The Public Affairs Awards are dedicated to celebrating the best work that the Public Affairs industry has to show. As Media Partner, PubAffairs will be highlighting the entries of finalists in the Consultancy of the Year and In-House Team of the Year categories.
The below entry was Bellenden’s submission in the Consultancy of the Year category. Bellenden was also nominated three times in the Consultancy Campaign of the Year for their work with Pupaid ("Where's Mum?"), Barratt Developments plc (Changing Perceptions, Housing People) and the High Court Officers Enforcement Association & Civil Enforcement Association (Reforming the Bailiff Legislation).
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For the third year running, our fee income for 2013-2014 grew by 25%, from £2.05 million to £2.55 million, with profit after tax of £550,000. We achieved results where others had failed, including changing arcane and unfair civil enforcement legislation, and securing a route to market for independent energy generators (‘a victory for David over Goliath’) and £200 million in Local Growth Funding. Our effective, ground-breaking work was recognised by international communications industry leaders: we won an IPRA Golden World award and two Stevies, and were shortlisted as one of Public Affairs News’ agencies of the year for the second year running. Client highlightsOur client roster increased by 23 to 83, including Visa Europe, Qatari Diar, Canary Wharf Group, Barratt Housing, Verizon, Berkeley Group, RES, Fred Olsen, and the RHS. One of our biggest successes was our award-winning work for trade associations representing bailiffs. Our political engagement campaign achieved something that no-one had managed for hundreds of years: the introduction of fair and transparent regulations and fees. This radical reform was a win-win, protecting vulnerable debtors, and with the potential to transform a profession’s reputation. Martin Leyshon, Chairman of the High Court Enforcement Officers Association, said: ‘Without Bellenden’s valuable work and insight, I believe that the change would not have happened.’ We secured planning permission for the £1.2bn redevelopment of the Shell Centre on London’s South Bank. Sir George Iacobescu, chairman and CEO of Canary Wharf Group, thanked us for ‘first class work’: ‘From your initial work mapping out local stakeholders...through to ongoing work around social housing commitments, Bellenden’s advice has been never less than excellent.’ Barratt Homes set us the challenge of improving its reputation and relationships with local authorities. It was the first time a developer had proactively engaged stakeholders, with astonishing results. In 2013, Barratt started building 16,000 new homes - up 35% on 2012. Director of Corporate Affairs Patrick Law said: ‘Bellenden have made a serious contribution to meeting the UK’s housing need by changing the terms of the debate.’ We also secured a route to market for independent generators in the Electricity Market Reform policy and for wind energy company Greenwire in the Energy Act. StaffWe now have 32 consultants in London, Scotland and Wales and took on our second apprentice. Several members of our talented team were recognised: an associate was knighted for services to education, and others were elected to groups including the APPC Management and Young Consultants committees, the CIPR Public Affairs Committee, and the Women in Public Affairs Network. Our public affairs MD was named as one of the Sunday Times/Management Today ‘Top 35 Women Managers under 35’. We continued our commitment to mentor disadvantaged secondary school children. |
Bellenden