Previous Awards - 2009

Newcomer of the Year

Lucy Grove

Since joining Grayling in 2007, Lucy Grove has worked tirelessly to make a difference to the company and her clients. Her ability to deliver and her infectious personality mean that she is seen by all of her clients as a crucial element of their account teams – their ‘go-to’ consultant.

Grove works for clients across a broad range of sectors and has quickly become an expert in a number of highly technical areas – from regulation to the NHS. She is also trusted to work on a number of complex and confidential issues.

Her work has included training a client for the high-profile inquiry into the banking crisis by the Treasury Select Committee and succinctly briefing MPs on contentious planning issues. She also works with clients in other high-profile areas such as government IT projects, pharmaceuticals and foreign affairs.

Grove began her career at Grayling as an intern while studying for an MSc in Public Affairs and Lobbying. Once employed full time, she quickly gained a reputation as a first-class researcher with a forensic attention to detail but an understanding of the ‘bigger picture’. Not surprisingly she was quickly promoted to an account executive. Her appetite for a challenge also led her to develop her skills by working closely with the agency’s events teams.

Grove has helped Grayling to win a number of new-business pitches with her creative thinking, enthusiasm and passion for politics. She has also devoted her time to helping promote the public affairs industry. This has included working on Grayling’s submission to the PASC inquiry into lobbying, helping to prepare representatives from the PRCA, APPC and CIPR for their appearance before the committee and by encouraging university students to consider public affairs consultancy as a career by speaking at her former university, Brunel.

It is a testament to her dedication and determination to succeed that she has managed to progress so quickly and it was no surprise that she was awarded a Distinction in her Masters.

*** Lucy Grove left leaving Grayling on 21 May to join Macmillan Cancer Support’s public affairs team.

Political Journalist of the Year

Justin Webb

The international political highlight of the last year was undoubtedly the US presidential election. As the world waited to see who would become America’s next leader, Justin Webb became a familiar voice. As the BBC’s North America editor for several years, Webb was already a well-known name for listeners of the Today Programme.

From Hillary Clinton’s tears during the primaries to Joe the Plumber turning up the heat on Barack Obama; from the new puppy in the White House to President Obama’s handling of the economy, Justin Webb provided insightful and in-depth coverage. He also helped open up the workings of the White House to readers of his blog.

To top off a huge year for Webb, the BBC announced in December that he will be replacing Ed Stourton as a presenter on the Today Programme in October. Listeners will be waiting to see if Webb’s experience of ‘Obamania’ has gone any way to preparing him for a studio confrontation with a particularly grumpy government minister before breakfast!

Politician of the Year

Lord Mandelson

Lord Mandelson has returned to domestic politics in the past year - to the surprise of many and the consternation of a few.

Mandelson’s reappointment to the Cabinet last October was a personal triumph, a second comeback for a politician written off after two enforced resignations. It was all the more surprising as he was brought back into Government by his erstwhile rival, Gordon Brown.

It was a game-changing moment for the Labour Party, which - momentarily - derailed the Conservative advance on Number 10 and put Labour back into contention by removing Gordon Brown’s reputation for lack of decisiveness and boldness.

Mandelson’s return appeared to quash the perennial infighting between Blairites and Brownites that has plagued Labour and came to a head with the resignations of junior members of the Government just before the 2008 Party Conference. It is now impossible for ultra-Blairites to criticise Brown when one of his closest advisers is the Blairite sans-pareil Mandelson, the ‘Bobby’ that Blair himself thanked for his 1994 leadership victory; and of whom he later said: “My project will be complete when the Labour Party learns to love Peter.”

Back at BERR, Mandelson has thrown himself into combating the effects of the recession. He has transformed a previous declining power in Whitehall into an interventionist department at the heart of the Government’s economic recovery strategy.

Mandelson has taken swift decisions to rescue ailing manufacturing companies, but linked these to requirements to contribute to the Government’s environmental policy priorities by converting to developing green products such as electric vehicles.

Mandelson has not been afraid to confront traditional Labour movement sacred cows such as public ownership of Royal Mail. Arguing that to stand any chance of winning a fourth term, Labour must be the “change-makers” in British politics, he has made a powerful case for private-sector investment in Royal Mail in order to fund the changes the business needs to make to survive.

Voluntary Sector Campaign of the Year

Macmillan Cancer Support

The prescription charges exemption system in England had not been reformed in 40 years. Around 150,000 cancer patients were paying hundreds of pounds in charges for life-saving treatment, and Macmillan was receiving daily requests for help.

The Government agreed to a public consultation on an ‘expenditure-neutral’ review of the exemption system in July 2007 following a recommendation in the Health Select Committee’s NHS Charges report.

Macmillan’s objective was to secure a prescription charge exemption for cancer patients. The charity used a range of campaigning tools to shape the environment around which Ministers were making decisions.

Macmillan undertook research which found that nearly half of cancer patients were being forced to cut back on food and heating to pay for their prescriptions.

This research, alongside powerful stories of patients in poverty, proved effective in generating media activity. The charity secured nearly 400 pieces of coverage during its campaign.

There was also a steady flow of Parliamentary Questions, 125 EDM signatures and relationships built with groups such as the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain and the Fabian Society.

Macmillan also used public campaigners, corporate partners and Macmillan professionals effectively. More than 1,000 people wrote to their local MP to ask them to raise the issue with Government, and more than 4,000 letters were written to newspapers.

The charity had private meetings with Ministers and raised the issue at public meetings. It also targeted Ministers in their constituencies, and lobbied special advisers.

The charity was delighted when Gordon Brown announced plans in his 2008 party conference speech to abolish prescription charges for cancer patients and undertake a wider review of the exemption system.

The Department of Health said it was Macmillan’s campaign that convinced policymakers to act immediately to help cancer patients.

Barbara, from Norfolk, was one of the cancer patients who helped with Macmillan’s campaign. She said: “Free prescriptions will transform my life and thousands of others with cancer. I was so ecstatic when I got the news that I shared it with everyone in the train carriage.”

Following additional negotiations with Macmillan, free prescriptions for cancer patients came into effect from 1 April 2009.

Private Sector Campaign of the Year

British Property Federation

On 1 April 2008, the Government removed a long-standing tax relief for commercial properties at an estimated cost of £950m per year.

The campaign against ‘empty rates’ fell naturally into the lap of the British Property Federation (BPF), representing those that own, manage and invest in UK property. The BPF quickly realised that its calls would fall on deaf ears in Whitehall, unless it could relate the heightened tax burden to everyday individuals – pensioners, small-business owners, and localities in need of regeneration.

By bringing together voices of business including the Federation of Small Businesses, the CBI, the British Chambers of Commerce, and the British Retail Consortium, the BPF began collecting evidence, through a campaign ‘hotline’ and the established networks and channels of the other campaign partners, about pensioners losing all their savings, demolitions of perfectly good buildings, and laudable regeneration schemes being scrapped.

The BPF led the campaign via three routes: press/media, Parliament and Government. Its efforts achieved more than 500 articles in the print media, more than 150 interviews in the broadcast media, support from more than 125 MPs from all political parties (including the Government’s chief whip, Nick Brown MP), and more than 5,500 signatures on its Number 10 petition.

The campaign gained the support of Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), Urban Regeneration Companies, the Mayor of London, various councils, Property Week and the Daily Mail. The BPF put together a letter to the Chancellor along with Property Week that included signatures from McDonalds, British Airways, Asda, British Land, Prudential, Westfield, Tesco and Nokia. Lastly, the BPF with support from Asda, developed a campaign website aimed at empowering all businessmen to become part of the campaign by writing to their MPs and signing up to the Number 10 petition.

In the Pre-Budget Report the Chancellor increased the exemption on empty rates for one year, which will help more than 70 per cent of properties.

While a success, the other 30 per cent of properties are in much need of help during these woeful economic times and the campaign therefore continues, refocusing its energies on the longer term and a possible conservative government.

Public Sector Campaign of the Year

Smokefree North West

The objectives of Smokefree Northwest (SFNW) - a region-wide initiative funded by all 24 Primary Care Trusts were to help various groups in the North West to respond to the government consultation on the future of tobacco control, and to offer the public an opportunity to express their support for further measures to protect children and young people from the harm caused by tobacco.

The strategy was to create a groundswell of public opinion in the region in response to the government consultation, and to engage MPs and amplify the campaign through regional and national media.

SFNW held a launch event, attended by more than 160 people, including local government leaders. 150,000 postcards were produced and distributed across the region, asking people to support the new legislation, proposals for restrictions on young people’s access to cigarette vending machines, and the removal of cigarette retail displays.

SFNW highlighted the issue of tobacco marketing to children, and the need to restrict it, to all the North West’s 72 MPs. Responses from members of the public were analysed by constituency, demonstrating support for further measures to protect children from tobacco to the MPs. Tailored releases were issued to local press, highlighting both public and MP support for the campaign. SFNW briefed the regional and national media on the wave of support being generated in the region.

As a result of the postcard campaign, the Department of Health received an overwhelming 60,000 pledges of support from individual members of the public in the North West, the biggest response in the country. SFNW gained active support from 45 MPs, including 10 ministers, which included the North West Regional Minister.

Forty-four pieces of positive media coverage were generated regionally, in addition to four national pieces of coverage. The timescale coincided with the Department of Health consultation on the future of tobacco control, and the passage of the proposed Health Bill.

Outstanding Contribution of the Year

Vivien Hepworth

Vivien Hepworth’s contribution to the industry is - without question - outstanding. She is a consultant whose political and commercial nous is valued by her clients; an inspirational leader; and a compelling ambassador for the industry, constantly striving to increase awareness and understanding of public affairs.

Hepworth entered the profession in 1988 when she joined Westminster Strategy – the public affairs arm of Grayling – as a senior account executive. Her talent was quickly recognised and in just over a year she was promoted to director. This rise reflected her ability to win new business, deliver for clients and retain them.

She left Grayling 1997 to work in the voluntary sector. She returned in 2002 as chief executive of Grayling Political Strategy - a position she held until April 2008 when she became UK executive chairman of Grayling UK and Brussels.

Over her career she has worked a wide range of clients including working with Roche to uphold its position in what was then the biggest-ever class action in the UK.

She led the team that provided public affairs and public relations advice to Grantham Hospital and other regional health authorities over the infamous case of Beverley Allitt, the nurse who murdered several children in her care. More recently she led the team advising the postal services regulator to put the case for sustained reform in the mail sector and worked with a leading health think-tank to redefine and reposition itself.

Hepworth still has a hands-on approach, leading the team supporting cultural and urban renaissance in the East of England as well as the team advising Team Stadium for the 2012 Olympics.

From the start she has championed the public affairs industry, articulating to all her belief that it is a force for good.

Most recently, in the January edition of Public Affairs News she took on Nick Hurd MP in a two-page feature, debating with him over his report that criticised public-sector spending on public affairs.

She has had a lasting and positive influence of the careers of hundreds of consultants. She is immensely well respected and her advice is constantly sought. But, most of all, she is fun.

Trade Body of the Year

Association of Independent Financial Advisers

AIFA is an effective, dynamic and influential trade association that has grown to represent approximately 85 per cent of the IFA community. Its lobbying successes stretch from the European Parliament, to the Treasury, through to the FSA.

It has capitalised on this success by developing two sister trade bodies – the Association of Mortgage Intermediaries and the Association of Finance Brokers.

Despite having just 14 members of staff, the output this small organisation produces, and its influence and standing within regulatory circles, belies its size and resources.

AIFA’s most significant achievement during the past year was its lobbying on the Retail Distribution Review (RDR) where the FSA recognised the validity of many of AIFA’s arguments in its interim report. AIFA called for a clear distinction between ‘advice’ and ‘sales’ and it achieved its goal.

AIFA’s call for the minimum threshold qualification for financial advisers to be raised to QCA Level 4 was also recognised by the FSA, as well as calls to end provider input into remuneration. All of these measures develop the financial advice profession at the same time as greatly benefiting consumers.

In 2008 AIFA produced a 'Manifesto for Advice', which served to represent the growing need for financial advice and AIFA’s desire to communicate the value of that advice to a wide audience. The document gained wide cross-party political support, as well as the backing of consumer organisations. AIFA has also produced research into how trust can be restored in financial services, as well as a landmark study into decumulation, both of which have gained widespread political backing.

In respect of innovation and creativity, AIFA has been particularly active on the web, with much of its activities conducted online including newsflashes, live discussions, member surveys, blogs, microsites and specific member-interest sites.

AIFA is also in the process of establishing a social networking site for its members, as well as online learning facilities.

Think-tank of the Year

Green Alliance

Green Alliance is not a typical think-tank. Like many others, its work is consistently innovative, well argued, and compelling. But unlike many others, Green Alliance works closely with allies in the private and voluntary sectors, and thus generates ideas that are widely supported and influential on both sides of the political spectrum.

Green Alliance understands what drives political decisions, and has been on the inside track in bringing climate change and environmental issues into the political mainstream. It has earned a formidable reputation in the political and business communities, and of the voluntary sector. Few (if any) organisations have relationships of trust with such a diverse group of interested parties.

The diversity of Green Alliance’s funding demonstrates this clearly, with more than 30 companies, ten NGOs and several government departments among its funders in 2008.

Its events are now firmly established as key moments in the politics of the environment. The two most significant speeches by the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats in 2008 were made by George Osborne and Nick Clegg to Green Alliance audiences, following Gordon Brown and David Cameron in 2007.

Its primary achievements in 2008 fall into two categories. First, it has had a major impact in UK and European policy. Its pamphlet on the EU budget and climate change has been influential in London, Brussels and elsewhere and helped to shape the Commission’s statement in autumn 2008. Its work on carbon capture and storage has been crucial in building broad support for the public investment needed to bring it to market. The new government strategy on heat is in large part due the broad coalition it established and led in 2007-2008.

Second, Green Alliance has had a big impact on the politics of climate change. The Green Standard report in September 2008 assessed the performance of the three main parties in 2008 and helped persuade Nick Clegg to give this agenda more prominence. Finally, The New Politics of Climate Change: Why We are Failing and How We Will Succeed, by Green Alliance director Stephen Hale, outlined a new approach and has been highly influential in politics and the voluntary sector.

UK In-House Team of the Year

Macmillan Cancer Support

Macmillan’s public affairs team of three had an eye-catchingly successful 2008, with two major campaigning victories that will significantly improve the lives of people affected by cancer.

The charity was delighted when Gordon Brown announced plans in September to abolish prescription charges for 150,000 cancer patients. The Department of Health said it was Macmillan’s high-profile campaign that persuaded them to act immediately. Other long-term conditions will have to wait for the outcome of a review later in the year.

The charity also played a leading role in the debate on ‘top-up fees’ for drugs, persuading Ministers that more treatments could be made available within the NHS through system reforms.

The charity also ran a successful campaign to highlight the inconsistency of access to drugs, which led the Government to produce better guidelines for making local funding decisions. As a consequence, far more cancer patients will be able to access cancer treatments quickly and freely within the NHS.

Both triumphs reflected the successful integration of the Cancerbackup and Macmillan public affairs teams following the merger of the two charities in April 2008.

The newly integrated team also looked to work more effectively with other Macmillan teams. It worked with regional teams on the prescription charges campaign to target Ministers in their constituencies, and with the fundraising team to pilot the use of campaigning messages at fundraising events.

The final quarter of 2008 saw the charity launch a campaign to combat ‘fuel poverty’. According to NFP Synergy, within four months, two-thirds of all MPs had done something to support the campaign.

The PA team also provides the secretariat to the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Cancer, which continues to be one of the most influential APPGs.

Throughout the year managers have provided the team with regular opportunities for greater responsibility and personal development, leading to one well deserved promotion. Of particular note was successful job-swap between the charity’s public affairs assistant and an MP’s researcher.

In all, 2008 was a fantastic year that far exceeded the charity’s expectations.

UK Consultancy of the Year

Weber Shandwick Public Affairs

Weber Shandwick Public Affairs bucked the recession to show year-on-year growth in 2008-2009. According to the APPC register, the agency now has 43 consultants UK-wide, compared to 40 at the same point in 2008. The agency has also register client-growth, increasing from 94 to 92.

Among the prestigious new clients were De La Rue, the Health & Safety Executive, Reed Business Information Services, O&H Properties, the Broads Authority, Singapore Airlines, NHS London, MasterCard, Whizz-Kidz and Bristol Myers Squibb.

But the real powerhouse behind the agency’s commercial success has been organic growth from existing clients such as Balfour Beatty, Barclays, Abbott and the Dispensing Doctors’ Association.

Successful campaigns this year that WS has advised on have included: Virgin Media’s campaign to get regulatory authorities to rule that BSkyB should divest its stake in ITV; BPEX’s ‘Pigs Are Worth It!’ campaign, which harnessed public and political support for UK welfare standards to put pressure on supermarkets to raise the price paid for pork; Abbott’s ‘Fit for Work’ collaboration with the Work Foundation, whose recommendations have fed into government policy; and the Dispensing Doctors Association’s campaign on the Pharmacy White Paper, which forced a U-turn by Government on its plans to change the stage at which a GP can dispense, after winning support from scores of MPs.

WS has shown its innovative approach by building digital campaigning into the vast majority of its campaigns and working with its experts on multi-cultural communications to reach non-traditional audiences. The agency claims to be the only PA agency to use a strategic planner to offer insights and techniques from the advertising world.

Professional development in WS starts at the point of entry with a comprehensive graduate programme. Continuous Professional Development (CPD) is supported through a competency-based performance management process.

UK Consultant of the Year

Tamora Langley

Since joining Weber Shandwick five years ago, Tamora Langley has thrived with four promotions, most recently in 2007 to director.

She has created a specialist healthcare public affairs team and won numerous health clients for Weber Shandwick, spanning the NHS and NICE, the pharmaceutical and medical technology sector, patient charities and professional bodies.

She is respected for a talent for humanising technical issues and bringing them to life in campaigns that use the full range of communications tools to effect policy change. She has led award-winning campaigns in the past year.

Working with a multi-disciplinary team of agencies for the British Pig Executive, it was her campaign idea - ‘Pigs Are Worth It!’ - that the client opted to use. Her strategic advice across the year-long campaign was central to its successes: securing an Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee (EFRA) inquiry, ministerial commitments, TV chief Jamie Oliver and a Conservative campaign for ‘Honest Labelling’.

Langley is a trusted adviser to global healthcare company Abbott and has managed a series of campaigns for the client, notably its ‘Fit for Work’ collaboration with the Work Foundation, whose recommendations have fed into government policy. She led the Dispensing Doctors Association’s campaign that forced a U-turn by Government last year after winning support from scores of MPs.

Overall, Langley is an invaluable member of the WS team and the highest-billing director in the firm’s public affairs practice. For her tenacity in winning new clients she won Weber Shandwick’s ‘New Business Consultant of the Year 2008’ against competition from the company’s eight other practices.

MPs and Peers of all parties have commented on the quality and honesty of the briefings she provides, and will turn to her for a considered opinion. Her integrity above all contributes to promoting the professional status of political consultancy.

Langley currently leads 12 account teams and is excellent at prioritising, always making time to support and coach junior staff.