The founder of a communications consultancy that specialises in helping purpose-driven companies and charities has been recognised at the PR industry’s leading awards.
Ben Veal, Chartered PR Practitioner and director of Wiltshire-based Second Mountain Comms, was awarded the ‘Mark of Excellence’ for Independent PR Practitioner of the Year at the 2022 Excellence Awards, hosted by the CIPR (Chartered Institute of Public Relations) in London on June 8th.
Celebrating its 38th year, the CIPR Excellence Awards are the most prestigious awards in the public relations industry and truly reflect best practice in communications, recognising the work of PR practitioners around the globe.
Hosted by BBC presenter Jason Mohammad, the Awards - headline sponsored by 3GEM - saw over 550 PR professionals celebrate the stand-out agencies, teams and individuals from the last 12 months at The Artillery Garden at the HAC, London. Introducing the Awards was BEIS Minister Rowley from the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy who spoke of the UK PR industry as leading the world and as a “trusted and valued sector”.
Ben Veal Chart.PR, MCIPR, founder of Second Mountain Comms, says:
“To be recognised at this high level by my peers within the PR industry as a leading independent practitioner is genuinely overwhelming. I set up a business with purpose at its heart during those very tough early months of the pandemic; to have seen it flourish during this time, and to have been able to directly support some truly inspiring charities and companies over these last two up-and-down years, has been a real joy and the highlight of my professional career to date.”
CIPR President Rachel Roberts Chart.PR, MCIPR, adds:
“It was a fantastic experience to bring everyone together for a night of well-deserved celebrations at the CIPR Excellence Awards after a couple of years away. When a light is shone on our industry, as it was last night, it really demonstrates the breadth of talent, creativity, and passion that flows throughout it. Ours is work that makes a difference for our organisations, our clients, and the public and it is what makes PR one of the most rewarding industries to work in.”
Second Mountain Comms was established in the summer of 2020, shortly after the first national lockdown. Its central mission - helping good people do good, by amplifying their stories and accomplishments - has led to Ben and a team of trusted creative partners delivering strategic PR and content campaigns for a host of regional, national and international clients including mental health support charities Charlie Waller Trust and Somewhere House Somerset, sustainable tea producer Organic India, and People against Poverty, a Wiltshire-based not-for-profit organisation committed to alleviating poverty around the world.
“The purpose that exists behind businesses matters more now than it ever has before," adds Ben. “A fast-growing percentage of both consumers and employees alike expect organisations to operate ethically and sustainably. The brave new world that we’re now beginning to move towards post-pandemic calls for more brands and business leaders that are committed to making a genuine, positive impact on society going forward, and it’s the stories of these individuals and firms that I’m truly excited to have the opportunity to share.”
To learn more about Second Mountain Comms, visit www.secondmountaincomms.co.uk or follow @2ndMountainUK on Twitter.