Results 2024
Best Agency- Corporate and/or Financial Comms
MHP Group
In 2023 we achieved 12.5% topline revenue growth for corporate and financial work in a challenging UK market, winning major clients including three FTSE250 companies, two FTSE 100s, four unicorns and two of the world’s leading investment funds. We also invested in new capabilities to deliver a truly integrated approach to corporate and...
Dentons Global Advisors
Despite economic uncertainty and a challenging market, DGA has had an outstanding year. Since we launched on the coattails of the Covid Pandemic in 2021, the UK and EMEA team has gone from strength to strength, increasing revenue by 38% at the end of 2023. Growth from 2022 to 2023 was 24%. Overall, our client base across the region has...
FINN Partners
Finn Partners, a leading communications agency in corporate and financial communications, has solidified its status in the industry through strategic client engagement and a robust track record. The agency has excelled in navigating the complex macro environment of 2023, marked by high inflation and geopolitical unrest. This agility ha...
Best Agency- Public Affairs
Field Consulting
November 2022 through to November 2023 was a phenomenal period for Field Consulting. This period saw 48% growth in fee income and profit margins hit levels over 25%. Client satisfaction and retention was high, and we delivered organic growth across 50% of our clients, with 12 new client wins across all our core sectors specialism...
Cavendish
Cavendish’s journey since the 2022 MBO stands as a true testament to transformation with full employee engagement. The rebranding from BECG to Cavendish in June 2023 was more than a name change; it represented a profound shift in company culture and employee engagement. This shift was exemplified by 19 employees becoming shareholders, ...
iNHouse Communications
Over the past year, iNHouse Communications has experienced its fastest growth period, with a 26% increase in earnings to £3.25 million and expanding its client base by 27%. The agency’s team also grew by 36%, incorporating roles such as the first managing director and head of media. Key client acquisitions include Airbnb, Arup, ...
Best Agency- Pharma/Healthcare Comms
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Virgo Health AOTY
Best Corporate Internal Comms or Employee Engagement Campaign
Winning Together
Teneo
Client: Tesco
Tesco launched its new purpose – serving our customers, communities and planet a little better every day – in the midst of the pandemic. Since then, ongoing volatility, war in Ukraine and rising inflation has intensified the competitive landscape and Tesco’s continued success depends on its global workforce rallying behind this purpose...
Making It Click
Aviva
At Aviva we have four strategic pillars and the most important one is customer. Yet, when we chatted to our frontline colleagues, they told us teams who don’t speak to customers every day don’t always think ‘customer first’. Our annual Voice of Aviva 2022 survey also showed our Customer Focus Index at 80%, far lower than most areas (we...
Shortlist: Accelerating a Planet Positive Future
FGS Global
Client: Arcadis
In the context of a new CEO and a series of strategic acquisitions, we engaged Arcadians in our strategy launch to ensure deep, sustained adoption. Focusing on intensifying megatrends of climate change and rapid urbanisation, the strategy is bold and exciting and our channels, interventions and tone of voice needed to reflec...
Sigma Software Help Hub
Sigma Software Group
Sigma Software Group, a Swedish-Ukrainian company, has always adhered to the principle of listening and responding to specialists’ requests. Grassroots initiatives have always come first. In response to people’s needs, the company created traditions, communities (professional, sports and hobby), communication tools, educational program...
The Great Big Get Together 2023
Cavendish
Client: Stonewater
Every year, Stonewater holds the Great Big Get Together (GBGT), which is a virtual event for colleagues to highlight the issues and achievements of the past year. At Stonewater, we work incredibly hard to deliver upon our Customer Promise and our colleagues are at the core of how we do this. GBGT is designed to reward, educate and, ver...
Best Crisis or Issues Management
London Luton Airport Terminal Car Park 2 Fire
London Luton Airport
Operational issues, air traffic control staffing, airline delays and disruption and industrial action across Europe are just some of the day-to-day challenges that LLA comms team routinely faces. However, October 10, 2023, proved to be the biggest test of London Luton Airport’s (LLA) crisis management skills. Just before 9pm, Bedfordsh...
Supporting Patients and Practices Through a National Dental Care Crisis
MHP Group
Client: Bupa
The Bupa Global & UK in-house External Relations team engaged advisory support from MHP Group to design and execute the reputation management strategy for Bupa Dental Care’s (BDC) decision to consolidate its portfolio of practices as a result of a national shortage of dentists to provide NHS care. Through the development and execution ...
Holding Up A Mirror To Cricket
Coldr
Client: Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket
In response to the racism scandal at Yorkshire County Cricket Club, the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) was established to investigate racial equality, gender equality and social equality in English cricket. Coldr was asked to support the in promoting the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC)’s call fo...
Save the Leadmill
The PHA Group
Client: The Leadmill
In 2017, Electric Group, an independent music venue operator under the leadership of Co-Founder, Dominic Madden, secured the freehold of The Leadmill, Sheffield’s iconic live arts venue. The venue had been threatened with redevelopment. A decision to take over the venue’s operations triggered a battle with the leaseholder, Ph...
Best Handling of a De/Merger or Acquisition Deal
When David buys Goliath: London Stock Exchange Group, post-Refinitiv deal
Lansons|Team Farner
Client: London Stock Exchange Group
In 2021, the London Stock Exchange Group acquired Refinitiv for $27bn. It created a new Corporate Affairs and Marketing (CAM) function of 400 people across the communications spectrum, drawn from two teams with distinctly different cultures and ways of working. A new leader came in to reshape the function and make it fit for the future...
Managing Biffa’s communications related to a recommended offer from ECP
Houston PR
Client: Biffa
In our submission, we outline the comprehensive and effective support that Houston provided long-standing client Biffa to manage multiple-stakeholder communications and secure support for a recommended offer from Energy Capital Partners. We describe the hands-on 24/7 support Houston provided throughout the deal period to monitor and ma...
Co-ordinating communications for a cross-border transaction between the AIM-listed Brave Bison plc and Frankfurt-listed Social Chain AG
Powerscourt
Client: Brave Bison
Brave Bison, the digital advertising and technology services company, appointed Powerscourt as its first ever financial PR advisor with a brief to support the company on financial communications and media engagement surrounding its acquisition of Social Chain. As a small company seeking to sustain momentum in its growth, both organic a...
Helping Lithia & Driveway with its strategic partnership with Pinewood Technologies and its acquisition of the UK motor and fleet management divisions of Pendragon plc
Powerscourt
Client: Lithia & Driveway
Lithia & Driveway (“Lithia”) appointed Powerscourt to help the company deliver on its planned acquisition of Pendragon plc’s (“Pendragon”) UK motor and fleet management divisions while simultaneously investing in the Group’s dealer management software division, Pinewood Technologies. The proposed transaction was set against the b...
The acquisition of UK investment bank Numis by Deutsche Bank
FTI Consulting
Client: Numis
FTI Consulting was appointed by Numis in 2023 as M&A communications adviser, as it looked to effectively communicate to all its stakeholders in accordance with the Takeover Code following a takeover approach by Deutsche Bank AG. Any ‘hands-off’ approach to deal communications by Numis risked its key stakeholders – its people, clients a...
Best Handling of an IPO
Setting up Sandoz for success as an independent listed company
2023 was an exceptional year for Sandoz, Europe’s largest generic and biosimilar medicines company and a brand with nearly 140 years of heritage. Sandoz’ USD 11.2bn spin-off from Novartis in October was one of the most closely watched European business stories of 2023, generating over 10,000 pieces of coverage. It created the biggest n...
Best In-house Comms Team
Darktrace
The past 12 months saw Darktrace build a team fit for a rapidly scaling listed business from scratch, set a long-term strategy to overcome critical challenges facing the business and build a positive and sustainable reputation. The team did this while building a successful employee engagement programme for the first time, riding an AI ...
Highly Commended: Virgin Media O2
Virgin Media O2 has a legacy of customer-centricity, bred by strong brand positioning and historical investment in customer service and experience. In the past, any damage to that legacy has been quickly recovered with creative comms stewardship, but 2023 felt different in terms of the scale of the challenge. Cost-of-living, ris...
Bupa Global & UK
The Bupa Global & UK External Relations team is a small but mighty in-house team of six for Bupa in the UK. Bupa Global & UK is the UK’s leading healthcare provider, with 23,000 colleagues and comprising five operating businesses: Bupa UK Insurance serving over 3 million customers; Bupa Global providing insurance to over 300,000 custom...
London Luton Airport
Small team, Big Brief, enormous impact Operating in a fast-moving, issues rich environment, LLA’s in-house communications team, overcame numerous challenges to execute effective, integrated strategies that supported ambitious strategic and commercial objectives, while continuing to shape, build and protect the airport’s reputation wi...
Sodexo
Sodexo’s Brand & Communications Team supports the business in its mission to grow with purpose, building and enhancing the brand reputation while deepening employee engagement. Operating as brand custodians, champions of Sodexo’s social value strategy, and in-house agency to the organisation’s seven business verticals – the team man...
Best Integrated Agency
Weber Shandwick
In the ever-evolving landscape of today's world, corporate reputations are no longer shaped solely by traditional roles; they're influenced by factors spanning technology, environment, politics, and culture. For communications teams, complexity and disruption is now the norm. Enter the Weber Shandwick UK Corporate Enterprise team – 9...
MHP Group
In 2023 we achieved 7% topline revenue growth in a challenging UK market, winning major brands across each of our specialist teams and growing our integrated work to 75% of all client relationships through organic cross-selling and winning new integrated briefs. We also evolved our business to expand the breadth of integrated work we c...
Cavendish
Cavendish’s journey since the 2022 MBO stands as a true testament to transformation with full employee engagement. The rebranding from BECG to Cavendish in June 2023 was more than a name change; it represented a profound shift in company culture and employee engagement. This shift was exemplified by 19 employees becoming shareholders, ...
OVID Health
Independent and entrepreneurial, OVID Health is the Health Changemaker consultancy sparking campaign movements. Inspired by working in government, we have created an integrated partnership approach that builds relationships with policy makers, politicians and patient stakeholders to affect change from the grassroots up. In the past yea...
Virgo Health
In its 20th year, Virgo Health had a HUGE year, giving us reason to celebrate one successful milestone after another. What was the formula? Fostering a culture that sets us up for commercial success, creative innovation and integration, plus a community spirit unrivalled in the post-pandemic hybrid agency world. The key to all of it is...
Best Pro-active Lobbying Campaign on an Issue or Cause
Say Pants to the Tax
Marks & Spencer
In 2021, the Government removed the ‘Tampon Tax’ and most period products became zero-rated for VAT. But under current VAT rules, period pants were classified as garments and therefore subject to a tax rate of 20% - the only period product to still incur VAT - M&S customers alone had paid more than £1.7 million in VAT on period pants s...
Parthenon Project – Reunifying the Parthenon Sculptures in Their Home in Athens
Pagefield
Client: Parthenon Project
A collection of the Parthenon Sculptures was brought to the UK between 1801 and 1812 by Lord Elgin and is now housed in the British Museum in London. Since the early 1980s, when the first formal request was made for the permanent return to Greece of the Sculptures, there has been a public debate about where they rightly belong – and si...
Backing British Spirits
iNHouse Communications
Client: UK Spirits Alliance & Scotch Whisky Association
The campaign led by iNHouse aimed to prevent an increase in domestic excise duty on Scotch Whisky and other spirits in the Chancellor’s autumn statement of 2023. The campaign operated from August to November, underpinned by a strategy to highlight the economic and political damage a second tax increase would inflict in a challenging ec...
Carbon Labelling: Why Not?
Blurred
Client: Oatly
Oatly is calling for transparent labelling to be mandatory across the food and drink industry. Achieving new legislation is a longer-term goal for the next government, but Oatly wanted to establish leadership on the issue and earn a seat at the policy table. The client said, “Our ideal outcome would be a headline in an influentia...
EPR Legislation Lobbying Campaign
apetito and Wiltshire Farm Foods
A dynamic and effective cross-party public affairs campaign that successfully sought change spanning the corridors of Government and DEFRA. Through conducting apetito’s first ever political lobbying campaign against the Government’s proposed Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation, the in-house’ Corporate Affairs, Policy ...
Seizing Opportunities and Empowering Communities: Grayling's Support for Anglesey Freeport
Grayling
Client: Stena Line
Grayling’s pro-active four-month lobbying campaign for Stena Line successfully secured freeport status for Anglesey against the odds. Our strategy focuses on two core tenants; to build support amongst those who have experienced historic underinvestment and the loss of jobs and opportunities to the south, whilst seeking to maximise the ...
The Eyes Have It Partnership
OVID Health
Client: Roche
We partnered with Roche, the Macular Society and Fight for Sight to form 'The Eyes Have It' partnership (a Roche-funded partnership). We co-created and implemented a campaign which rewrote the rule book on raising the profile of a historically neglected area of health. Together, we identified areas of policy we wanted to change at a na...
Best Public Health Awareness Campaign
The Misheard Version
Virgo Health & Golin
Client: Specsavers
To start a new, less scary public health conversation about hearing loss and encourage people to get their hearing tested, Specsavers turned one of the most famously misheard songs into a hearing test you couldn’t ignore. Re-recording Rick Astley’s Never Gonna Give You Up with the wrong lyrics people have been mishearing for ye...
Finding the Light to Bloom - World Scleroderma Day
Weber Shandwick Brussels
Client: Federation of European Scleroderma Associations
Scleroderma is a rare disease, relatively unknown to general practitioners and policymakers. This often results in delayed or misdiagnosis and/or limited access to the right treatment. Every year, The Federation of European Scleroderma Associations (FESCA) celebrates World Scleroderma Day on June 29, to educate the public and medical c...
NHS Black Heritage Blood Donation
ESPR
The NHS Black Heritage Blood Donation PR Campaign was delivered by ESPR, a Black-led independent, diverse and inclusive London-based PR and communications company, in April 2023. The aim of the campaign was to encourage more Black heritage blood donors to come forward, raise awareness of sickle cell and ethnically matched blood, ...
The Get Back in the Game Campaign
Hanover Communications, Clarion and HAVAS Life Medicom
Client: Novartis UK, HEART UK
HEART UK (HUK) and Novartis came together with a shared vision to combat one of the leading causes of death in the UK by transforming attitudes towards cholesterol management amongst people living with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). The aim of the campaign was to educate the target audience of older men (with a specifi...
The Myeloma Mystery #FindThe851
MHP Group
Client: Myeloma UK
Brief: Reach a wider UK audience and build awareness of the multiple symptoms of myeloma, a hidden blood cancer, beyond the patient community. After interrogating Myeloma UK’s data, we created a social campaign that highlighted a shortfall in diagnoses and called upon the public for help. Every year, around 5,900 people a...
Type 2 Diabetes: Know Your Risk
Teneo
Client: Tesco and Diabetes UK
Type 2 diabetes is one of the most common health conditions in the UK, affecting approximately 3.7 million people. Against the backdrop of a worrying rise in the condition among those under 40, Tesco joined forces with its long-standing partner Diabetes UK to highlight the growing risk of type 2 diabetes and encourage more people to ch...
Best Use of Content- Corporate and/or Financial Comms
The Power of the Premium
ABI
As inflation began to impact on insurance prices, the Association of British Insurers used a content-led campaign to help inform the public around insurance principles. The campaign utilised advertising, influencer partnerships and PR, with a short animation at its heart - telling the story of a dad's recovery after an accident from th...
European Attractiveness Survey for Financial Services 2023
EY
As the UK economy continues to evolve through an ever-changing macro environment, EY created an in-depth research methodology to track investment commitment by overseas investors into the UK financial services sector. Now in its seventh year, the United Kingdom Attractiveness Survey for Financial Services has developed alongside ...
AI for Business
Weber Shandwick
Client: IBM
AI was the business topic of conversation in 2023, exploding in popularity across all sectors and markets. However, along with the hype came questions and concerns around deployment, regulation, and the impact on the workforce. There was a clear gap in the conversation for a trusted voice to guide businesses through the deployme...
Net Zero - The Race We All Win
Edelman
Client: Xylem
Xylem, the world’s leading water technology company, provides products and technologies for water utilities to sustainably manage water, including significantly reducing carbon emissions. It needed to increase adoption by convincing the industry of the merits, viability, and cost effectiveness of achieving Net Zero and position itself ...
Swipe Left, Invest Right: How the Principles of Dating Can Be Applied to Investing
MHP Group
Client: Financial Conduct Authority
The Financial Conduct Authority needed to engage with inexperienced investors dabbling with high-risk investments, so we turned to the world of dating and encouraged investors to ‘invest how you date’. Creating a suite of informative content, we activated this across social – via influencers - and earned media, a dedicated landing page...
World Security Report 2023
FTI Consulting
Client: G4S
G4S commissioned the first-ever World Security Report, which canvassed opinions on key industry themes. 1,775 Chief Security Officers from large, global companies in 30 countries with combined annual revenue of over USD$20 trillion were surveyed. Its purpose was to position G4S and Allied Universal as THE global thought leaders o...
Best Use of Media Relations- Pharma and/or Healthcare comms
Bupa x ParalympicsGB
Bupa Global & UK
The Bupa Global & UK External Relations team was tasked with amplifying the business’ new role as the Official Healthcare Partner of ParalympicsGB. The strategy was to utilise the partnership as a platform to challenge attitudes to disability in our society, increasing inclusion and breaking down barriers and stigmas. The team e...
From The Margins
COW
Client: Gilead Sciences
Gilead Sciences has been delivering pioneering breakthroughs in medicine for more than three decades, with a goal to creating a healthier world for all people. Its pioneering work goes beyond medicine in patient care, particularly addressing health inequality in all its forms. In 2023, the nation celebrated the 75th anniversary o...
Let's Talk About Sex
Words + Pixels
Client: Hims & Hers
By commissioning landmark research, Words + Pixels was able to position Hims as the leading men’s telehealth brand in the UK, dominate the conversation about sexual wellness, and generate the sorts of headlines its competitors could only dream of. Unrivalled in its depth and ambition, “Let’s Talk About Sex: The UK Report” fearle...
Transforming the Menopause Conversation
Borkowski
Client: Dr Louise Newson / Newson Health
Borkowski’s work with Dr Louise Newson (DLN) has, over the last 12 months, continued outstanding progress in reframing the menopause discussion in the United Kingdom. Working across multiple disciplines, including events, social media, newsjacking and crisis management, Borkowski developed a cross-channel strategy designed to bring a c...
Best Use of Media Relations- Corporate and/or Financial Comms
What on Earth is the Value of Space
Ogilvy UK
Client: Inmarsat
You’ve probably never heard of Inmarsat, or what it does. Yet, every flight, every ship you’ve ever travelled on was probably powered by Inmarsat satellite connectivity. So, now, you know. Inmarsat tasked Ogilvy with a crucial mission: shifting public attention to the importance of space in promoting sustainability on Earth and rais...
Poetry in Motion
Goldbug
Client: Mercedes-Benz Vans
Mercedes-Benz Vans wanted to drive appeal with small business owners and show the brand understands and cares about them through a compelling media relations campaign. We carried out new research that revealed the van community felt unfairly stereotyped: 71% felt judged or underestimated and 66% believed people thought they were uneduc...
Campaign Against Fraud
UK Finance
Fraud is one of the most prevalent crimes in this country, with millions of cases every year. And the impact goes beyond financial: it can do serious emotional and psychological harm to victims too. Right now, financial services are the main sector tackling fraud and the only sector reimbursing victims – despite the fact scams o...
Get Paid, Not Played
Lansons|Team Farner
Client: Atom bank
Atom’s "Get Paid, Not Played" campaign highlighted big banks’ poor behaviour when it comes to passing on interest rates to savers. As interest rates and inflation surged, the four largest banks in the UK reported huge boosts in profits. However, this was achieved at the expense of loyal customers who, despite the rise in interest rates...
Holding Up A Mirror To Cricket
Coldr
Client: Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket
Coldr was asked to support the in promoting the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC)’s call for evidence for and publishing its final report on inequity in cricket, joining as the fifth member of the secretariat, attending commission meetings, providing media handling and communications advice and direction and counsel. ...
Household Money Index (HMI)
Goldbug
Client: MoneySuperMarket
MoneySuperMarket’s brief was to launch a unique thought leadership report that would give journalists new insights and help consumers. With the cost of living dominating the news agenda, it wasn’t news that UK households are feeling the pinch. MoneySuperMarket wanted to tell the story behind CPI and interest rates, and show what it rea...
World Security Report 2023
FTI Consulting
Client: G4S
Media relations considerations were at the heart of the World Security Report from conception to launch. The goal was to generate considerable, positive media coverage globally, to position the company as THE experts on corporate physical security. It was a mammoth undertaking requiring meticulous planning and extensive stakehol...
Best Use of Social Media and/or Influencers- Corporate and/or Financial Comms
Swipe Left, Invest Right: How the Principles of Dating Can Be Applied to Investing
The Financial Conduct Authority needed to engage with inexperienced investors dabbling with high-risk investments, so we turned to the world of dating and encouraged investors to ‘invest how you date’, working with influencers from across both worlds. Our selected talent worked from a brief to create Instagram grid posts, reels and new...
Best Use of Social Media and/or Influencers- Pharma and/or Healthcare Comms
The Misheard Version
Virgo Health & Golin
Client: Specsavers
To start a new, less scary conversation about hearing loss and encourage people to get their hearing tested, Specsavers turned one of the most famously misheard songs into a hearing test you couldn’t ignore. Re-recording Rick Astley’s Never Gonna Give You Up with the wrong lyrics people have been mishearing for years – then releasing i...
The Get Back in the Game Campaign
Hanover Communications, Clarion and HAVAS Life Medicom
Client: Novartis UK, HEART UK
HEART UK (HUK) and Novartis came together with a shared vision to combat one of the leading causes of death in the UK by transforming attitudes towards cholesterol management amongst people living with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). The aim of the campaign was to educate the target audience of older men (with a specifi...
Newcomer of the Year- Public Affairs
Thomas Jane
iNHouse Communications
Thomas Jane has rapidly ascended at iNHouse Communications since January 2021, going from Account Assistant to Account Manager. Key achievements include being a lead player in a 'Future Skills' campaign for Kingston University, culminating in a PRCA-recognized 'Exceptional Campaign of the Year' and substantial business growth for iNHou...
Beth Robertson
iNHouse Communications
Beth Robertson has swiftly risen up the ranks to Senior Account Manager at iNHouse Communications since her start in January 2022, after completing her MSc in Politics and Communication. Renowned for her strategic acumen and polling expertise, she led a successful public affairs campaign for the UK Spirits Alliance, saving British busi...
Max Borland
iNHouse Communications
Max Borland has exhibited rapid career progression since his start in May 2022. His transition from the finance industry to follow his passion for politics has been marked by two swift promotions due to his adept client management and advisory skills, and he is now an Account Manager at iNHouse. Max has led significant projects f...
Professional of the Year- Agency- Corporate and/or Financial Comms
Keith Gladdis
Keith leads MHP Group’s cross-agency media strategy, executive positioning and media training capabilities. This year, his key achievements include doubling revenues from media and presentation training and winning twelve major new media strategy briefs, including Bupa, Ofwat and RICS. Keith is also responsible for building and leading...
Professional of the Year- Agency- Public Affairs
Siân Jones
What sets a consultant apart in a highly talented sector? Leading innovative, successful client campaigns is essential. But at Grayling, with the largest UK public affairs network across the country, delivering meaningful policy change in the communities in which we operate is what defines an award-winning performance. This is what our...
