Pre December 2010
New website and new structure
As you can see we have created a new website, we would welcome any comments on its design and content via .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). We have also changed the domain name from bellendenpublicaffairs.co.uk to bellenden.co.uk and all emails will change in a similar vein (existing email addresses will forward to our new details).
In addition, Bellenden will now be split into three different divisions Bellenden Public Affairs (headed by Nikki da Costa), Bellenden Public Relations (headed by Charlotte Barraclough) and Bellenden Planning Communications (headed by Phil Briscoe). Mark Glover and Greg Rosen will continue to provide support across the three divisions. We hope these new divisions will allow us to improve our service to our clients over the next few years.
New clients
Bellenden is delighted to announce its success in securing a number of new clients at the beginning of 2010. These clients include: the Electrical Safety Council, the Association for Science Education, East 7, the Manufacturing Technologies Association, Sage, White Design and the Enforcement Regulatory Group.
In addition Bellenden has won new work with Vestas, Lantra, BWEA, Devon County Council and UK Youth as well as retaining all existing clients.
New staff
Bellenden is delighted to announce the recruitment of Nikki da Costa who has joined the agency from her role as Head of UK Government Relations at Serco in order to head up our public affairs division.
Nikki was previously Head of UK Government Relations for FTSE 100 public services company Serco, special adviser to senior members of the Conservative Shadow Cabinet, and earlier in her career was recognised as a finalist for Public Affairs News as ‘UK Newcomer of the Year’ and PR Week’s ‘Young Professional of the Year’.
Bellenden partners with Welsh consultancy BayMor Solutions
Bellenden is delighted to announce that we have forged a strong working partnership with Cardiff based public affairs consultancy BayMor Solutions. As devolution in Wales enters its second decade and exclusively Welsh legislation becomes more prevalent, Bellenden recognises the added value to our clients that engagement with the devolved assembly can have.
Bellenden would also like to congratulate BayMor Solutions on their appointment to spearhead the general public affairs programme in Wales for Willmott Dixon Construction, one of the UK’s largest privately owned construction companies.
BayMor MD Jan Soloman said: “This is a major account win for us and reflects the on track growth of our consultancy.”
Gordon Nardell appointed QC
Bellenden wishes to congratulate Gordon Nardell on being appointed a Queen’s Counsel (QC). This year 129 successful appointments were made to honour barristers and solicitors who have shown extraordinary advocacy in the higher courts. Gordon, a barrister, has provided advice on Parliamentary Affairs to Bellenden’s clients since the company was launched in 2006.
Election Manifesto Launches
Yesterday the Labour Party launched their ‘A Future Fair for All’ election manifesto setting out the party’s ideas for a fourth term. Today the Conservatives will announce their manifesto followed by the launch of the Liberal Democrats’ manifesto on Wednesday.
Bellenden will be monitoring the developments as they happen and produce summaries on each of the major parties’ campaign manifestos, with specific emphasis on areas of interest for our clients.
Download Bellenden’s Labour Manifesto briefing.
Download Bellenden’s Conservative Manifesto briefing.
Download Bellenden’s Liberal Democrat Manifesto briefing.
Managing Director of Bellenden delivers political update in latest edition of Horticulture Week
In the latest edition of Horticulture Week, Managing Director Mark Glover provides his take on the general election so far and delivers his assessment of the changes the horticulture industry will face following May 6. Mark outlines the potential changes in Government ministers, major policy shifts and evaluates the three main parties’ manifesto proposals for horticulture issues.
Bellenden is the leading public affairs agency working with the horticulture industry. Its clients include the Horticultural Trades Association, the Greening the UK campaign and the All-Party Parliamentary Gardening and Horticulture Group.
Download the full article here.
Bellenden braves volcano for EWEC 2010 Conference in Warsaw
Director of Planning, Phil Briscoe, and colleague Matthew Horn, managed to wait out cancellations and delays to get a late flight and cement Bellenden’s burgeoning presence in the wind farm development communications sector. Phil stated that:
“Our commitment to ensure we were present at such an event highlights not only how serious we, at Bellenden, take the renewable energy sector but also our growing presence within the market both in the UK and abroad.”
Bellenden posts 31% growth for financial year 2009/10
Managing Director Mark Glover said: “I am delighted that Bellenden has continued to grow so successfully in the last year. Our year on year growth rate of 31% has taken us to a fee income level of £874k for the 09/10 financial year, as I am sure you can imagine we are keen to improve on this fee income level in the coming year. Our success has been down to the quality of work of our consultants across the UK, but we have shown particularly strong growth in our Energy, Education and Housing sectors. I would like to thank our clients for sticking with us in what has on occasions been a difficult business climate. As we continue to grow we will always commit to seeking excellence, whilst realising that we only succeed in partnership with our clients.”
Bellenden investigates direction of energy policy in Real Power magazine
Bellenden’s Matthew Horn investigates the direction of energy policy for the Renewable UK magazine Real Power.
Read the article in Real Power here.
Bellenden’s Daniel Cremin writes for Leader Magazine on the coalition’s agenda for school reform
Daniel Cremin, Account Manager at Bellenden and public policy and stakeholder engagement adviser to the ASCL, looks at the implications of the new coalition Government for academies and education policy reform in the June edition of ASCL’s Leader Magazine, which is distributed to over 15,000 head teachers and other senior leadership professionals in schools and colleges across England.
You can read an online version of “Tidal Predictions” by clicking here.
Housing source of new business wins for Bellenden
Bellenden is pleased to announce its success in acquiring two new clients: Ben Bailey Homes and Hightown Praetorian and Churches Housing Association (HPHCA).
Following on from their work with the Home Builders Federation, Swan Housing Group and East 7, Bellenden is developing a strong portfolio of clients in the housing sector.
For more information of how we can help you respond to the new Government’s housing agenda please contact Mark Glover at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Bellenden partners with Belfast based consultancy Inform Communications
Bellenden has partnered with Inform Communications, an award-winning Belfast based consultancy, to provide integrated and tailored public affairs, public relations and planning communications services for clients throughout Northern Ireland and across the rest of the UK and the island of Ireland.
Read more about our Belfast Office.
Bellenden’s Daniel Cremin writes for Leader Magazine on the coalition’s agenda for post-16 sector
In the July edition of the ASCL’s Leader Magazine, Daniel Cremin, Account Manager at Bellenden and public policy and stakeholder engagement adviser to the ASCL, looks at the coalition Government’s plans for Further Education and sixth-form colleges and what implications this will bring to the post-16 sector. Leader Magazine is distributed to over 15,000 head teachers and other senior leadership professionals in schools and colleges across England.
Read the online version of “Degrees of Uncertainty” here.
You can also read Daniel’s article on school reform in the June edition of Leader Magazine here.
Bellenden competes in London 2010 Triathlon
Bellenden entered two teams in the London 2010 Triathlon with Jenny Riddell, Nikki da Costa and Tom Wilkins coming 90th, whilst Abby Yolda, Mark Glover and Alex Sewell coming 211th out of 360 competitors in the team relay sprint.
New business wins for Bellenden
Bellenden is delighted to announce its success in securing two new clients: Aldwyck Housing Group and TheCityUK. Bellenden is also delighted to announce the first of many projects it is looking to deliver in its Northern Ireland office in partnership with Inform Communications. Leading on these energy projects will be Belfast-based consultant, Ross Williamson.
During September and October, Bellenden will be taking a dozen clients to all three of the main political party conferences.
If you are interested in working with Bellenden in Northern Ireland, generally or are keen to discuss our party conference programmes, please contact us on .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
New Housing Association win for Bellenden
Bellenden is pleased to announce its success in winning a new housing association contract with Hightown Praetorian & Churches Housing Association (HPCHA). Bellenden continues to expand into the housing market and we look forward to working with HPCHA.
Party Conference Success
Bellenden attended the three party conferences with 13 clients facilitating over 120 meetings between senior executives and politicians of all three parties. Bellenden also organised over 20 client dinners during the course of the three weeks.
Commenting on the week, Bellenden’s newly promoted Director of Public Affairs, Nikki da Costa said: “I am delighted that all our clients had such a positive experience of conference and look forward to working with them in future years. The result achieved during three weeks of intensive engagement reflect well on Bellenden’s commitment to delivering tangible outcomes, meeting our clients’ business and organisational objectives, and our strong ethos of client care.”
Lord Henley and Rt Hon Cheryl Gillan MP attend APPGHG 11th Annual Reception
Lord Henley, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Rt Hon Cheryl Gillan MP, Secretary of State for Wales attended the All-Party Parliamentary Gardening and Horticulture Group’s 11th Annual Reception in the House of Commons on Monday 22 November 2010. More than one hundred industry representatives and almost thirty Parliamentarians attended this year’s celebration of the gardening and horticulture industry at the reception sponsored by The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company. Gardening celebrities Toby and Lisa Buckland and Tommy Walsh were also in attendance.
Sending you our best Christmas and New Year wishes
Carers UK, a pro bono client of Bellenden, conducts vital work supporting those who care for others all year round. We are delighted to further our relationship with them by making a donation and featuring them as we send you our best Christmas and New Year wishes.
