Reputation Labs
Focused. Hands-on.
Reputation Labs are focused training sessions for communications, marketing and reputation professionals working in or with the defence and security sector.
Small groups. Expert-led. CIPR accredited. You arrive with a real challenge from your organisation. You leave with something you've built — tested, refined and ready to use.
Why Canny Comms created this
Not a conference. A lab.
A conference gives you inspiration. A Lab gives you implementation. You don't sit in an audience — you work on your own challenges with direct expert support, in a room of no more than 24 people who understand your operating environment.
Every Lab follows the same structure, every Lab delivers the same promise: you leave with something you can use.
- Small groups
- You own create a deliverable you take back to your desk.
- Half day or full day
- Expert-led
- CIPR accredited. 10 CPD points
- Expect a call two weeks after the session to troubleshoot implementation.
The venues
The Agenda
Standard rate:
Half day £495 + VAT
Full day £895 + VAT
ADS Group & Make UK Defence members:
20% discount
Half day £395 + VAT
Full day £695 + VAT
Current Canny clients
Discounted rates for existing Canny Comms clients are available — contact your account lead or email info@canny-comms.co.uk.
What's included:
- Expert-led session following the Lab structure
- Lab kit (tools, templates, prompts and frameworks)
- Something you've built during the session — tested with expert feedback
- Lab check-in call (2 weeks post)
- Refreshments
Full day delegates also receive:
- Certificate + 10 CIPR CPD points
- Extended application workshops and policy building
- The Clinic — direct expert input on your most pressing challenge
- Team rollout plan for embedding what you've learned
- Lunch
The Reputation Labs programme covers the capabilities defence communicators need most. Each Lab is a standalone session — attend one or build your expertise across the series.
The programme
Technical storytelling
Make the complex clear. Translate brilliant technology into narratives that land with military users, policymakers and investors.
Measuring communications impact
Not outputs but outcomes.
Media and reputation readiness
Handle the interview. Manage the crisis. Prepare spokespeople for the questions they hope they'll never get.
Thought leadership and profile building
Own your narrative territory. Build authority, visibility and influence in a sector where credibility is everything.
The pitch
Win the room. Sharpen how you articulate value — whether it's an investor pitch, a capability presentation or a bid narrative.
Navigating UK Defence
Understand how UK defence buys, decides and communicates. The biggest gap for international entrants and innovative SMEs.
Digital presence and content
LinkedIn, website, video, social — done properly for defence and security. Not consumer marketing with a camouflage filter.
Crisis and issues prep
Tabletop scenarios. Pressure-tested plans. The session you hope you'll never need — and the one you'll be glad you did. (Full day only.)
Want a topic?
Get in touch if there's a topic you'd like to see here!
Who Reputation Labs are for
Reputation Labs are designed for professionals who work in or with defence and security and need to develop a specific communications capability — not just hear about it, but build it.
- Communications and PR leads who need to demonstrate impact, improve media readiness or develop a measurement framework that satisfies the board
- Marketing and BD directors sharpening how they position complex capabilities for military users, investors or export markets
- CEOs and founders of defence SMEs who are the voice of their company and need to get the story right
- Government communications teams across MOD and the wider national security community who want practical, accredited training
- Anyone who attended Reputation Masterclass and thought "I need to go deeper on that topic"
Why Canny Comms built Reputation Labs
We created Reputation Masterclass to give defence communicators their own event. We created Reputation Labs because one day a year isn't enough.
The Masterclass shows you the big picture — the trends, the thinking, the people shaping the sector. But we kept hearing the same question afterwards: "That was brilliant. Now how do I actually do it?"
Labs are the answer. Small groups, real challenges, practical outputs. The same sector expertise and CIPR accreditation as the Masterclass, but focused on one topic at a time, with the space and support to turn insight into action.
The Masterclass gives you the landscape. The Labs give you the tools.
Venues
Reputation Labs are held at locations across the UK, chosen for accessibility and the right working environment. Current venues include:
Porton Science Park, Wiltshire Canny's home turf, in the heart of the UK's defence science corridor. Conference facilities, parking, and easy access from the A303 and Salisbury station.
Central London Labs are also held in London at partner venues with excellent transport links. Exact locations are confirmed to delegates when booking.
Venue details for each Lab are shown on the booking page.
February 2027: Reputation Masterclass
Reputation Labs are the deep dive. Reputation Masterclass is the big picture. Together, they're the most comprehensive development programme for defence and security communicators in the UK.
Early bird tickets for RM27 are on sale now — just £150 + VAT.
Be first to hear about new Labs
We announce new Lab dates and topics throughout the year. Leave your details and we'll let you know when booking opens.