Bellenden has been featured in the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development’s Apprenticeships That Work, a guide for employers. From the guide’s case study from the public relations and communications sector:
“Bellenden, a London-based public relations and communications agency, has recruited for an apprenticeship in business administration. Their apprentice, Kelsey, is enjoying her training in the company, which helps her to develop her communication, writing and admin skills. She says, ‘The best thing about my job is the people I work with.’ The company is committed to promoting from within and, when she finishes, she will be able to take over as their office manager.”
The guide was published today and can be found on the CIPD website.
Labour needs to look to the long term as it develops a new economic vision
By Mark Glover
In a week when we are reminded of the perils of the sea, it is somewhat risky to start a political article with a seafaring analogy. Yet, I am reminded when talking about the UK’s obsession with short termism of the captain of a ship, on a long voyage, facing the onslaught of a particularly bad storm. Whilst it might be easier for the Captain to turn back or shelter for the duration of the storm, if the ship continues in the face of the winds, then when those gales die down it will be much nearer its destination than if the Captain had chosen any of the alternatives. With a professional crew and so long as the ship is not in peril, riding out the storm is nearly always the Captain’s best option.
In both progressive politics and business, I believe leaders in the UK have too often sought shelter when a better option would have been to ride out the storm.
In Labour politics, short termism has often meant too great a focus on the next day’s media headlines and not enough thought about aligning the party, and in particular its leadership, with a series of issues which give the electorate clear reasons to vote for it. Too often Labour has been seen as changing tack in the media to garner favour with the electorate. Over time, that can lead to voters losing sight of the overall direction Labour is heading in, or worse, what the party stands for. Sometimes we must be prepared to accept a day’s bad headlines in order to position the party better for the long term.
Another example is a perceived fear of internal debate within the party. One of the things that has become apparent to me after joining my wife, NEC member Johanna Baxter, on some of her 50 or so constituency visits over the last year, and hearing about the ones I didn’t attend, is how keen the membership of the party is for debate around new ideas. Too often those at the centre of the party seem scared of letting ordinary members have their say, scared to discuss new ideas which they themselves have not developed, and as a result debate is stunted – with members left disillusioned as they fear their contribution has not be considered.
In my experience the best decisions a political party makes are the ones which involve the most people and when Labour trusts its entire membership, then the membership tends to take a more considered and long term view in return. I believe in particular we need a candid internal debate about Labour’s position on the economy — and if that causes a few storms in the short term, then how Ed Miliband handles that will help define his leadership and demonstrate his strengths. Let us not forget that a major problem with Gordon Brown’s leadership was that he was not able to properly define himself in the minds of the voters in a leadership election, as he did not have a serious challenger to test him.
There are perhaps some parallels with short termism in business. Too often the long term good of a company or indeed the long term good of the economy is a secondary consideration to a short term dash for profit. On a microeconomic scale, I have seen my company and those of my competitors which I admire succeed through having a long term plan and then ensuring that short term profits are invested to the benefit of that long term plan. Those who have stalled have tended not to reinvest enough in their capacity to grow or in the retention of their best people, preferring instead to take money out of the business early, or being content with a comfortable return on their investment without making the financial investment needed to grow. For some of those business leaders this may well be an acceptable personal financial plan but it is not necessarily to the benefit of the company.
On a macro-economic scale we have seen that over-emphasis on short term returns and the pressurising of captains of industry to pursue that goal over and above the goal of investing in a company for its long term growth. I find myself drawn to the example of Germany and its greater focus on investment for the longer term. I support the role of the City and it is vital that London remains the financial capital of the Western World. However, we must recognise that the UK’s economy as a whole is a different beast from those economic factors simply driving the City. We need to get back to an economic model, supported by government, which allows companies to invest for the longer term. That would allow companies to be led by the people who understand the products and markets they are involved in, and which rewards business leaders for working towards long-term business goals.
As we now expand Labour’s Business, we do so to contribute to a Labour economic plan that focuses on the long term success of companies and the long term growth of a competitive and sustainable economy, and to help shape a credible economic narrative that is acceptable in the main to both unions and business. We aim to put forward part of that vision, and support Labour’s leadership in its delivery.
Published on Labour’s Business
Bellenden is recruiting for a Senior Account or Associate Director of Public Affairs to join our fast growing agency specialising in public affairs, corporate and planning communications. Our year-on-year growth of over 40% is driven by our excellent reputation for client care, ethics and achieving client objectives.
The role involves:
- leading the development and delivery of programmes for clients;
- identifying and pursuing new business opportunities and targets;
- drafting and signing off new business proposals;
- negotiating and dealing with senior clients;
- providing senior counsel to clients at CEO level;
- managing a team with fee income targets;
- engaging the media and harnessing their support;
- building and mobilising coalitions;
- building a network of business and political contacts;
- researching and writing position papers and policy documents;
- analysing the implications of legislation and regulation;
- leading event organisation.
The ideal person will have:
- at least six years experience working in the political/ policy/ communications fields;
- a track record of successfully shaping public policy;
- management experience;
- a professional eye for detail;
- insight and understanding of both Whitehall and party politics;
- be a friendly and enthusiastic team player;
- have the ability to think clearly, rise to challenges and solve problems;
- enjoy working with business clients;
- demonstrate excellent, persuasive, communications skills;
- have excellent research, organisational and IT skills.
Please send applications to Greg Rosen, Director of Public Policy at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Applications should include a covering letter and CV. Closing date: 6th February 2012. Please see our ad on PR Week Jobs for more details: http://www.prweekjobs.co.uk/job/343208/senior-account-director-associate-director/.
Bellenden Planning Communications also continues to expand in London, Cardiff and Edinburgh and seeks applications from experienced communicators and experts in local stakeholder engagement. If you have a track record of success then contact Phil Briscoe at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Newly appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Lord Taylor of Holbeach addressed more than 130 guests of the All-Party Parliamentary Gardening and Horticulture Group at their 12th Annual Reception in the House of Commons last night, Monday 21 November 2011. Also in attendance were John Penrose MP, Minister for Tourism and Heritage, Huw Irranca-Davies MP, Shadow Food and Farming Minister and Anne McIntosh MP, Chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee. Bunny Guinness, BBC Radio 4 Gardeners’ Question Time panellist, and former Ground Force presenter Tommy Walsh were also amongst the guests. Coming from a background in horticulture himself, Lord Taylor commented on the need to increase the amount of applied research for the industry.
Left to right: Bunny Guinness, Tommy Walsh, Lord Taylor of Holbeach and Baroness Fookes, Chairman of APPGHG.
Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, Rt Hon Dr Vince Cable MP, and three Government Ministers attended the first All-Party Parliamentary Group for Family Business Annual Reception in the House of Commons on Monday 14 November 2011. Baroness Wilcox, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, Chloe Smith MP, Economic Secretary and Lord Sassoon, Commercial Secretary were in attendance with more than thirty Members of Parliament and Peers and almost one hundred representatives from the family business sector. The reception saw the launch of the Institute for Family Business’ The UK Family Business Sector report. The reception was sponsored by Warburtons Ltd.
Rt Hon Dr Vince Cable MP with IFB Director General Grant Gordon
Following a major recruitment campaign, Bellenden’s team has expanded considerably with the hiring of seven new consultants.
Heading the list is new Associate Director Public Affairs, Kris Verlé (Lib Dem), recruited from Whitehouse Consultancy. Also joining the public affairs team is Sophie Fernandes (Con), Account Manager Public Affairs, who has rejoined from the Institute of Directors, after a spell of three years away from Bellenden. Joining the public policy team is Annie Powell (Lab), Account Executive, who joins from law firm, Travers Smith.
Bellenden’s planning communications team is also reinforced with a new hire. George Saliagopoulos (Con) joins as an Account Executive from Curtin&Co.
Bellenden Scotland Office is reinforced with the recruitment of Senior Account Executive, Michael Dixon (SNP) from the Office of Nicola Sturgeon MSP.
Bellenden’s new Welsh Office is now headed by Account Manager, Clare Phillips (Lab) who has previously worked with Alan Pugh AM.
Also to join Bellenden as an Associate is John Lakin who is a leading strategic adviser in education management.
Commenting, Mark Glover, Chief Executive said, “These recruits demonstrate the ambition of Bellenden to recruit the brightest and the best from all parties, and represents a net increase of four staff for the company.”
Shell Centre to be redeveloped by Canary Wharf Group and Qatari Diar
Bellenden is delighted to announce the examination board AQA as its latest client. In a competitive pitch Bellenden successfully secured a retained contract by demonstrating a strong knowledge of the education sector and strategic insight into the developing political agenda. The account team will be led by Nikki da Costa and Daniel Cremin, but will also feature input from chief executive Mark Glover and senior associate Matt Rodda.
The addition of AQA, the country’s largest awarding body of GCSEs and ‘A’ levels and a growing education services provider to Bellenden’s roster of clients, cements the agency’s leading position within the education sector. A position reinforced by existing long-term education clients such as Tribal, and the Association of School and College Leaders.
Commenting on the appointment of Bellenden, Sadie Visick, AQA’s Communications Director, said:
“We appointed Bellenden for their in-depth knowledge of the education sector which will help us engage with a range of important decision makers in the government and policy worlds.
As part of their remit, Bellenden will deploy the strong evidence base provided by our Centre for Education Research and Policy and offer key strategic insights, working alongside our in-house communications team.”
Bellenden Chief Executive, Mark Glover, and Associate Director, Charlotte Barraclough, in the company of Brian Donohoe MP, Secretary of the All-Party Parliamentary Gardening and Horticulture Group, met recently with His Royal Highness Prince Charles at his Highgrove Estate to discuss issues around sustainability at an event organised by Garden Organic.
Bellenden is pleased to announce three new hires joining the growing Bellenden team. James Sachon joins Bellenden Planning Communications as a new Account Director. James joins from Redwood Consulting where he worked on a number of high profile clients. Also joining Bellenden are Account Executives Harry Poultney, a former Parliamentary Assistant to Christopher Pincher MP and Conservative Party election agent, and Robert Henderson, who previously worked in the office of Labours environment spokesperson, Mary Creagh MP.
Bellenden is pleased to announce its success in securing new clients: Barratt Developments Plc, ScottishPower Renewables, Housing 21, Cory Environmental and Wheelabrator Technologies.
PR Week Ones to Watch Top 150 PR Consultancies 2011
The Deputy Mayor of Southwark, Cllr Lorraine Lauder MBE, today officially launched Bellenden’s new offices at Swan Court accommodating its growing team which includes recent hires, Rosemary Day, Laura Sainsbury, Annisa Hussein and Craig Palmer. The new address for the office is:
Bellenden Head Office
17-18 Swan Court
9 Tanner Street
London SE1 3LE
We look forward to welcoming you to our new premises!
Southwark Deputy Mayor, Cllr Lorraine Lauder MBE, who officially opened Bellenden’s new offices is pictured alongside Phil Briscoe, Managing Director, Bellenden Planning Communications Division
Bellenden’s Greg Rosen and Mark Glover celebrate the opening of their new offices at 17/18 Swan Court with Southwark Council Leader, Cllr Peter John
Bellenden staff and clients celebrate the opening of its new offices
Bellenden is pleased to announce its success in securing three new clients in March 2011: Ash Contracting Limited, Lightbox Plc and Newcastle College Group.
Bellenden’s Planning Comms team had a productive (and enjoyable!) week in Cannes, meeting with the great and the good of the real estate world at the 2011 MIPIM conference.
Managing Director of Planning Communications, Phil Briscoe, Account Director Matthew Horn, and Account Executive Rosemary Day, met with the developers, architects, consultants, lawyers and investors who are working on some of the most exciting and momentous property projects across the world.
Phil Briscoe reflects on his week. “It was four intensive days of running from early morning meetings through to late night receptions. MIPIM provided our team with an invaluable opportunity to promote the high quality and successful planning communications services Bellenden offers to the major league of professional property developers.”
For more information about the work of Phil’s team and how we could help you, please e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Phil Briscoe, Managing Director of Planning Communications with the model size London Shard at MIPIM 2011.