The annual PRCA Public Affairs Awards, sponsored by DeHavilland, saw winners take away awards in 21 categories at an event which celebrated the UK’s public affairs and lobbying industry.
The black-tie event brought together over 300 leading public affairs and lobbying experts at the Park Plaza Riverbank on the evening of 30th November, and was hosted by Jon Craig, Chief Political Correspondent for Sky News.
Big winners on the night included Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, which won In-house Team of the Year; and Cicero Global, which won Consultancy of the Year.
The Outstanding Contribution award went to George McGregor MPRCA, Managing Partner, Interel, and the Douglas Smith Prize 2018 was awarded to Christine McKenna MPRCA, Account Manager, Grayling.
In-house Professional of the Year was awarded to Lis Wallace, UK Advocacy Manager, Malaria No More; while Consultant of the Year went to Katherine Morgan MPRCA, Deputy Managing Partner, Interel.
Consultancy Campaign of the Year went to Interel for their ‘£2 stake for FOBTs’ campaign; and Voluntary Sector Campaign of the Year Award went to Newington Comms and Pup Aid for ‘Making Lucy’s Law a reality’.
Corporate Campaign of the Year Awards was given to Siemens; and the Trade Body Campaign of the Year Award went to the National Farmers Union for ‘Back British farming day’.
The Local Government Campaign of the Year Award was awarded to Forty Shillings, Muse Developments and Dartford Borough Council for the ‘regeneration of Westgate Dartford’ campaign.
Connect and Resolution won the Best In-house Consultancy Collaboration for the #NoFaultDivorce campaign. Think Tank of the Year Award went to Big Innovation Centre.
ABI and Third City won the Social Media Campaign of the Year award for their ‘#IPTsUnfair’ campaign, and the Planning Campaign of the Year was awarded to Newington Communications and Ciel Capital.
Party Conference Reception of the Year was handed to Interel and Bacta, and Party Fringe Event of the Year was won by MHPC for their ‘Making Perfect Sense of Health’ event. National Farmers Union won Party Conference Stand of the Year.
In terms of regional awards: Best Campaign in Scotland was awarded to Marie Curie and MND association for their ‘Social Security in Scotland’ campaign. The Best Campaign in Wales award was handed to Boots and Deryn Consulting for ‘Dementia Friends’. Best Campaign in Northern Ireland went to Weber Shandwick for ‘Let’s keep on supporting people’.
Francis Ingham MPRCA, Director General, PRCA, said: “Now in its fifth year, the UK Public Affairs Awards never ceases to be a fantastic event. The quality and standard of every entry into the awards this year continues to exceed expectations, each entry a glowing a testament to the resilience, growth, and forte of the UK’s public affairs and lobbying industry. Huge congratulations to all those who are taking home an award tonight, I look forward to seeing all of you again next year.”