Hugh Colver

Joining and leaving the Tory Party, 1995

Hugh Colver, a 50-year-old PR expert, walked out of Central Office to complete a shake-up by party chairman Brian Mawhinney of the men running the Tory propaganda machine. Dr Mawhinney said he regretted Mr Colver's departure but Tory insiders said the chairman's 'bullying' approach had made it inevitable. The move follows reports of furious rows at Central Office over the way the party's message was being put across. Last night Mr Colver said he found the new Labour-bashing style rather distasteful.

BAe

BAE Systems, Europe's largest defence company, will take the prize "for best omission from a corporate social responsibility report". Its 2003 report skillfully omits the company's biggest environmental and social impact, claims FOE.

Despite £ 12 billion worth of arms sales to more than 130 countries, the report "contains no disclosure of how this defence company ensures its weaponry does not exacerbate regional conflict and aid corruption and human rights abuses", says FOE. BAE's report does reveal, however, that it is working on removing lead from bullets and shells. "Lead used in ammunition can harm the environment and pose a risk to people," it observes.

BAE runs aviation, naval and other military businesses in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Prestwick, Dunfermline and Bishopton. With headquarters in London and a major presence in North America, the company's share price rose 30% within a few weeks of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the US. "No matter how hard BAE tries to disguise the fact through its deceptive use of language, the fact remains that its primary aim is to develop ways of killing people and wrecking lives as effectively and efficiently as possible," said FOE Scotland's chief executive Duncan McLaren.

BAE reacted angrily to news of its award, strongly defending its corporate ethics. "We are in the business of protecting and defending the planet and our record is as good as any," argued the group's communications director Hugh Colver. FOE's allegations were "offensive" and "complete nonsense", he said. "I wouldn't dignify this award by turning up to accept it. It is a cheap propaganda ploy."

Career

He started his career as a reporter himself contributing to both the Financial Times and the Guardian. He then moved to the MoD as a press officer and later worked in a sucession of PR jobs, before landing in Downing Street. He was chief press officer at the Department of Employment from 1982-84, then worked as deputy director of information at the Metropolitan Police, returning to the MoD as deputy chief of PR in 1985. As chief of public relations at the MoD, he was principal adviser to the Defence Secretary and other ministers on policy presentation. He was also the chief spokesman and was responsible for managing 200 staff. In 1992 he moved to BAe as director of public affairs, before rising to acting director of communications last year, responsible for media relations, publicity, Government and Parliamentary liaison, advertising, sponsorship, campaigns and internal communications.

• Ministry of Defence,
• Chief Press Officer at the Department of Employment 1982-4
• Deputy Director of Information at the Metropolitan Police
• Chief of Public Relations at the MoD 1987-92 (including Gulf War 1)
• worked for Prime Minister John Major (including the Conservative Party leadership contest)
• Director of Public Affairs for British Aerospace Defence 1992-1995.
• Conservative Party Director of communications, 1995
• Group Communications Director for BAE Systems plc, 2000-2004

On being appointed to BAe sSystem Colver reported to John Weston replacing Locksley Ryan who moved to Brunswick.

Affiliations

• Defence Public Affairs Consultants
• Europac Group
• Praetorian Protection