To engage with a community you need to first understand it. PPS gets under the skin of a local neighbourhood, mapping out the groups and organisations that matter, telling you about the issues that are going to impact upon your scheme and guiding you through the political issues in the local council.
Armed with our public affairs strategy reports and stakeholder mapping you can develop an effective community engagement strategy.
Choose a sector in the right hand menu to see an overview of our work in that area and view case studies>>
Engagement is the new game in town... or in the village, or even in the directly affected street. After years of presenting oven-ready schemes to local communities, successful applicants will now be the ones that flick the switch from ‘send' to ‘receive' and listen to communities as they draw up their schemes.
PPS can help with a variety of engagement techniques. We target the influential players in a community, run design workshops and hold focus groups. We sit down with directly affected neighbours, listen to their concerns, feed them into your plans and help you accommodate them.
And PPS staff are old hands at the essential task of presenting schemes to councillors and understanding the local agendas that affect their views.
When a scheme is more worked up, we consult the wider communities. The old staple of the public exhibition remains a useful tool but these days we can supplement it with other tools such as sophisticated online consultation.
Choose a sector in the right hand menu to see an overview of our work in that area and view case studies>>
Local support will unlock planning permissions. But how to find it?
PPS segments communities to understand which groups are most likely to support your particular scheme and the arguments they are most likely to respond to. We target the most promising sections of the community to mobilise support for your plans. Along the way we use social media techniques - Facebook groups, online petitions - as well as old-fashioned shoe leather to encourage supporters to make their views known.
We also have working relationships with polling companies and are able to use quantitative and qualitative research to measure local opinion. And our teams include political activists with long experience of the campaigning skills required to win local referenda on planning matters.
Presenting support in a way that resonates is important. Councillors often respond well to knowing the degree of support in their ward, they read local newspapers and they understand how rarely supporters write to local councils. Demonstrating local support is crucial to the localism agenda.
Choose a sector in the right hand menu to see an overview of our work in that area and view case studies>>
PPS Group has extensive experience of supporting major projects through the planning process for 'Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects' including nuclear, gas-fired and biomass power stations, off-shore wind farms and new electricity/gas transmission lines.
Pre-application consultation is a statutory requirement for all NSIPs and applications for development consent orders will only be accepted by the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) if the consultation has been conducted in accordance with the legislation, published guidance and best practice. PPS is very familiar with these requirements and helped to design, manage and implement the largest NSIP yet to be accepted by the IPC
The Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC), will shortly be replaced by the National Infrastructure Directorate (part of the Planning Inspectorate) with the Secretary of State making the final decision on all NSIPs. However, few major process changes are expected and the onus will remain on the developer to get the consultation right from the outset.
PPS can advise specifically on the preparation and consultation on a Statement of Community Consultation (SoCC), the merits of single or staged consultation, the range of consultation materials to be deployed and the preparation of the final Consultation Report to the IPC/NID. We will also help you to integrate your NSIP consultation with your on-going media relations, public affairs and support mobilisation campaigns without undermining the statutory consultation process.
Choose a sector in the right hand menu to see an overview of our work in that area and view case studies>>
Planning is different in Scotland.
Compulsory Public Consultation has changed the nature of engagement with communities and stakeholders. Local views need to be taken into account and responded to. A Pre Application Consultation Report is now one of the key planning documents, as important to your proposal as any other technical report.
PPS Scotland is ideally placed to offer professional help to meet statutory guidelines, with extensive experience of planning, politics and engagement. PPS also offers Public Affairs advice on major projects like the Edinburgh Trams, where we are working with the contractors and on local authority procurements, such as Waste.
PPS makes a key contribution to delivering new jobs and investment in Scotland. From small scale developments of just a few homes, to factories, hotels, new retail schemes, infrastructure and major mixed use developments, PPS helps build community support for developments that make a difference to communities the length and breadth of the country.
Click on Our work in Scotland in the right hand menu to see an overview of our work and view case studies>>
It has become fashionable in some quarters to pour scorn on the concept of corporate stakeholders. We don't agree.
If organisations ever had a need to increase their understanding of their audiences and vice-versa, now is the time. Third party endorsement is a reputational prize much to be valued but hard to achieve. We can help you.
Read more about our stakeholder liaison work by selecting a client from the right-hand menu. >>>
As the media continues to expand and diversify, the range of opportunities and conversely the threats with regard to corporate reputation occupy the minds of many organisations.
PPS understands how to get the best out of media relations, to help protect and enhance reputations. We have specialist teams for the sectors we operate in - so our knowledge and contacts are constantly being refreshed.
Read more about our media relations work by selecting a client from the right-hand menu. >>>
At PPS, we have a specialist PR team who can help to generate awareness and maximise sales potential at developments in the UK and overseas.
PPS has over 20 years experience working with both niche and volume housebuilders in the UK as well as expertise in the overseas property market.
Through controlled media and PR, the dedicated team can raise the company profile, create awareness and generate sales via print, digital and broadcast media. PPS also specialises in events for the local community and luxury sectors, brand alliances and link ups.
In the last year alone, our clients have not only achieved record sales but also won gold and silver awards in the Evening Standard and What House? Awards.
At PPS we use creative thinking, thought leadership and structured media campaigns to deliver results.
Choose a sector from the right hand menu to see an overview of our work in that area and view case studies>>
PPS employs senior communications professionals to lead its teams and advise its clients. Therefore our consultancy is rooted in actual experience not theory, which is why we have a reputation for being able to deal with the toughest communications challenges.
We advise clients on the creation of effective communications strategy that addresses their specific needs and the bespoke set of circumstances they face. To each challenge we apply the most appropriate blend of experience and expertise to help our clients achieve clear and measurable goals.
Read more about our communications strategy work by selecting a client from the right-hand menu. >>>
Governments come and go, but the need for organisations to predict, understand and influence policy is constant.
The information age means that civil servants and politicians and the policies they create and implement are under greater scrutiny than ever before.
At PPS we see public affairs as an integral part of a wider communications and reputation management strategy. Most of our clients use a range of services from us to ensure that they have the comprehensive and cohesive approach to corporate communications that is needed in the 21st Century. We believe in joined up thinking because that is what audiences expect.
We do the practical stuff for our clients too, such as preparation for select committee hearings, submission of responses to green papers and helping to engage with key policy and decision makers.
Read more about our public affairs and government relations work by selecting a client from the right-hand menu. >>>
"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing" goes the proverb and that is more true now than it ever was.
Twenty four hour media and an unregulated internet means that lasting reputational damage can be sustained with little, if any, warning. Without a proper process in place and an agreed plan to action it can be very hard to recover over the short to medium term.
PPS employs highly skilled consultants with considerable practical experience of crisis and issues management. From crisis planning and stakeholder management to bespoke media training PPS equips its clients to deal with the storms that come as a direct result of us all living in the information age and knowing too little about too much before rushing to judgement.
Read more about our crisis and issues management work by selecting a client from the right-hand menu. >>>
“It takes 20 years to build a reputation and 5 minutes to ruin it. If you think about that you will do things differently.”
So said Warren Buffett, a man who knows a thing or two about business, investors and company valuations.
Building a corporate reputation in the C21st is an increasing challenge for any organisation and holding onto it is even more difficult. As there are now more opportunities to shine and traps to fall into than ever before thanks to the growth of digital communications and 24-hour media amongst other developments.
PPS has the expertise and experience to help our clients to move forward with their business by building and maintaining a reputation that enables them to do so.
We do this by shaping bespoke communications strategies that precisely meet the needs and circumstances of our clients, of which no two are the same. This attention to individual detail brings results in a world, which has grown used to a one-size fits all approach.
With specialists in public affairs, media relations, stakeholder communications, internal communications and CSR, PPS can provide the right team to deliver.
The Localism Act is set to transform the way in which developers engage with communities. The government is keen to encourage engagement rather than tick-box consultation. Listening rather than talking will now be an essential part of the process of securing planning permission for major developments.
Twenty-one years of experience in communities up and down the country makes us the market leader in this field. PPS helps clients engage with local communities, seeks out and mobilises local support and guides the way through the local politics and media. We have experience of all sectors, from residential to retail, energy to waste management, commercial to leisure.
If you want to understand localism and get practical advice on gaining planning consent, we can help.
Visit our localism website to hear expert opinions, view footage of industry, political and media figures discussing localism or to book a bespoke presentation for you team.
PPS's clients include some of the most important commercial property companies in the UK, such as Land Securities and Hammerson. We particularly enjoy tall buildings - we assisted with planning for the Shard of Glass and are currently working on a 40-plus-storey scheme in Southwark.
But we are just as at home working on retail-led town centre schemes or distribution facilities. We are currently working on town centre schemes in Leeds and Crawley and our distribution expertise stretches back more than 15 years, beginning with Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal and continuing for clients such as Prologis and Gazeley.
PPS has worked with most of the UK's big energy companies as well as many of the smaller developers in the market. We therefore understand the challenges and opportunities the energy market presents for those operating within the UK.
Whether it's supporting an IPC application for nuclear new build on behalf of EDF Energy or securing support from key politicians for shale gas exploration for Cuadrilla, we recognise the vital role new and existing energy infrastructure will play in mitigating any future energy gap in the UK.
We have experience with a broad spectrum of energy technologies; nuclear, on and offshore wind, CCS, biomass, unconventional hydrocarbon, marine, and associated grid connections to name but a few. This has been gleaned from working directly with developers, often on contentious or high profile projects, but also by having a genuine interest in the technical, financial and political issues faced by individual technology markets. This gives us unprecedented market insight.
We combine this insight with a thorough understanding of energy policy, political influence and current planning systems - for developments less than and greater than 50MW. You take your energy project seriously and so do we; we don't do fluffy PR!
PPS revels in the communications challenges associated with health-related issues. Our experience extends to PFI projects and helping to secure permission for new hospitals - we worked on Barts and the London and also on schemes for Guys and St Thomas's Healthcare Trust.
We also particularly enjoy the challenges associated with helping secure planning permission for aged-care schemes and extra-care facilities for the profoundly disabled and have plenty of experience of both for clients such as Anchor Trust, Sussex Healthcare and Newlyn Developments.
PPS has a track record on leisure schemes that is second to none.
We have worked up and down the country for David Lloyd Leisure, have previously worked for Bath Rugby Club and successfully advised RFU, Tottenham Hotspur and The Belfry on sports related planning applications. And while it is some time ago, we are also very proud of having helped secure permanent planning consent for the London Eye.
We also know hotels of all types; we work on high-end hotels as part of mixed-use schemes (see Noss Marina case study) and have secured planning permissions on numerous Premier Inn projects across the UK.
Housebuilding is in our DNA. We have always worked for both niche and volume housebuilders, helping to secure planning permissions and working on strategic land allocations. We are privileged to have worked with 17 of the top 20 UK housebuilders... and lots of those lower down the list. We are also adept at the marketing and PR needed to encourage footfall at marketing suites and sell units.
PPS has over twenty years experience helping food and non-food operators secure planning permission for new retail space.
We are particularly proud of having worked for one supermarket group non-stop for over seventeen years. Like all long relationships it has had ups and downs, but you have to be doing something right to work for a client for that length of time. And we are. In the last year alone, we have helped them secure permission for eight new stores and extensions.
We are privileged to work on some of the most challenging transport briefs in the country. PPS has consulted for the likes of NATS and TfL, helped win planning for projects at Stansted Airport and Felixstowe docks and more recently worked on airport related projects in Bristol and the Isle of Wight. If it's to do with planes, trains or automobiles, we're the people for you.
In recent years environment and resource concerns have been catapulted to the top of the legislative and media agenda. And many in the waste & resources sector are struggling to communicate effectively as few subjects stir such emotions and prejudices.
At PPS we have pulled together the country's most accomplished and experienced team of specialists in this area. We work for waste and resource management operators as well as renewable energy suppliers, nuclear power providers and utility companies.
Despite the changes in the media environment broadcast coverage remains high on the agenda of most of our clients - whether they are looking for it or trying to avoid it!
Understanding the specific demands of broadcast journalists and their production teams such as tight deadlines, the limited amount of time available to present a story and the need for impact is key to success. This applies whether it is a local radio station or Newsnight.
Due to the nature of much of the work we do PPS is highly experienced in dealing with the broadcast media both in proactive and reactive mode. We know how to enable our clients to get the best possible result from their involvement.
As the digital age is upon us it is imperative that organisations know how to make the most of the communications opportunities available and to be aware of the traps that await the unwary.
Digital media is instant and often unregulated which means that information and misinformation can spread faster than wildfire. For organisations used to a more orderly way of doing things this can represent a nightmare. But the digital approach is here to stay and the implications need to be understood and embraced.
Although all of our consultants have an appreciation of digital media we also employ specialists to constantly track the latest developments in order to ensure that the advice we give is relevant and accurate.
Mark Twain once famously said " the rumours of my death have been greatly exaggerated," and there can be no doubt that the print media must identify with this. We are often told that the coming generations will never read a newspaper, but for the moment at least print media is holding on and still carries considerable clout. Print still counts for many people and opinion formers.
However most have made a partial migration to embrace the digital space and this has created more opportunities, as they become 24-hour online news providers.
PPS works with print journalists from the national, regional and trade and professional media every day. We understand their needs and requirements and aim to be responsive to these even when the client has nothing to say.
We run a number of outsourced press offices for clients that manage all the proactive and reactive requirements involved. But we are equally happy supporting exiting press office teams as needed.
PPS developed the concept of the Plastics 2020 Challenge, a three year communications programme for the plastics industry to reach out and engage with a wide range of stakeholders in the UK. The aim is to challenge all stakeholders to create the conditions to ensure that no plastics need go to landfill by 2020.
The campaign utilises a range of communications disciplines and tactics and includes a considerable online element to it as well as public affairs and media relations.
The result of the media launch of the Plastics 2020 Challenge was described by the client as" the best media coverage the industry had enjoyed in a decade." Our strategy was to major on the quality broadcast media and coverage was achieved on BBC News, BBC Breakfast and the Today programme on Radio 4, as well as the national print and online media.
Click here to view BBC Breakfast coverage.
Ofsted enjoys that rare distinction for a non-ministerial government department of being a household name. Most parents with school age children have heard about Ofsted through its inspection and reporting of their local schools.
Less people will know that Ofsted also has responsibility for inspecting adult education provision and social care services.
Such high profile responsibilities in sensitive areas attract the media and Ofsted itself is under constant scrutiny to account for its own performance. Against this background communicating information accurately and effectively is a real challenge.
PPS works with Ofsted to advise on media training for its senior staff.
The commission includes workshops on messaging and context as well as developing the personal and behavioural skills needed to deliver complex messages in an investigative environment.
PPS has been tasked with increasing the level of awareness of the company amongst key audiences and handling change communications around the restructure and development of its UK operations.
PPS operates an outsourced press office for SAICA that handles all press enquires about the company, its operations and products in the UK.
In addition PPS organises stakeholder briefings with key audiences in regions where the company has a strong business interest such as Manchester, where the largest paper mill in the UK is being built.
SAICA is raising its profile with its target audiences in the UK at a pace that fits its corporate requirements and culture. So much so that Packaging News described the company in its end of year editorial review described SAICA as the most fascinating company in the sector in 2009.
PPS undertakes ongoing community and stakeholder engagement in order to inform the emerging masterplan for Land Securities' Lodge Hill mixed-use redevelopment in Medway, Kent. A media relations campaign is also underway to help raise awareness of the public consultation and explain the benefits of the project, which will deliver a new community of 5,000 homes over the next 15 years.
Innovative engagement methods have been employed by PPS to communicate with a diverse audience, including younger members of the community. PPS has implemented and oversees a youth engagement programme involving 14 secondary schools in Medway.
Since consultation commenced in 2009, the programme of community engagement has enabled a 92% reduction in negativity among the community towards development and a move towards realising the benefits of the proposals.
PPS has develop a targeted media plan designed to promote City & Country Group throughout Essex, Hertfordshire, West Sussex and the South East, to drive sales and raise the company's profile through regular communication with national, regional, consumer and property trade media.
PPS provides features ideas and stories focussing on the USP's of the development and its surrounds. PPS also carries out re-active communications to facilitate the media with ongoing stories, as well as creating press coverage from one-off opportunities highlighted by journalists and publications. PPS regularly organises journalist briefings and interviews with targeted media.
Utilising both media relations and broader communications tactics PPS also works to raise the profile of City &Country Group in the property trade press and national media through thought leadership PR.
PPS has generated over 100 pieces of coverage for City & Country Group since they started work in April 2010. This has provided more than 80 million opportunities for people to read/hear about City & Country Group.
From a standing start PPS has built awareness of the Plastics 2020 Challenge and its aims to cut the amount of plastics heading to landfill by 2020. During the first year of the campaign we had begun to build good relationships with one of our staunchest critics, the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) but we needed a campaign to develop a stronger relationship with the charity and demonstrate our shared objectives of eliminating Marine Litter.
Meanwhile we were looking at ways to develop an education programme which would encourage school children to recycle plastic and came up with the idea of "The Bottles Champions" campaign. We asked children at participating schools to recycle 10 plastic bottles each, sending us the tops as proof that the bottles had been disposed of correctly. Schools fulfilling the criteria received a brand new sports kit for the school team made out of recycled plastic bottles, demonstrating to the kids the closed loop of recycling.
We ran the competition as part of the MCS' Cool Seas Roadshow. This gave us the opportunity to reach more schools and ensure that our recycling messages were aligned with those of the MCS. Our pilot scheme reached more than 2000 children and we provided 300 new plastic kits for schools. As a result of the pilot's success the programme will continue, reaching an even greater number of schools and spreading the recycling message further.
PPS is helping Spanish packaging manufacturer SAICA to communicate and deliver local community benefits to the residents of Partington, Trafford, where it's new £300m Recycled Paper Mill is being built.
PPS has been active in identifying opportunities for how SAICA could contribute to local community projects and has been instrumental in forging links between senior management and local councillors, community organisations and schools.
Since January 2010, with PPS's assistance, SAICA now actively engages with the local community through a Community Liaison Group, has held two Business Open Days to recruit locally based employees, organised site tours for the local community, begun an education programme with a local secondary school and is on the board of The Fuse - a new youth centre for the community.
PPS is managing stakeholder relations for City and Country Group across both the private and public sector. Beyond our core media relations brief, we're working with them to cement relationships with external bodies. This ranges widely from English Heritage to the Historic Houses Association and from SAVE (Save Britain's Heritage) to the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings.
Their unique expertise in the refurbishment and restoration of listed buildings and their experience with English Heritage's Policy on Enabling Development has ensured that some beautiful listed buildings have been saved and brought back to life. The planning environment for projects such as these is not without sensitvity and as a result, local, regional and national stakeholder relationships are critical.
City and Country Group have a proud and successful record in creating outstanding developments and their schemes consistently win prestigious awards because they exceed expectations in terms of innovative, sympathetic design combined with high quality and traditional craftsmanship. Our role in supporting and developing their relationships with stakeholders helps to ensure their message is both heard and understood.
PPS has undertaken comprehensive public affairs activity for the plastics industry since 2009 to help address the many environmental issues impacting on their reputation. This work has centred on creating a unified industry platform called the Plastics 2020 Challenge bringing together three major trade associations.
Over the period we have been able to work on a targeted basis to improve the political understanding of the sector and how it is addressing its environmental impacts through reduction, reuse, recycling and recovery.
Through effective dialogue with Ministers and officials the Plastics 2020 Challenge was able to input into the 2011 government review of waste management policies to ensure effective policies to drive plastic packaging recycling were put in place.
Initiatives working with third parties have sought to address domestic litter and beach and marine pollution. The Plastics 2020 Challenge has also established a 'bottle champions' programme with primary schools which rewards school children who collect plastic bottles for recycling with new football shirts made from recycled plastic.
FINALIST FOR BEST PUBLIC AFFAIRS CAMPAIGN - PR WEEK AWARDS 2011
Cuadrilla Resources is the first company to actively explore for shale gas in the UK, commencing their operations on the Fylde coast near Blackpool.
Shale gas production is well established in North America with over 850,000 wells having been drilled, providing an increasing percentage of the continent's natural gas requirement. But the shale gas industry is encountering stiff resistance, across Europe as well as in the United States, from environmental groups and other opinion formers.
Against the background of the Gasland film being put forward for a U.S. Oscar nomination, PPS took forward Cuadrilla's preparations to give written and oral evidence to the Energy & Climate Change select committee. We also undertook extensive public affairs activity at the national and local level to explain Cuadrilla's activities.
When the Energy & Climate Change select committee issued its report on shale gas it made no substantive recommendations for restricting shale gas and crucially ruled out a Moratorium, which would have hamstrung the industry in the UK.
WINNER - BEST ISSUES & CRISIS MANAGEMENT CAMPAIGN - PR WEEK AWARDS 2011
Cuadrilla Resources is the first company to actively explore for shale gas in the UK, with operations in the Bowland shale close to Blackpool and Preston.
Shale gas production is well established in North America with over 850,000 wells having been drilled, providing an increasing percentage of the continent's natural gas requirement.
But the shale gas industry is encountering stiff resistance, across Europe as well as in the USA, from environmental groups and other opinion formers.
This has become an on going programme to win hearts and minds. And to keep a balanced, rational and informed debate when the issues can be presented in a highly emotive way.
PPS is advising Cuadrilla with regard to its communications strategy in the UK and Europe. Since January 2011 this has included public affairs at a national and local level, media relations and stakeholder communications.
In spring 2011 two very small earthquakes were recorded close to Cuadrilla's Lancashire operations and this required comprehensive management of the communications response made by the company.
Wavin is a major construction products manufacturer with operations in the UK and Europe.
The construction sector has come under ever-increasing scrutiny from regulators over its environmental track record. As such customers are demanding more and better "green" products to help them meet regulations and expectations.
PPS was commissioned by Wavin to create a communications strategy to promote its approach to sustainability - so that the company could reposition itself in a the market it believes is set to change substantially in the future. This work included conducting a senior management message workshop, a communications audit and the creation of a narrative that could be used across the company's 29 operations in Europe.
This work underpinned the launch of Recycore®Technology, an ingredient brand devised by PPS, to add credibility to a new way of manufacturing pipe products using at least 50% recycled plastic.
As part of this strategic implementation, PPS helped to source third party endorsement for Wavin's approach. This endorsement was then used to help create a wider debate about Recycore® Technology and Wavin's approach to sustainability involving the media and online communications.
Planning is different in Scotland.
Compulsory Public Consultation has changed the nature of engagement with communities and stakeholders. Local views need to be taken into account and responded to. A Pre Application Consultation Report is now one of the key planning documents, as important to your proposal as any other technical report.
PPS Scotland is ideally placed to offer professional help to meet statutory guidelines, with extensive experience of planning, politics and engagement. PPS also offers Public Affairs advice on major projects like the Edinburgh Trams, where we are working with the contractors and on local authority procurements, such as Waste.
PPS makes a key contribution to delivering new jobs and investment in Scotland. From small scale developments of just a few homes, to factories, hotels, new retail schemes, infrastructure and major mixed use developments, PPS helps build community support for developments that make a difference to communities the length and breadth of the country.
The specialist luxury and international PR team at PPS has expertise in achieving global press coverage for projects in London and creating PR campaigns for projects overseas; generating headline coverage in key publications around the world.
With extensive media contacts in the Middle East, UAE, Eastern Europe, Asia and Africa PPS can help to generate global awareness of a project through print and digital media. Our lifestyle expertise stretches beyond the property pages to consumer, specialist, luxury and travel media.
PPS can organise events, exhibitions and roadshows globally and work with leading brands for link ups and alliances to help in raising the company profile and generate sales. The PR team has worked on projects around the world including the Caribbean, Mauritius and Dubai with many projects achieving record sales off plan.
For further information contact: chanel.patterson@ppsgroup.co.uk or call 020 7529 1724
Housebuilding is in our DNA. We have worked with niche and volume housebuilders in the UK as well as developers overseas. From initial planning to strategic land and sales, we work with developers every step of the way.
We are privileged to have worked with 17 of the top 20 UK housebuilders... and lots of those lower down the list. We are adept at the marketing and PR needed to encourage footfall, awareness and create sales.
For further information contact: chanel.patterson@ppsgroup.co.uk or call 020 7529 1724
Community Insight is a new service which tells you how the community around your site is likely to respond to your planning application. It will identify which households are likely to OPPOSE, and more importantly which are likely to SUPPORT, your application. It will tell you the aspects of your scheme to stress if you want to win local support.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH A SHORT VIDEO OVERVIEW OF PPS COMMUNITY INSIGHT
They’re bright, they’re excellent communicators and they care about the quality of the work they do for you.
You can expect senior PPS staff to be among the very best in the business. You can also expect them to be actively involved in your account.
We have offices in London, North, Scotland and the South West and Wales.
Select a PPS office from the left hand menu to view our team biographies. <<<
You're spoilt for choice if you want to talk to us about work in and around the capital. We've four teams based out of our west end offices each led by one of the sharpest tools in the box.
Langham House
302-308 Regent Street
London W1B 3AT
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Telephone: 020 7529 1700
Fax: 0207 529 1702
Stephen has 25 years experience of complicated communications issues and loves to work on the trickiest and knottiest of client accounts. He has vast experience of property and planning issues across all sectors and over the years has worked on airports, football stadia, countless supermarkets, residential schemes, town centre redevelopments and much, much more. He particularly enjoys facilitating community meetings and dealing with local politicians.
He has been awarded a certificate of professional development by the Consultation Institute, writes a monthly column on localism for Housebuilder magazine and is a regular in PR Week's 'Powerbook', where he is listed as one of the most influential people in PR despite trying to stay resolutely low profile.
Paul has worked in communications consultancy for his entire career. His particular expertise is in crisis and issues management, public affairs; stakeholder relations and communications strategy. He has worked for many of the most famous organisations and brands in the world as well as government departments and agencies.
Paul heads up the reputation and advocacy team at PPS and spends the large majority of his time acting as a consultant to PPS clients across a broad range of sectors.
Mark is a thoughtful, pragmatic adviser who clients return to time and again. He cut his teeth in several leading communications consultancies before spending 10 years as head of public affairs at Whitbread. He joined PPS in 2005 and heads up our London teams.
Mark benefits from having seen the world as both client and consultant. Actively involved in client accounts, Mark has particular strengths in energy, residential and leisure projects. He is a talented facilitator of community events (he has been awarded a certificate of professional development by the Consultation Institute) and is a seasoned political operator. Mark has all the skills to guide clients through a world of localism.
Nick Sutcliffe has 15 years' experience providing strategic counsel, political lobbying and media relations services.
He has represented some of the most controversial industry sectors including energy-intensive industries, construction and development, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, private health insurance and medical devices. He has successfully used front-page media coverage to shift perceptions and achieve a step change in politicians' views and rapid shifts in public policy.
He has worked in the UK Parliament, on Capitol Hill and has served 14 years as a local councillor.
Andy Martin joined PPS after over 8 years with one of the UKs largest PR firms, combining media relations expertise with a serious political background. He's been at the heart of the communications for some of the largest and most interesting property developments including Bristol's Cabot Circus; Land Securities' Ebbsfleet Valley and Lodge Hill, both in Kent and a series of long term strategic sites across Essex.
He's been involved in a range of Consortium-led projects including Dallington Grange in Northampton and proposals for a large mixed use residential led scheme in Bath. He also works closely with a range of clients providing corporate reputation management and crisis communications support. In his view, it isn't just about achieving coverage, it's about getting the right coverage at the right time.
Julian joined PPS Group in 2008 from a global public relations and lobbying firm. At PPS, Julian has continued to devise engaging and innovative consultation programmes to support clients' projects in a broad range of sectors including retail, residential, waste and energy.
A former lobbyist for the casino industry, Julian understands the importance of building relationships and personal contact. He believes in the strength of an integrated political, community and media programme - and the value of third party support.
Julian also jealously guards PPS's own corporate reputation as the company's Compliance Officer for Ethics.
PPS's Manchester office is the largest outside London and our team has unparalleled experience in every city and most towns across the region.
Ground Floor
Hanover House
30-32 Charlotte Street
Manchester M1 4FD
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T. 0161 237 3705
F. 0161 834 2744
Sam first started work for PPS in 2000 but left for a stint in the communications team at Vodafone. When he returned in 2006, we found that his fierce intellect was undimmed but he had added layers of experience and maturity.
For the last three years, Sam has led our Manchester office. He has particular expertise in retail, residential, energy and waste management projects. He has been awarded a certificate of professional development by the Consultation Institute and is particularly adept at facilitation. He knows the politics of the local authorities across the north of England and is completely at home working with local politicians. In short he has all the skills to take projects forward in the new world of localism.
Rebecca is a Director and Head of Waste and Resources at PPS. She has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the waste-management industry: its technologies, personalities and issues. She works for a roster of clients that includes most of the major players in the industry and works for both the private and public sectors advising on communication and consultation issues. Rebecca has been awarded a certificate of professional development by the Consultation Institute. She assists on both procurement and planning projects.
Rebecca is a familiar figure in the waste management press having been a columnist for Waste Planning and now writing regularly for Recycling and Waste World and CIWM Magazine.
Kevin joined PPS Group in 2008 after a period working for the Conservative Party as an elections campaign advisor. He currently leads the team’s projects across the residential, retail and commercial sectors.
During his time at PPS, Kevin has provided political advocacy, media relations and community engagement support to clients that include Centrica, David Wilson Homes, Istithmar P&O Estates, Premier Inn, Skanska and United Utilities.
He brings his political antennae to all of the projects he works on and has secured political support for projects as diverse as waste treatment facilities, out-of-town retail parks, housing developments and the Greater Manchester Congestion Charge No Campaign.
Kevin has an MA in Political Communication from the University of Sheffield and recently completed the Chartered Institute of Public Relations highest professional qualification, the CIPR Diploma.
PPS has been in Scotland since before devolution and our team has worked on some of the defining communications issues in the country.
27 George Street
Edinburgh
EH2 2PA
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T. 0131 226 1951
F. 0131 226 1957
Donald counts his contribution to Scotland’s economy in billions of pounds and in tens of thousands of jobs. In his career in politics as Council Leader of Edinburgh and at PPS, he has been involved in many of the country’s most significant investments and development decisions.
Having worked on the delivery of one-off major developments such as the Royal Bank of Scotland Headquarters and Harvey Nichols, he also helped provide key advice to break the deadlock of Edinburgh’s Trams dispute, Donald has experience of a raft of developments the length and breadth of the country, giving him unique experience of communications and delivery.
His contribution to the handling of the G8 and Live 8 events saw the city council receive universal acclaim and the CIPR Grand Prix Award. Donald heads up PPS in Scotland and is also an associate of the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives.
Steven is one of Scotland’s leading experts on Community Consultation and renewable energy. Actively involved in a wide range of energy projects, Steven also works extensively on retail, housing, waste and infrastructure projects. His experience and invitational manner helps ensure that community engagement is both honest and genuine, a trait which is vitally important in today’s communication climate.
Steven has high-level experience in Public Affairs across many sectors, with his experience at the Food and Drink Federation and in the fishing industry standing him in good sted to deal with many challenges and hurdles that PPS clients may face.
PPS's western team has extensive experience of working across the region, in particular within housing, energy and major infrastructure projects
PPS West
5D West Wing
The Willow Brook Centre
Bradley Stoke
Bristol
BS32 8BS
T. 01454 275 630
F. 01454 275 636
Charles' CV is a history of the most controversial planning battles of the last 20 years, from the Shard of Glass, to Green Belt HQs for Computer Associates and Pfizer, to wind farms and nuclear power stations. He is the man PPS puts up for the hard cases.
In the last two years Charles has concentrated almost exclusively on major infrastructure projects, navigating the procedures and rules of the Infrastructure Planning Commission (soon to be the Major Infrastructure Planning Unit). He now combines practical experience and deep-rooted knowledge of its processes.
Charles has previously been a councillor and a parliamentary candidate. He understands local politics, is a top rate facilitator and expert in community engagement (he has been awarded a certificate of professional development by the Consultation Institute) and is completely at home as a media spokesman.
Jo joined PPS in November 2000 and has extensive experience of organising and running public consultation programmes for complex and controversial development and planning projects.
Jo has been involved in a wide range of projects in the South West and Wales on residential, mixed use, retail, telecoms and waste proposals. These include: health and safety roadshows for Orange; Wichelstowe, a major urban extension in Swindon and mixed use regeneration in Winchester City Centre.
Jo has also been the day to day project manager for PPS's work for EDF Energy at Hinkley Point C for over 18 months and has gained a great deal of knowledge about the IPC process and key issues on the ground.
Leander joined PPS in 2011, having previously been head of energy and environment for a large Bristol based PR consultancy.
Leander has spent the last 11 years working within the energy sector; in the private sector as a consultant for the likes of Envirowise, WRAP and E.ON, and as a civil servant for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Energy Saving Trust.
Leander has worked on the IPC planning application for the Bristol Channel Atlantic Array Project, on behalf of RWE Npower Renewables, and with the South West Regional Development Agency on the Wave Hub facility in Cornwall. Other recent clients include Tradewind Turbines, Devon Wind Power and SSE.
Leander provides expert and coordinated consultancy advice on a range of energy technologies including wind, marine, biomass, CCGT and shale gas.
Our highly experienced growing Welsh team is able to provide an in depth understanding on devolved policy issues, as well as localised experience and on the ground support across Wales.
Sophia House
28 Cathedral Road
Cardiff
CF11 9lJ
T. 02920 660194
M. 07867 394 314
Based in Cardiff, Clare leads on Welsh projects in terms of providing political insight and consultation strategy. Active in local politics in Cardiff, Clare is well placed to provide insights into politics and policy at a Welsh Government, as well as a local government level. Having worked in the communications industry for more than six years for both PPS Group and previously, for a national PR agency based in Cardiff, Clare also has an excellent understanding of the media in Wales.
Clare has extensive experience of delivering community engagement programmes across a range of sectors including energy, waste, residential, retail and mixed use development. Clare's experience includes undertaking IPC projects. Significant projects Clare has recently worked on in Wales include Miller Argent's proposed new surface coal mine at Nant Llesg (Caerphilly), a North Wales Residual Waste Treatment Partnership bid, strategic land promotion in Monmouthshire on behalf of Taylor Wimpey, the successfully consented redevelopment of Barry Waterfront, and a number of store expansions on behalf of Tesco.
Jo joined PPS in November 2000 and has extensive experience of organising and running public consultation programmes for complex and controversial development and planning projects.
Jo has been involved in a wide range of projects in the South West and Wales on residential, mixed use, retail, telecoms and waste proposals. These include: health and safety roadshows for Orange; Wichelstowe, a major urban extension in Swindon and mixed use regeneration in Winchester City Centre.
Jo has also been the day to day project manager for PPS's work for EDF Energy at Hinkley Point C for over 18 months and has gained a great deal of knowledge about the IPC process and key issues on the ground.
PPS has been described by its staff as an 'outstanding' place to work.
We think this comes from our culture. We recruit exceptional people, train them well and motivate them to succeed for their clients. We reward success, but also nurture and support our staff to get the very best from them. As a result, we combine high profitability with some of the lowest staff turnover in the industry.
Interested? Well contact Ann Marie Stephenson, our Head of HR.
PPS is committed to the highest standards of ethical working. We are members of the Association of Professional Political Consultants, which regulates the activities of companies providing political consultancy, and all our staff are required to adhere to their strict Code of Conduct. We have our own Ethics Committee, a Sub-Committee of the Group Board, made up of senior staff and chaired by a Non-Executive, which deals with ethical questions for the company and runs a rolling programme of reviewing aspects of our work. PPS is also a member of the Consultation Institute, dedicated to improving standards of consultation in the UK.
Further information on ethics and how we work is available on request.
Providing consistent high quality work across a network like ours is a challenge. But its one we make every effort to meet.
The starting point is to hire good people: and we do. Beyond that, the Company has rigorous internal quality standards drawn from the best of best practise. We then train our staff on how to achieve them using our in-house quality programme 'Operation Heston' which draws inspiration from obsessive, detail driven chef, Heston Blumenthal. We like his approach - look after the details and the Michelin stars will look after themselves.
At PPS, we take our environmental responsibilities seriously and are currently working towards ISO 9001. For instance,
For us, equal opportunity is more than a politically correct duty - its sound business sense. So we employ the best people and we guarantee that career progression at PPS won't be affected by your race, creed, colour, age, sexual orientation, political beliefs, accent or disability, in fact, anything other than your ability.
We get involved in the communities we operate in. At a basic level, this means allowing staff time off to undertake worthwhile community-focussed activity. We have employees who are councillors and others who work with charities or local schools.
And PPS also gets involved by working on worthwhile projects for free. For instance, since 2007 we have been helping the BW Foundation, a Muslim charity, get planning permission for a multi faith community centre in Harrow. It's a complicated scheme but we believe in it and have been able to demonstrate enormous community support.
Free wall map
Now in its 18th edition, the PPS wall map of local council political control across England, Scotland and Wales is available free
Limited edition ‘word cloud’ poster
Only 500 high quality prints available. The poster is the first of its kind measures 50cm x 70cm and costs £9.99 + VAT including delivery.
Political map app
You can also download the PPS political map iPhone app, launched in 2010, the app is the first of its kind; an interactive political map providing in depth detail of political control and composition and contact links for every level of government.
2012 version is now available in the appstore with an iPad version currently in development.
See left hand menu to order maps or app. <<<
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