About us
The Surgery was founded in 2013 by Paul Cohen and Nick Cordell, built on a heritage of graphic design, brand thinking and digital craft. From brand development, print and sponsorship activations to retail environments and digital experiences, our roots have always been in creating work with clarity, intelligence and unmistakable creative polish.
As our relationships with clients deepened, one discipline consistently drew us in: internal communications. With the insight and encouragement of client and internal comms specialist Sarah Meurer, who later joined our leadership team, we made a deliberate decision to specialise. Carly Murray soon followed, strengthening our strategic capability and helping us shape a rare blend: design thinking and internal communications working seamlessly together.
Today, Sarah has returned client‑side, but her influence runs deep. As part of her legacy, we continue to run Barn to Boardroom – the internal comms event she and Carly launched over a decade ago. Now in its eleventh year, it remains one of the sector’s most valued forums for insight, challenge and connection.
This integration of disciplines has become our hallmark. Insight sharpened by creativity. Creativity grounded in human understanding. A combined practice designed to create communication which resonates and transforms.
We’ve grown intentionally, not exponentially. A 20‑strong team, proudly independent and purposefully lean. Strategists. Designers. Brand thinkers. Writers. Internal Comms specialists. All working side by side to deliver clarity, confidence and meaningful change for some of the world’s most respected organisations.
Our studio sits in a converted barn on a working West Sussex farm, a place with room to think, challenge, create and breathe. It shapes how we work: focused, thoughtful and always curious. A setting that invites fresh thinking and fosters great ideas.
We’re proud of our blue‑chip client list. Proud of the awards we’ve earned. But most of all, proud of the impact we create – work that helps people understand, connect and move forward with confidence.
This is The Surgery.
Independent. Insight‑driven. Creatively led.
Work that works®.
What drives us
Our mission
To create work that works – strategic, insight‑led, creatively crafted solutions that move people and organisations forward.
Why we do what we do
Because when people understand, believe, and feel connected to what’s happening around them, organisations thrive. Clear, purposeful and creative communication changes everything.
What we do
We combine human insight, strategic intelligence and creative craft to deliver internal comms, EVPs, brand, design and digital solutions that align and inspire your people.
How we do it
We listen deeply, think boldly and design with intention. We cut out the unnecessary, focus on what matters and turn complex challenges into clarity – and clarity into action.
See how we can help you create a very merry festive season for your audiences…
#InternalComms #ChristmasComms #Christmas
Link in bio
How do you encourage fresh ideas in your team?
Link in bio – Our Blogs
Happy Halloween, from all of us at The Surgery
Things are getting tasty in our Great Surgery Bake Off!
For our fourth bake, our brilliant Senior Account Manager Kerri took inspiration from her GBBO partner, Molly, who left the competition during bread week.
With flatbreads, garlic bread and festive loaves on the menu, Kerri opted for a classic flavour combination, baking a roasted garlic and rosemary focaccia.
A delicious challenge and another bake to add to the Great Surgery Bake Off collection!
Do you use employee personas, and how have they helped your communications?
Link in bio – Our Blogs
The third bake of our Great Surgery Bake Off took place this week!
Our dedicated digital developer, Caian, was paired with Nikki from GBBO.
Unfortunately, Nikki had to leave the show due to a family emergency, which meant it was Caian’s turn to step up to the oven!
Nikki left during bread week, where the bakers tackled flatbreads, garlic bread and a festive loaf.
Caian chose to take on the grape and cheese flatbread recipe, and we certainly weren’t disappointed!
Check out the bake in these pictures…
What do you do when people want an AI playbook that simply doesn`t exist yet? 🤔
For the final episode of this season of Unprompted: AI in IC, we sat down with Lisa Pantelli, Senior Director of Communications – Technology and Global Product at Elsevier.
We talked about helping employees navigate AI when nobody has all the answers, balancing experimentation with responsibility, and why internal communicators have such an important role in helping people make sense of what`s changing.
💡 People are experiencing everything from curiosity and excitement to scepticism and anxiety when it comes to AI
💡 Honest communication about what we know, and what we don`t know, helps build credibility
💡 Peer-to-peer learning and experimentation are proving more valuable than relying solely on formal champion networks
💡 Security, privacy and responsible use remain some of the biggest ongoing challenges
It was a thoughtful and grounded conversation about the realities of AI adoption in a large organisation, and a great way to wrap up the season.
Link in the comments and available from all the usual places. Take a listen 👇
What`s the one meeting habit you`d love to eliminate?
https://ineedsurgery.com/the-wizards-are-in-for-a-staff-meeting-lets-hope-its-worthwhile/
