Industry News

6th February 2012

RSA invites Tenders for Public Affairs Support

With a 300 year heritage, RSA is one of the world's leading multinational insurance groups. Focusing on general insurance, we are the largest commercial lines insurer and one of the top four personal motor and household insurers in the UK.

We are inviting tenders for our public affairs work. RSA will continue to face fast-paced and large-scale regulatory and political change and we are looking for a consultancy who can advise and support the in-house Public Affairs team in delivering an integrated public affairs programme in the UK (including Westminster, Whitehall and on a more ad-hoc basis, Holyrood) and the EU (Brussels). We are looking for a creative and enthusiastic approach; and support in intelligence gathering, issues management and messaging, strategic counsel and advice on thought leadership campaigning.

The deadline for initial expressions of interest in responding to the tender has now passed.

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The 'PubAffairs Pitch' service was first used in 2008 and provides clients with an efficient and effective mechanism for publishing details of project work and retainer opportunities to public affairs consultancies and the wider public affairs industry. For details about circulating your invitation to tender please contact PubAffairs.

1st February 2012

Ellway launches Lynch-Pin with new APPG on Landmines

Public affairs professional Nigel Ellway has launched his own public affairs consultancy Lynch-Pin Communications Ltd specialising in international development and humanitarian issues.

Ellway took redundancy from quango Natural England last year and immediately set to work creating a new All Party Parliamentary Group on Landmines and Unexploded Weapons of Conflict. In setting up the group he sought support from the humanitarian agencies, particularly the Mines Advisory Group International in Manchester, industry organisations and the UK government departments responsible for landmines policy.

Ellway’s background in Public Affairs stretches back many years. A journalist by trade he has been a Whitehall press officer, spent four years working for the Prince of Wales’ charity Business in the Community and seven years working for the Prime Minister’s Rural Advocate before joining Natural England in 2006.

The All Party parliamentary Group on Landmines and Unexploded Weapons of Conflict – chaired by Pauline Latham OBE MP - will draw attention to the humanitarian consequences of the manufacture and use of landmines and cluster munitions, and to raise the profile of the humanitarian benefits of mine and other unexploded ordnance clearance, campaigning for appropriate policy change and acting as a focal point for debate and the exchange of ideas, views and information.

For further information please email nigel@nigelellway.com

20th January 2012

Statutory Register of Lobbyists Consultation Published

Minister for Political and Constitutional Reform, Mark Harper, has finally launched a twelve week consultation on the Government’s proposals for a Statutory Register of Lobbyists, inviting views from the public and industry on how the register should work.

The proposals include consultation on:

• the definition of a lobbyist (lobbyists should be defined as ‘those who seek to influence or change government policy on behalf of a third party’)
• who should be required to register (anyone who seeks to influence central government or Parliament on behalf of a third party should register. This would include lobbying companies and individuals who lobby government and MPs on behalf of other people)
• what information should be collected about them and the companies on behalf of which they lobby
• how the register should be funded (funding could come from companies and individuals who register in the form of an annual subscription).

The proposal does not include detailed financial information, as this could provide too great an administrative burden, however the Government is also seeking views on whether it would be useful to give an idea of how much each client pays, without affecting commercial confidentiality.

Mark Harper said “Lobbying has an important role in the policy making process, ensuring that Ministers and senior officials hear a full range of views from those who will be affected by Government decisions. But it must be conducted in a transparent and open way.”

The consultation closes on 13 April 2012. Click here to download the consultation documents.

19th January 2012

CIPR Public Affairs Group Competition: Parliamentary Researcher of the Year 2012

CIPR Public Affairs (PA) is running a competition to recognise the researcher who has provided the most valuable contribution in supporting the work of a Member of Parliament.

The winning researcher will receive an iPad, one year’s free membership of CIPR PA (to be started at a time of their choosing), and a free one-to-one career consultation with Gavin Ellwood, the main board director of specialist communications and public affairs recruitment agency, Ellwood & Atfield. Two runners-up will also receive one year’s membership of the group.

CIPR PA Committee Members will form the judging panel which will draw up a short list from those nominated. However, the winner will be selected by an online vote. The deadline for entries is 31 January 2012.

Commenting on the awards, Iain Anderson, Chair of CIPR PA said “CIPR PA is delighted to launch this award for Parliamentary Researcher of the Year. We are looking for a winner who provides excellent resources to their MP or Peer and who engages actively outside the Westminster bubble.”

Entry Criteria: The competition is limited to support staff of Members of Parliament or Peers who hold a Parliamentary pass.

How to enter:

Self Nomination

• 400 word self-nomination which details specific examples of how they have contributed to the work of their Parliamentarian.
• 200 word supporting statement from employer, colleague, or friend within Parliament.

Colleague Nomination

• Two 200 word nomination statements from two separate individuals including employer, colleague, or friend within Parliament.

Either type of nomination may include supporting evidence (news coverage, photos etc) and nominations should be sent to ciprparesearcher@gmail.com

22nd November 2011

Experienced trainer and therapist Lea Clark

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By learning to control your anxiety you will be able to perform to the best of your ability and improve your chance of success. You will feel confident in your knowledge, able to think clearly and concentrate on what you want to say, instead of worrying about your performance.

Change your overwhelming worry into excitement and positive energy with a few sessions of coaching / therapy.

Lea Clark is a qualified and highly experienced trainer and therapist, using methods including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Hypnotherapy. She will help you learn to control your feelings and anxiety in order to assist you in securing your dream job.

For more information about how Lea can help, please visit www.unwind.me.uk or contact her directly in the strictest confidence on 07983 538 282 or leaic@btinternet.com.

18th November 2011

DeHavilland EU announces its Energy Open Content Week

DeHavilland EU, the leading provider of political intelligence and monitoring services, has launched its energy open content week. This initiative provides government relations professionals working in this sector with complimentary access to a range of specialist services. 

Helene Champagne, DeHavilland EU Director explains: “The current fears of the recession and the debt crisis should not distract us from the biggest challenge that Europe is facing – the transition towards a low carbon economy. Most organisations will be affected by the energy revolution that is steered by the European Commission. Forward planning of regulatory risks & opportunities has never been so important for organisations in times of budget constraints.”

“In order to stimulate the EU debate ahead of the release of the Europe 2050 Roadmap, we will be showcasing our services for free, from 28 November – 2 December 2011. This is a great opportunity for Public Affairs professionals with interests in the energy sector to gain access to our political monitoring and legislation tracking services as well as our political research support and contact management database.”

To find out more about DeHavilland EU’s Energy Open Content week visit http://www1.dehavillandeurope.eu/energy

15th November 2011

PubAffairs Freelance Network launched

PubAffairs has today launched a sub-grouping for freelance, interim and micro-business professionals.

Building on the success of the regular monthly PubAffairs networking events, which have been running for the last 10 years, January 2012 will see the first informal gathering of the PubAffairs Freelance Network in Westminster.

The PubAffairs Freelance Network is free to join and presents an opportunity for the freelance community to:

• network with their peers;
• share experiences on working practices; and
• forge new business relationships and seek out new business opportunities.

Critically for those considering self-employment and setting up on their own, the PubAffairs Freelance Network will provide practitioners with invaluable insight and advice about the practical aspects of freelancing and setting up a consultancy business.

As the PubAffairs group approaches its 10 year anniversary at the start of 2012, the PubAffairs Freelance Network is the first of a number of exciting developments which will form part of the group’s expansion.

PubAffairs Founder and Director, Phil Murphy said:

“The number of freelancers offering public affairs services have steadily increased in recent years. Whether commissioned for short-term interim or on an on-going basis for increasing organisational capacity, freelancers form a flexible and integral part of the public affairs industry: setting up the PubAffairs Freelance Network reflects this importance."

"Having worked freelance for a number of years, it can be an exciting, but daunting, challenge. The PubAffairs Freelance Network will put a broad-range of people together to share experiences and encourage building individual contact networks: the group’s creation is an active and positive development for the public affairs industry.”

To become part of the PubAffairs Freelance Network and attend its inaugural event please contact Phil Murphy.

1st November 2011

Campaign Train Courses

Campaign Train offers innovative advocacy and communications solutions to the voluntary, public and business sectors. Campaign Train provides organisational and campaigns consultancy, personalised one-on-one mentoring and in-house training workshops. We also run thought leader events on the art of campaigning.

Forthcoming Training Courses

Elevator pitch training

• 6 December, 12.30pm – 5.30pm including networking lunch
• Mint Hotel, Westminster
• A bespoke workshop for Directors or Heads of Campaigns, Communications, Policy or Public Affairs, Campaign Train’s Elevator Pitch workshop focuses on delivering a succinct, well-crafted two-minute pitch in line with an organisation’s brand, mission and values. Delegates will pitch to a film crew and will receive a DVD following the course. Click here for course details.

Campaign strategy workshop (2 parts)

• 29 November 9.30am – 4.30pm and 5 January 9am - 4.30pm
• The Abbey Centre, Westminster
• Campaign Train’s cutting-edge campaign strategy workshop is designed to help you devise and execute a successful campaign by employing a tried and tested methodology. Delivered by an experienced campaigner and change agent, the workshop will offer you a controlled campaign scenario. Click here for course details.

Public Affairs survival workshop

• 1 December, 9.30am-4.30pm
• The Abbey Centre, Westminster
• Campaign Train’s Public Affairs survival workshop offers insight and understanding into the true workings of Whitehall and Westminster, giving training on: EDMs, Private Members’ Bills, Select Committee inquiries, working with APPGs, PQs and debates. Click here for course details.

To book or for more information please email training@campaigntrain.co.uk and to learn more about what we do visit www.campaigntrain.co.uk

24th October 2011

The Future Face of British Politics

The Madano Partnership is pleased to offer all PubAffairs members a free copy of our latest report The Future Face of British Politics? Quantifying the rising stars from the Class of 2010.

Unlike the other assessments of the new class of MPs, Madano have set out to demonstrate that you can identify the rising stars using quantitative metrics that evaluate the two key facets of modern politics – building media profile and leveraging parliamentary influence.

The report is available for download here and for more information on Madano, please visit our website www.madano.com

6th October 2011

IPT Brussels Visit: An Introduction to the EU: 6th and 7th December 2011

Introduction to the EU is a two-day training course which takes place in the European Parliament and the European Commission. It provides an understanding of the EU’s institutions, how policy is formulated, the path of legislation, and the current and future economic, political and social trends that influence policy. The course provides practical advice about engaging with the EU institutions and influencing EU legislation. Key senior representatives from the European Parliament, Commission, the Council of the European Union and the UK Permanent Representation to the EU will address delegates throughout the course. For more information click here.

Sessions include

• An Introduction to the European Union
• The Legislative Process of the European Union
• The Council of the European Union
• Introduction to the European Parliament
• The European Parliament’s Legislative Agenda
• The Political Groups of the European Parliament
• The Committees of the European Parliament
• An Introduction to the European Commission

Places cost £1,100 and include return transportation, central hotel accommodation, lunches and breakfast. If you would like more information, see a sample programme, or to make a booking, please contact Sarah Baldwin on 020 7839 9414 or at sarahbaldwin@ipt.org.uk

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