diff --git a/bioimageio_collection_backoffice/db_structure/version_info.py b/bioimageio_collection_backoffice/db_structure/version_info.py
index 3862786..7160ec6 100644
--- a/bioimageio_collection_backoffice/db_structure/version_info.py
+++ b/bioimageio_collection_backoffice/db_structure/version_info.py
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@
 class _StatusBase(Node, frozen=True):
     timestamp: datetime = pydantic.Field(default_factory=datetime.now)
     run_url: Optional[str] = settings.run_url
+    icon: str = "🛈"
 
 
 class _DraftStatusBase(_StatusBase, frozen=True):
@@ -35,31 +36,36 @@ def _validate_num_steps(self):
 class UnpackingStatus(_DraftStatusBase, frozen=True):
     name: Literal["unpacking"] = "unpacking"
     step: Literal[1] = 1
+    icon: str = "📦"
 
 
 class UnpackedStatus(_DraftStatusBase, frozen=True):
     name: Literal["unpacked"] = "unpacked"
     description: str = "staging was successful; awaiting automated tests to start ⏳"
     step: Literal[2] = 2
+    icon: str = "⏳"
 
 
 class TestingStatus(_DraftStatusBase, frozen=True):
     name: Literal["testing"] = "testing"
     step: Literal[3] = 3
+    icon: str = "🧪"
 
 
 class AwaitingReviewStatus(_DraftStatusBase, frozen=True):
     name: Literal["awaiting review"] = "awaiting review"
     description: str = (
         "Thank you for your contribution! 💪"
-        "Our bioimage.io maintainers will take a look soon. 🦒"
+        "Our bioimage.io maintainers will take a look soon."
     )
     step: Literal[4] = 4
+    icon: str = "🧐"
 
 
 class ChangesRequestedStatus(_DraftStatusBase, frozen=True):
     name: Literal["changes requested"] = "changes requested"
     step: Literal[5] = 5
+    icon: str = "🔧"
 
 
 class AcceptedStatus(_DraftStatusBase, frozen=True):
@@ -68,6 +74,7 @@ class AcceptedStatus(_DraftStatusBase, frozen=True):
         "This staged version has been accepted by a bioimage.io maintainer and is about to be published."
     )
     step: Literal[5] = 5
+    icon: str = "👍"
 
 
 class PublishedDraftStatus(_DraftStatusBase, frozen=True):
@@ -76,6 +83,7 @@ class PublishedDraftStatus(_DraftStatusBase, frozen=True):
     name: Literal["published"] = "published"
     description: str = "published! (this draft will be deleted shortly)"
     step: Literal[6] = 6
+    icon: str = "🎉"
 
 
 DraftStatus = Annotated[
@@ -98,6 +106,7 @@ class ErrorStatus(_StatusBase, frozen=True):
     message: str
     traceback: List[str]
     during: Optional[DraftStatus]
+    icon: str = "🔴"
 
 
 class DraftInfo(Node, frozen=True):
diff --git a/bioimageio_collection_backoffice/remote_collection.py b/bioimageio_collection_backoffice/remote_collection.py
index 7378c5e..7907610 100644
--- a/bioimageio_collection_backoffice/remote_collection.py
+++ b/bioimageio_collection_backoffice/remote_collection.py
@@ -867,18 +867,17 @@ def request_changes(self, reviewer: str, reason: str):
         # map reviewer id to name
         for r in self.collection.config.reviewers:
             if reviewer == r.id:
-                reviewer = r.name
                 break
+        else:
+            raise ValueError(reviewer)
 
-        self._set_status(ChangesRequestedStatus(description=reason))
+        description = (
+            f'<a href= "mailto: {r.email}"> {r.name}</a> requested changes: {reason}'
+        )
+        plain_description = f"{r.name} requested changes: {reason}"
+        self._set_status(ChangesRequestedStatus(description=description))
         self.extend_chat(
-            Chat(
-                messages=[
-                    Message(
-                        author="system", text=f"{reviewer} requested changes: {reason}"
-                    )
-                ]
-            )
+            Chat(messages=[Message(author="system", text=plain_description)])
         )
 
     @log