The founder of a Bath-based specialist communications consultancy launched during the first Covid lockdown has been named as a finalist in the UK public relations industry’s most prestigious award scheme.
Ben Veal, pictured, opened Second Mountain Communications for business in summer 2000 with a mission to help good people to do good by sharing their values and accomplishments in meaningful ways.
It has since grown its client base of ethical and purpose-driven companies by 25% year-on-year while also providing pro-bono comms support to two local charities on an ongoing basis.
Ben is one of four finalists in the Independent PR Practitioner of the Year category of the national CIPR Excellence Awards.
Now celebrating their 38th year, the awards reflect best practice in communications.
Ben won Gold in the same category in the CIPR South of England and Channel Islands PRide Awards last October.
Ben, who lost his previous job at the start of the pandemic, established Second Mountain Communications based on core business values of reliability, honesty, transparency and putting quality above all else, with close adherence to the CIPR’s strict code of professional conduct.
The business is a Gold ethical member of the Business against Poverty movement and is part of the Better Business Act coalition.
Since its launch it has since worked closely alongside charities including People against Poverty, The Charlie Waller Trust and Wiltshire Youth for Christ.
Ben, who is the current chair of the CIPR South West regional committee, said he was looking forward to the national awards ceremony with anticipation.
“I’d have never dreamed, less than two years ago when I started out as an independent PR consultant, that I would now be a finalist for the national CIPR Excellence Awards.
“It really is a massive honour and a huge personal achievement.
“Starting a business during a pandemic hasn’t been easy, yet I’d never look back now. I’ve had the privilege of working with great, purpose-driven businesses and charities, helping them to tell their stories and communicate their impact during these uncertain times, and to be recognised by the CIPR’s judges at a national level for this work is truly encouraging.”
The awards will be presented at a ceremony in London this June.
