Pre December 2009
Parliamentary group completes decade of awareness-raising to boost horticulture
Bellenden’s Matthew Horn interviews Charles Hendry MP for the BWEA’s Real Power magazine
Bellenden new hires result of new business wins
Bellenden Public Affairs continues to grow with the hiring of two Conservative account executives, Georgina Dowling and Matthew Horn.
Managing Director Mark Glover said, “I am delighted that we have continued to expand our team as this is based on retaining clients and adding new business through the excellence of our delivery. Matthew and Georgina will be valuable additions to our team and join us just as we have won new clients in Modec Limited and Tribal Education.”
BPA shortlisted in CIPR awards and Norfolk County Council/BPA Campaign shortlisted in Local Government Communicators Awards
Bellenden Account Manager, Tamsin James, has been shortlisted for the Young Communicator of the Year Award by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations. Commenting on the shortlisting her manager Charlotte Barraclough said, “This is deserved recognition for someone who has made a major contribution to the company’s growth over the last couple of years. We are all hope that she will go on to win the award!”
In addition, Norfolk County Council’s Communications Team has been shortlisted for an award at the Local Government Communicators conference in Sheffield for their Dual the A11 Campaign. This campaign was run in partnership with Bellenden Public Affairs who handled the national public affairs work and led to Geoff Hoon approving funding for the completion of a much needed road scheme. Commenting BPA Managing Director, Mark Glover said, “This award recognises the hard work of both our team at BPA but also the professional communications team at Norfolk County Council. We will be delighted if they win this award as NCC has been a delightful client to work with.”
Bellenden Public Affairs has been accepted as a member of the Association of Professional Political Consultants
“Given the speed of growth of Bellenden Public Affairs our Senior Management Team felt that now is the right time to join the APPC. This reinforces our commitment to transparency already highlighted by the longstanding incorporation of the CIPR Code of Conduct into our operational guidelines.”
Bellenden Public Affairs is now a £750,000 agency celebrating its third anniversary in February 2009. Our team of 20 consultants provide expertise in the fields of public affairs, planning and corporate communications. With offices in London and Scotland we have delivered successful campaigns at all levels - from grassroots to pan-European.
A11 Campaign a success
Norfolk’s residents, businesses and local politicians are celebrating after the Government listened to Norfolk County Council’s plea to dual the last stretch of the single carriageway A11. The decision was taken by Rt Hon. Geoff Hoon MP, Secretary of State for Transport, following a petition of over 15,000 road users.
Norfolk County Council delivered the successful outcome with the help of Bellenden Public Affairs, who provided strategic political advice, delivered national level political engagement and media relations support to the campaign.
Daniel Cox, Leader of Norfolk County Council, said: “By working together, we have achieved a stunning victory to bring forward completion of the dualling of the A11 by 18 months. Bellenden’s advice and engagement with decision makers in London has been an important part in our success.”
Mark Glover, Managing Director, said “I am delighted with our involvement in this campaign, which has seen the dualling of the A11 as one of the first priorities of the new Secretary of State for Transport. We enjoyed an excellent working relationship with the professional team within Norfolk’s Communications Department and have developed a good working relationship going forward.”
EDI plc and Swan Housing Group become Bellenden’s latest clients
One of the country’s leading examination boards and a growing housing association are the latest clients to harness the expertise of Bellenden Public Affairs. Commenting on the new business wins, Bellenden Director Charlotte Barraclough said,
“The success in securing EDI as a retainer client reinforces our presence in the education market, where we are becoming a growing presence. Swan Housing Group is our first housing association and sits well alongside the retained work we have been doing on housing for the Home Builders Federation.”
SIGOMA (the Special Interest Group of Municipal Authorities outside London)
SIGOMA (the Special Interest Group of Municipal Authorities outside London), are celebrating their success in removing double damping from the Revenue Support Grant, meaning millions of additional pounds are available to its members to pay for vital services in their council areas. Bellenden Public Affairs provided media and political support for the campaign and a team featuring new recruits Mary Derrane and Alex Sewell along with Daniel Cremin helped deliver significant outcomes. Chair of SIGOMA, Cllr Stephen Houghton described the campaign as ‘professional and effective’.
Institute of Groundsmanship
Bellenden Public Affairs is delighted to announce that it has secured the ‘Institute of Groundsmanship’ and wind energy company ‘Infinergy’ as new clients in January. Commenting on the success Managing Director, Mark Glover said, “These new clients reflect the strength of our offer within the built and natural environment sector and the effectiveness of our growing planning team.”
All Accounts led by CIPR Members
All Bellenden Public Affairs accounts are to be led by a Member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations. Managing Director, Mark Glover said: “To become a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations you need to demonstrate ten years or more of professional experience in public relations. I am glad to announce that from this day forward all our accounts will be led by individuals with this qualification. We believe this will ensure that all our clients receive the highest levels of service and that it reinforces our commitment to excellence in the delivery of all our work.”
Win for Wood for Gold
‘Wood for Gold’ an industry campaign to promote the use of sustainable wood in the Olympics is celebrating the Olympic Delivery Authority’s decision as stated in their sustainable development strategy to, “The ODA will also seek to maximise timber from sustainable sources, with appropriate supporting evidence as defined by the UK Central Point of Expertise on Timber (CPET).”
Commenting on the commitment, Chairman of the Steering Group, Martin Gale said,
“This commitment follows the success of the campaign in gaining support from 116 MPs (signing EDM 180 on using wood in the Olympics) and the positive reception the campaign has received from stakeholders and environmental groups in London.”
Two New Business Wins
Bellenden Public Affairs are pleased to announce that they have won Devon County Council and Canary Wharf as new clients in the last month. Commenting on the wins, new director of public affairs Greg Rosen said, “I am delighted that two such well known names have decided to put their trust in Bellenden Public Affairs, this reflects the growing stature of the company and the quality of the people we employ.”
Charlotte Barraclough Joins Bellenden
Charlotte Barraclough, formerly Head of Communications at the Swiss Embassy in London, has joined Bellenden Public Affairs. Charlotte has over 12 years experience in PR covering a wide range of fields including public affairs, business to business and the arts.
Previously Charlotte ran the media operation for Susan Kramer’s campaign to be Mayor of London.
Charlotte said, “I am looking forward to working with Bellenden and their clients on an exciting range of projects.”
British Wind Energy Association and Greening the UK
Managing Director Mark Glover welcomed two new accounts to Bellenden Public Affairs in July with BPA being retained by the British Wind Energy Association in a hotly contested pitch and by the horticulture industry campaign ‘Greening the UK’.
Commenting on the wins Glover said, “I am delighted that we have won both these new clients increasing the number of sectors we are currently active in and recognising our previous work on environmental issues. We are rapidly becoming the agency of choice for anyone wanting advice and support in the built and natural environment.”
‘Greening the UK’ launched
Labour Party conference in Bournemouth this year provided the perfect backdrop for Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, the Rt Hon Hazel Blears MP to launch the Horticultural Trades Association campaign ‘Greening the UK’. Emphasising the benefits of increasing urban planting – such as air quality, noise reduction and greater work place productivity, the campaign aims build recognition within government and the wider public for the need to increase green planting in urban developments.
All Party China Group and All Party Vietnam Group
The All Party China Group and the All Party Vietnam Group have appointed Bellenden Public Affairs to provide administrative support to the two Groups. Managing Director, Mark Glover said, “ I am delighted that we have been chosen to support these groups, as with all our clients we will be transparent in our operations whilst continuing to provide the service excellence that all our clients have the right to expect.“
Greening the Games gathers momentum