and off campus
o Pointing to Brexit advice online
o Mention of more emails coming to specific groups with more detailed
information, eg Erasmus Students, current EU students etc
Subsequent Emails to specific groups, sent by relevant Departments:
o All current EU students, if necessary (CC)
o Kent students on Erasmus placements (International Partnerships)
o Students from partner universities on Erasmus placements at Kent (IP)
o Kent students preparing for Erasmus placements (IP)
o Students from partner universities preparing for Erasmus placement (IP)
o Heads of Schools and SAMs (IP)
WEBSITE
Central Brexit web pages updated with latest Brexit advice
Individual Brexit web pages updated with latest Brexit advice
Friday 1 November
WEBSITE
Central Brexit web pages updated with link to latest travel advice
Estates Brexit pages updated with latest travel advice
SOCIAL MEDIA
Central and Estates travel advice as appropriate
OTHER CHANNELS
As appropriate – depending on level of disruption
Ongoing
As required – depending on need and on priorities agreed by the Brexit Working
Group