Meet Charlotte Handy – Marketing and Communications Consultant at GKA!

At Gail Khan Associates, our team is at the heart of everything we do. As part of our Meet the Team series, we’re pleased to introduce Charlotte Handy, one of GKA’s highly experienced Marketing and Communications Consultants. 

Charlotte is a strategic marketing specialist and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, bringing over 20 years of experience in delivering multi‑channel marketing campaigns, leading website development projects, shaping brand strategies and developing impactful internal communications. For the past 15 years, she has worked extensively across the education and higher education sectors, providing trusted guidance to senior leaders including CEOs, Headteachers and Executive Leadership Teams. 

Charlotte has significant experience supporting Multi Academy Trusts (MAT) with their marketing and communications needs. She has worked closely with Trust leaders to develop and implement internal communications strategies designed to strengthen staff engagement, support wellbeing and improve retention, a growing priority across the sector. 

Charlotte has also supported MATs with the development and implementation of staff recruitment campaigns, helping Trusts stand out in a competitive recruitment landscape.  

In addition to her marketing expertise, Charlotte has worked with MATs undergoing mergers and new Trust formations, developing communications strategies that support smooth transitions and bring stakeholders together.  

Charlotte has played a key role in the marketing and communications for several new schools, including secondary and special schools, supporting everything from the consultation process through to official openings. Her work has included developing brand identities, uniforms, websites and a wide range of marketing collateral. 

Alongside her consultancy work, Charlotte is a Governor at a special school academy, where she serves as the link Governor for Stakeholder Engagement. 

Charlotte’s two Labradors, Hunter and Bertie, are frequent contributors to online meetings and part of the GKA extended team. Outside of work, she enjoys long walks on the beach with them. 

Why do I like working at GKA:   

“I really enjoy the variety of projects I get to work on at GKA and the opportunity to support different Multi Academy Trusts across the country. Every Trust has its own challenges and ambitions, and I love being able to add value and make a difference. I also feel incredibly lucky to work alongside such a knowledgeable and supportive team, I’ve learnt so much from them, and it’s a genuinely great team to be part of.”