Citywealth Leaders List, 60 second interview – Heidi Mallace, Curayio communications consultancy

Date: 25 Feb 2026

Karen Jones

This week’s 60 seconds Citywealth Leaders List interview is dedicated to Heidi Mallace, Co-Founder, Curayio communications consultancy.

Tell Citywealth readers a bit about your role

I make people’s communications shine, in person, on camera and online. I co-founded Curayio, my communications consultancy, three years ago with a clear purpose: to equip clients with the communication strategies and skills to fuel their success. Not by chance. By intent. Whether it’s a presentation a client has to nail or a need to build their visibility, I ensure they communicate with greater clarity and confidence. 

What does a typical day look like for you?

Expect the unexpected. Having worked in communications and reputation management for over 25 years, you become accustomed to it. I never quite know when a client will contact me needing to prepare for an event, seize a brand-building opportunity or navigate a complex issue.

I also spend a lot of time writing content. This ranges from articles and newsletters to social media posts and speeches. People often ask me whether there’s still a need for this with AI platforms like ChatGPT. My resounding answer is yes. Used wisely, AI is a helpful tool. But credible, high-quality content that truly connects and resonates with audiences remains a craft.

Tell us about some recent, interesting client instructions

So far this year, I have prepared a Swiss client for an event in Zurich and a live webinar with over 450 attendees. I’ve written a communications strategy for one of London’s oldest law firms, prepared a consultancy to present to 120 lawyers, and I’m currently planning a series of communication training workshops and 1:1 coaching programmes with a Fortune 500 technology company in the US. The diversity of my clients is one of the things I enjoy most about what I do.

What challenges do your clients face and how do you overcome them?

63% of the general population reports public speaking anxiety, according to recent research published by Frontiers. Leaders and executives are no exception.

Clients often come to me to transform that anxiety into composed, confident performances. I identify their strengths, pinpoint where their communication can be sharper, and work with them to refine their content and delivery for maximum impact. 

What is your proudest professional achievement?

Enabling others to achieve their professional ambitions through more compelling communications makes me feel proud every day. That’s why co-founding Curayio – which translates from Greek as courage – stands out as my proudest professional achievement.

What do you consider to be the most important attributes for a leader?

Resilience, compassion and communication.

Leadership is a rollercoaster, so resilience and tenacity are essential to keep moving forward when things get tough. Compassion towards yourself and others is equally critical. Compassionate leadership builds trust, loyalty and long-term performance.

Communication, though, shapes everything. Your reputation, relationships, revenue and day-to-day outcomes. It’s a prerequisite to successful leadership. The leaders I respect most are those who are willing to keep learning, growing and evolving. Communication is no exception to that. 

Who do you most admire and why?

I most admire people who are bold, brave and committed to making a difference. Two communicators I particularly admire are Barack Obama and the late Maya Angelou. Their eloquence, energy and ability to win hearts and minds through words and emotion are outstanding. 

Where was the last place you travelled to for work or pleasure?

I was recently in Zurich supporting a client at an event, just 48 hours after returning from a holiday in Kerala and Mumbai, India. Quite a contrast, but both equally enriching.

If you weren’t in this industry, what else might you be doing?

Hospitality. Instead of making people look and sound good, I would focus on making them feel good!

How do you relax after a long day?

My friends and partner call me “Heidi Potter” because I love pottering around the house. It’s mindfulness for me. In the summer, I spend time playing with my pots and plants on the terrace. Watching things grow and flourish is incredibly satisfying. Metaphorically speaking, it’s very much what I do professionally.

If you could recommend one person in the private wealth industry, who would it be and why?

Joshua Rubenstein. He is consistently supportive, generous with his time and always creates opportunities to connect people. This includes regularly inviting me to what we call “the best table ever” at events like Citywealth. Anyone who has been on his table will know exactly what I mean.

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