It is conference season for regulatory bodies, and as I meet with leaders around the world, one question continues to guide me as a partner to regulators: how do we better protect the public? Regulation has always been about professional standards, quality, continuing professional development, and complaints and discipline. With all of this and more, what binds them together as critical components of effective regulation is that protecting people depends on how well we communicate with them.
Across the sector, regulators are placing even greater focus on strengthening communications. Some are expanding the ways they connect with registrants, others are building new channels to reach the public, and many are aligning their practices with emerging trends. To support this important work, we developed the Regulatory Communication Evaluation Scorecard, which has helped regulators enhance communication strategies and broaden impact.
Drawing from our extensive regulatory communications experience, the Scorecard evaluates the health and effectiveness of a regulator’s communications across four pillars:
- Communication infrastructure
- Public and stakeholder relationship management
- Communication channels
- Alignment with regulatory and communications trends and best practices
The Scorecard applies 89 data points to paint a clear picture of an organization’s communication strengths and opportunities. It is both practical and comprehensive, combining the essentials of infrastructure and policy with the forward-looking demands of inclusion, accessibility, and transparency.
The evaluation is more than a checklist. It reflects what modern regulation requires, offering regulators an evidence-based way to understand and strengthen how they connect with the communities they serve.
What has been most rewarding is the positive impact we have seen. Regulators who have applied this methodology and acted on the recommendations report stronger communication strategies and, importantly, greater regulatory impact. Engagement has grown, accessibility has improved, and trust has been reinforced. In several cases, registrants have shared that they feel more informed and more connected to their regulator than ever before.
If you see us at one of the upcoming conferences, we would welcome a conversation. Let’s talk about the great work you are already doing, how your registrants respond, and what engagement looks like in your organization.
Together, we can explore opportunities to strengthen those efforts. The Regulatory Communication Evaluation Scorecard provides a practical and proven framework to guide that conversation, helping regulators deepen trust, demonstrate relevance, and protect the public interest.
