Difference between revisions of "PPS Group"

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'''PPS''' is a multi-client lobbying firm specialising in the property and development industry. Established in 1990 as [[Political Planning Services]], PPS Group was formed in 1999 with two operating companies: [[PPS (Local & Regional) Ltd]] and [[PPS (Public Affairs) Ltd]].<ref>Political Wizard [http://www.politicalwizard.co.uk/administration/pwapp/home.php?app=db&uid=&SD=&defn=13&type=71&org=2566 Databases >Public Affairs >Public Affairs Consultancies >PPS Group Ltd], accessed 13 November 2009</ref> With a strapline of 'working in the tougher areas of communications', PPS has more than once been accused of employing unethical tactics.
 
'''PPS''' is a multi-client lobbying firm specialising in the property and development industry. Established in 1990 as [[Political Planning Services]], PPS Group was formed in 1999 with two operating companies: [[PPS (Local & Regional) Ltd]] and [[PPS (Public Affairs) Ltd]].<ref>Political Wizard [http://www.politicalwizard.co.uk/administration/pwapp/home.php?app=db&uid=&SD=&defn=13&type=71&org=2566 Databases >Public Affairs >Public Affairs Consultancies >PPS Group Ltd], accessed 13 November 2009</ref> With a strapline of 'working in the tougher areas of communications', PPS has more than once been accused of employing unethical tactics.
  
In November 2014 it was announced that [[Porta Communications]], run by [[David Wright (PR)| David Wright]] and includes [[Newgate Communications]], [[Redleaf Polhill]] and [[Thirteen Communications]], was buying PPS for £6.2million paid for in a combination of cash and shares in [[Porta Communications]]. PPS would be merging with [[Newgate Communications]] with [[Stephen Byfield]] becoming head of [[Newgate Communications| Newgate]]'s public affairs practice.<ref> [http://www.prweek.com/article/1321267/porta-buys-pps-62m-strengthen-newgate-operation Porta buys PPS for £6.2m to strengthen Newgate operation] ''PR Week'', 11 November 2014, accessed 14 November 2014 </ref>
+
In November 2014 it was announced that [[Porta Communications]], run by [[David Wright (PR)| David Wright]] and includes [[Newgate Communications]], [[Redleaf Polhill]] and [[Thirteen Communications]], was buying PPS for £6.2million paid for in a combination of cash and shares in [[Porta Communications]]. PPS would be merging with [[Newgate Communications]] with [[Stephen Byfield]] becoming head of [[Newgate Communications| Newgate]]'s public affairs practice. On the takeover Byfield said: "PPS has been independent for nearly 25 years. We have achieved great things in that time but an injection of fresh capital and thinking is just what we need to foster our growth and innovation."<ref> [http://www.prweek.com/article/1321267/porta-buys-pps-62m-strengthen-newgate-operation Porta buys PPS for £6.2m to strengthen Newgate operation] ''PR Week'', 11 November 2014, accessed 14 November 2014 </ref>
  
 
==Criticism==
 
==Criticism==

Revision as of 16:20, 14 November 2014

Twenty-pound-notes.jpg This article is part of the Lobbying Portal, a sunlight project from Spinwatch.
Nuclear spin.png This article is part of the Nuclear Spin project of Spinwatch.

PPS is a multi-client lobbying firm specialising in the property and development industry. Established in 1990 as Political Planning Services, PPS Group was formed in 1999 with two operating companies: PPS (Local & Regional) Ltd and PPS (Public Affairs) Ltd.[1] With a strapline of 'working in the tougher areas of communications', PPS has more than once been accused of employing unethical tactics.

In November 2014 it was announced that Porta Communications, run by David Wright and includes Newgate Communications, Redleaf Polhill and Thirteen Communications, was buying PPS for £6.2million paid for in a combination of cash and shares in Porta Communications. PPS would be merging with Newgate Communications with Stephen Byfield becoming head of Newgate's public affairs practice. On the takeover Byfield said: "PPS has been independent for nearly 25 years. We have achieved great things in that time but an injection of fresh capital and thinking is just what we need to foster our growth and innovation."[2]

Criticism

Evening Standard journalist Andrew Gilligan wrote in July 2007:

FROM its headquarters in Mayfair, PPS has become the key player in a little-known corner of the PR industry - the branch that specialises in winning developers planning permission for unpopular schemes. Local protesters, residents' groups and even council planners may never have heard of PPS but PPS knows all about them. Its 60 staff act as the public face of controversial developments, and run a sophisticated war machine to get those developments past the objectors.
The company was founded 17 years ago by Stephen Byfield, a former staffer for a Labour MP, and Charles St George, an ex-Tory councillor. Its client list reads like a roll-call of the development industry: volume housebuilders, such as Barratt, Wimpey, and Taylor Woodrow; big retailers; quarry owners; and power stations. Mr St George, now the company's director of special projects, lives on a country estate in Somerset and is described by PPS as having 'expertise in just about everything'. Mr Byfield remains the managing director of PPS and is heavily involved in BAA's hugely controversial project to expand Stansted Airport.[3]

Fake letter writing

Imperial Wharf, London

Private eye reports on PPS

On 30 July 2007, PPS was exposed by Channel 4’s Dispatches programme and the Evening Standard for using ‘trickery, deceit and manipulation’ to secure planning permission for certain developments. They were accused of bugging private council meetings, forging letters from residents in support of developers and disguising themselves as students to help builders, St George, obtain planning permission for more than 700 homes in Fulham [4] The Standard also received internal PPS documents, leaked by concerned staff, showing the then PPS director in charge of the Imperial Wharf account, Nick Keable, describing how the company had 'created a large number of letters for projects as diverse as power stations, quarries, and supermarkets.' This is all in breach of the APPC’s code of conduct, of which PPS is a member.

The [ES] report found that many of the supposedly favourable letters sent to the council backing a massive St George Developments scheme at Imperial Wharf, Fulham, came from people who could not be traced. Other, real, residents told ES that letters they had supposedly sent, backing the development, did not reflect their views, were not written by them and included signatures that had been faked. Internal PPS documents, leaked to ES by concerned staff, show the then PPS director in charge of the Imperial Wharf account, Nick Keable, describing how the company had 'created a large number of letters for projects as diverse as power stations, quarries, and supermarkets...'

'PPS has conducted a campaign of this kind for St George as part of their programme to secure planning permission for Imperial Wharf. A steady stream of positive letters, garnered by PPS, has helped to right the balance in St George's favour.'

The Standard also 'obtained a PPS document instructing a staff member to pose as a student in order to get information from councillors', and told of 'how the local councillor for Imperial Wharf, Brendan Bird, was visited by two people claiming to be students and asking detailed questions about the planning application.'

BAA and Stansted

A similar fake letter campaign took place regarding Stansted airport expansion, although the Evening Standard couldn’t prove that the letters came from PPS.[5]:

The Evening Standard reported:

At an SSE [Stop Stansted Expansion] public meeting in January 2006, Carol Barbone, the group's chair, was approached by a young man, Phil Bartram, saying he was a journalism student and wondering if he could take... copies of SSE's research and slideshow presentations for his studies. Ms Barbone handed them over.
Only several months later, when a supporter received a message from Mr Bartram with a BAA email address, did she realise that he was actually on a work placement with, and subsequently fully employed by, BAA.
The lobbyists' trade body, the Association of Professional Political Consultants (APPC), held an emergency meeting on Friday to discuss possible action against PPS following our report. The report found that many of the supposedly favourable letters sent to the council backing a massive St George Developments scheme at Imperial Wharf, Fulham, came from people who could not be traced.
Other, real, residents told us that letters they had supposedly sent, backing the development, did not reflect their views, were not written by them and included signatures that had been faked. Internal PPS documents, leaked to us by concerned staff, show the then PPS director in charge of the Imperial Wharf account, Nick Keable, describing how the company had "created a large number of letters for projects as diverse as power stations, quarries, and supermarkets....
"PPS has conducted a campaign of this kind for St George as part of their programme to secure planning permission for Imperial Wharf. A steady stream of positive letters, garnered by PPS, has helped to right the balance in St George's favour."WE ALSO obtained a PPS document instructing a staff member to pose as a student in order to get information from councillors, and we told of how the local councillor for Imperial Wharf, Brendan Bird, was visited by two people claiming to be students and asking detailed questions about the planning application.
BAA's director of communications for Stansted, Mark Pendlington, is a former managing director of PPS. And PPS, we can reveal, has also been retained by BAA at Stansted to help win its case. The PPS website says that the lobbyist's managing director, Stephen Byfield, is "currently working on the consultation programme for Stansted Airport's expansion". The latest APPC register lists BAA Lynton, the airport operator's property arm, as a PPS client.
"Since Pendlington took over the atmosphere has changed," says Brian Ross, a senior officer with Stop Stansted Expansion. "It has started to get a lot more personal." The Standard has no direct evidence linking PPS to the fake letters sent to newspapers supporting the airport expansion. PPS specifically denies any such involvement. Mr Byfield told the Standard: "Our job at Stansted was to advise on the consultation programme. The last piece of work we did for them was about two months ago. We were not involved in support letter generation, and if you even seek to imply that we were, we will sue your arse." PPS and Mr Keable have also denied the allegations of forgery at Imperial Wharf, saying they would "never" forge letters.
A spokesman for BAA initially claimed to the Standard that PPS's work at Stansted had ended "more than two years ago". Told about the entries in the APPC register and on PPS's own website, BAA amended its statement to clarify that PPS has worked for the airport operator as recently as May. BAA conceded that Philip Bartram had sought information from Stop Stansted Expansion, describing himself as a journalism student, in the way that campaigners have said.
However, it said Mr Bartram was only on a work placement with BAA at the time, although he was subsequently employed by the company. It said it had not instructed him to represent himself as a student. BAA denied that either it or its contractors had used forgery and suggested the fake letters might be from real people who were too afraid to give their names.

APPC response

The APPC held an emergency meeting in July 2007.[6] APPC chair Gill Morris said PPS’ law firm Carter-Ruck was reviewing the coverage.

Lobbying for energy firms

PPS says that it 'has worked with most of the UK's big energy companies as well as many of the smaller players in the market'.

Energy policy is rarely out of the headlines meaning that even local projects can become national news overnight. Our team blends stakeholder engagement, media relations and public affairs to help our clients meet the challenges facing the industry in the UK.
Whether it's supporting a successful NSIP application for nuclear new build on behalf of EDF Energy or securing support from key politicians shale gas exploration for Cuadrilla, we understand the technologies, market and political issues which can affect your company.
Our experience covers nuclear, on and offshore wind, gas, CCS, biomass, unconventional hydrocarbon, marine, and associated grid connections to name but a few. This gives us unprecedented market insight. [7]

Nuclear

Among PPS Group's clients is EDF Energy, who the agency worked with for over three years on one of the "largest planning consultations ever held in the UK" for a new nuclear power plant at Hinkley Point C project. This involved supporting EDF Energy New Nuclear Build "with the design, management and delivery of its statutory pre-application consultation process for the new power station". PPS's Stephen Byfield called it a "significant logistical challenge":

During two years of formal, statutory consultation for the Hinkley Point C project, 34 public exhibitions were held, 67 local meetings took place, nearly 6,500 consultees were engaged and there were more than 100,000 visitors to the dedicated consultation website established by EDF Energy. In total, more than 2,000 consultation responses were received and 33,000 comments processed in a detailed consultation report submitted with the application.

PPS Group director, Charles St George, who led the project, argued that from PPS’s point of view,

the value of the process was demonstrated by the fact that EDF Energy made changes to its plans in several key respects in response to the consultation. The final proposals for Hinkley Point C represent a better outcome for the affected local communities and that’s a direct result of the pre-application consultation". [8]

PPS states that it has 'already helped to establish EDF Energy’s status with the affected local communities as new owners and potential operators of the new power stations. We are now working with EDF Energy to implement extensive pre-application community consultation and communications activities to support forthcoming applications to the IPC for new nuclear build at both sites'. [9]

Fracking

Rapped for advertising code breaches

In 2012 PPS produced a brochure for fracking firm Cuadrilla, entitled "Summer 2012 Exploring For Natural Gas Cuadrilla Resources is exploring for natural gas in Lancashire" which the Advertising Standards Authority found contained claims partially breached CAP Code (Edition 12) rules 3.1 and 3.3 (Misleading advertising) and 3.11 (Exaggeration). [10] [11]

'Getting the facts across' on Shale gas and 'winning a social licence to operate'

In November 2012 PPS director Paul Kelly gave a talk at the SMI Shale Gas environmental summit on the subject of 'Effective Communication – Getting the facts across about the environmental impact of Shale Gas'.

Paul spoke about the need to embrace the concept of winning a social license to operate and set out the key ground rules for effective communication in local communities. He explained how it was vital to fully understand the local community by listening to it while also securing the buy in from all levels of the company seeking the license to operate. Finally he gave some tips on how to present clear factual communication of the issues surrounding on shore energy exploration. [12]

Breakfasting with MPs

In December 2012 PPS hosted a roundtable shale gas breakfast at the UK House of Commons. This followed the publication of the British government’s gas strategy on 5 December. PPS reported that:

Christopher Pincher MP, a member of the energy and climate change select committee, set out his views on the potential for shale gas and his thoughts on the energy bill. Over 25 guests from across the on-shore oil and gas sector attended the event. [13]


Community engagement

In October 2013 PPS director Paul Kelly addressed the UK Shale Gas Summit as part of a panel of industry experts discussing how to effectively engage with communities. The event also marked the publication of a recent PPS survey on public attitudes to community benefits and energy infrastructure.

During a lively debate, Paul focused on his experience on the ground and stressed that while no two communities are the same, and some level of protest is inevitable, the key is to understand and address each communities specific concerns whilst ensuring the facts are clearly and consistently communicated, at both a local and national level.
Other speakers included DECC’s head of unconventional gas and oil, Duarte Figueira, Environment Agency’s head of community, Tony Grayling and Tim Yeo MP.

[14]

Shale gas clients

From August 2013 the APPC lobbying register showed PPS as handling the account for Cuadrilla Balcombe rather than Cuadrilla as a group - Hanover Communications is listed as the agency responsible. [15] It also handles public affairs for Celtique Energy.

Edinburgh Council link

In October 2007, PPS hired Donald Anderson as director of the PPS Group’s Scotland office. Anderson was leader of Edinburgh City Council from 1999 to 2006. During this time, Anderson supported an unpopular new development by Mountgrange Capital, the massive Caltongate scheme, that will see parts of the Old City overhauled to build luxury flats (listed and sound un-listed buildings demolished). It has been heavily critised for the scale and quality of the proposed new buildings, the impact on views and inadequate public consultation.[16] Mountgrange Capital is a client of PPS although it insists that Anderson will not be working on the account. Anderson insisted his current employment at PPS was not linked to his support of Mountgrange’s plans while he was council leader. ‘It’s a laughable notion,’ he said. ‘I didn’t carry undue influence.[17]

Clients

June 2014-August

Airvolution | Anchor Homes | Annington Homes | Armstrong Kent | Axion Land | Barratt Homes | Batched on Site Association | Birmigham Oratory | C.G. Fry and Sons | Cala Homes | Camden Lock Markets Ltd | Carrington Power Ltd | Cathelco Group | Celtic Array | Celtique Energy | Chelstone Management Ltd | City and Country Homes Ltd | Claremont Fan Court Foundation Ltd | Crest Nicholson | Cuadrilla Balcombe Limited | Cuadrilla Bowland Ltd | Dandara Ltd | Discovery Park | Doric properties | Drum Property Group | EDF Energy | Edward VII Estates | Eider Homes | Eon Climate and Renewables | Ewart Properties | Force 9 | Galliford Try Partnership | Gatwick Airport Ltd | Gazeley Uk Ltd | General Motors | Gerald Eve | Goodman Logistics | Hargreaves Services Ltd | Harrow Estates | Hawk Developments UK Ltd | Henderson Global Investors | Hollamby Estates | Ineos Enterprises Ltd | Jackamax Ltd | Kent Enviropower Ltd | Kirkwood Homes Ltd | Koopmans Ltd | Lafarge Tarmac | Lambert Smith Hampton | Land Securities | Linden Homes | London Resort Company Holdings | Lumicity Ltd | Marplace (number 480) Ltd | Merton properties | Mill Farm Verntures Ltd | Miller Argent (South Wales) Ltd | Miller Homes | Morrish Builders | Murray Estates | National Grid | Northpoint Developments Ltd | Oakhill Group | Peel Environmental Holdings Ltd | Pegasus Life | Plasco Energy Group | Plastics 2020 | Princess Alexandra Care Home | Realm Ltd | Redrow Homes Ltd | Saica Pack Ltd | Saica Paper Uk Ltd | Sainsburys Supermarket Ltd | Severn Trent Water | St Christopers Fellowship | SVSM (NCGM) new Covent Garden | Tatton Estates Management | The Ashfield Estate | The Inglis Consortium LLP | Vattenfall | Warmafloor | Wartsila | West Coast Estates | Wisley Property Investments | Wyatt Homes | Wyvil Road Ltd[18]

March 2014-May 2014

Airvolution | Amco Developments | Anchor Homes | Annington Homes | Approved Cables Iniative | Armstrong Kent | ASC Renewables | Axion Land | Barratt Homes | Batched on Site Association | Birmigham Oratory | CACI Ltd | Cala Homes | Camden Lock Markets Ltd | Carrington Power Ltd | Celtic Array | Celtique Energy | Chelstone Management Ltd | City and Country Homes Ltd | City Wall Properties | Claremont Fan Court Foundation Ltd | CTP Ltd | Cuadrilla Balcombe Ltd | Cuadrilla Bowland Ltd | Dandara Ltd | Deveron Homes | Discovery Park | Doric properties | Drum Property Group | EDF Energy | Edward VII Estates | Eider Homes | Emcor Group Plc | Eon Climate and Renewables | Force 9 | Fred Olsen Lines | Gatwick Airport Ltd | Gazeley Uk Ltd | General Motors | Gerald Eve | Goodman Logistics | Hammerson Estates | Hargreaves Services Ltd | Hawk Developments UK Ltd | Henderson Global Investors | Hollamby Estates | Industrial Acoustics Company | Ineos Enterprises Ltd | Jackamax Ltd | Kent Enviropower Ltd | Kirkwood Homes Ltd | Koopmans Ltd | Lafarge Tarmac | Land Securities | Linden Homes | London Borough of Merton Council | London Resort Company Holdings | Lumicity Ltd | Marplace (number 480) Ltd | Merton Properties | Mill Farm Verntures Ltd | Miller Argent (South Wales) Ltd | Miller Argent South Wales Ltd | Miller Homes | Mrs Jean M Powell | Murray Estates | National Grid | Northpoint Developments Ltd | Nova Loca | Oakhill Group | Oxted Residential | Peel Environmental Holdings Ltd | Pegasus Life | Plastics 2020 | Plymouth Estates | Redrow Homes Ltd | Renaissance | RLW Estates Ltd | Rory Young | Saica Pack Ltd | Saica Paper Uk Ltd | Sainsburys Supermarket Ltd | Scottish Government | SDS Ltd | Severn Trent Water | St Christopers Fellowship | SVSM (NCGM) new Covent Garden | Tata Steel | Taylor Wimpey Developments Ltd | The Inglis Consortium LLP | United Investments Portugal SA | Vattenfall | Warmafloor | Wartsila | West Coast Estates | Wheelabrator | Wisley Property Investments | Wyvil Road Ltd [19]

December 2013-February 2014

Air Link Systems Ltd | Airvolution | Allied Vehicles | Amco Developments | Anchor Homes | Annington Homes | Armstrong Kent | ASC Renewables | Barratt Homes | Birmingham Oratory | Black Lion Ventures LLP | Bowland Resources Ltd | Bristol Water | Brookhouse Group | Brookhouse Group | Butlins | C2 Capital LLP | CACI Ltd | Camden Lock Markets Ltd | Capital & Provincial | Carrington Power Ltd | Celtic Array | Celtique Energy Chelstone Management Ltd | City and Country Homes Ltd | Claremont Fan Court Foundation Ltd | Cleanpower Properties Ltd | Craven Property | CTP Ltd | Cuadrilla | Dandara Ltd | Deveron Homes | Discovery Park | Doric properties | Drum Property Group | EDF Energy | Edward VII Estates | Eider Homes | Emcor Group Plc | Eon Climate and Renewables | Falmouth Developments | Force 9 | Garden Centre Group Trading Ltd | Gatwick Airport Ltd | General Motors | Gerald Eve | Hargreaves Services Ltd | Harrow Estates | Henderson Global Investors | Hollamby Estates | Industrial Acoustics Company | Ineos Enterprises Ltd | Jackamax Ltd | Janson | Kensington & Edinburgh Estates | Kent Enviropower Ltd | Kirk Energy | Kirkwood Homes Ltd Lafarge Tarmac | Land Improvement Holdings | Land Securities | Linden Homes | Lioncourt Homes Ltd | London Borough of Merton Council | London Resort Company Holdings | Lumicity Ltd | Merryvale No 6 International Ltd | Merton properties | Miller Argent (South Wales) Ltd | Miller Argent South Wales Ltd | Miller Homes | Mrs Jean M Powell | Murray Estates | National Grid | Noss Marina Ltd | Nova Loca | Ove Arup and Partners International Ltd | Oxted Residential | Peel Environmental Holdings Ltd | Pegasus Life | Plastics 2020 | Plymouth Estates | Premier Inn | Redrow Homes Ltd | RLW Estates Ltd | Rory Young | Saica Pack Ltd | Saica Paper Uk Ltd | Sainsburys Supermarket Ltd | Severn Trent Water | St Christopers Fellowship | SVSM | Tata Steel | Taylor Wimpey Developments Ltd | The Carlton Group | The Inglis Consortium LLP | Titan Investors | United Investments Portugal SA | Vattenfall | Warmafloor | Wartsila | Wheelabrator | Wisley Property Investments | Wyvil Road Ltd [20]

September 2013-November 2013

Airvolution | Anchor Homes | Annington | Homes Armstrong Kent | Barratt Homes | Black Lion Ventures LLP | Bowland Resources Ltd | Bristol Water | Brookhouse Group | Butlins | CACI Ltd | Camden Lock Markets Ltd | Capital & Provincial | Celtic Array | Celtique Energy | City and Country Homes Ltd | Claremont Fan Court Foundation Ltd | Craven Property | Cuadrilla Balcombe Limited | Dandara Ltd | Discovery Park | Doric properties | EDF Energy | Eider Homes | Emcor Group Plc | Eon Climate and Renewables | Ewart Properties | Falmouth Developments | Force 9 | General Motors | Gerald Eve | GMI Holdings Limited | Greensleaves Homes Trust | GS1 UK Ltd | Hammerson Estates | Hargreaves Services Ltd | Harrow Estates | haute Rive | Henderson Global Investors | Industrial Acoustics Company | Janson | Kensington & Edinburgh Estates | Kent Enviropower Ltd | Kirk Energy | Kirkwood Homes Ltd | Lafarge Tarmac Land Improvement Holdings | Land Securities | Linden Homes | Lioncourt Homes Ltd | Miller Argent (South Wales) Ltd | Murray Estates Murrey Estates | National Grid Navitus Bay Development Ltd | Noss Marina Ltd Nova Loca | One Housing Group Ove Arup and Partners International Ltd | Peel Environmental Holdings Ltd Pegasus Life | Plastics 2020 | Premier Inn | Raeburn Place Developments | Redrow Homes Ltd | RLW Estates Ltd | RWE Npower | Renewables Saica Pack Ltd | Saica Paper Uk Ltd | Sainsburys Supermarket Ltd | Sandlaw Farming Company | SDS Ltd | SevenTwenty Strategies | Severn Trent Water | Skanska | St Modwen | SVSM | Tata Steel | Taylor Wimpey Developments Ltd | Tenens The Carlton Group | The Inglis Consortium LLP | Titan Investors | Tonbridge and Malling Council | Ubiquitous United | Investments Portugal SA | Vattenfall | Warmafloor | Wartsila | West Coast Estates | Wheelabrator | Whitbread Group | Wilmott Dixon Regent Ltd [21]

June 2013-August 2013

Airvolution | Anchor Homes | Annington Homes | Armstrong Kent | Barratt Homes | Black Lion Ventures LLP | Bowland Resources Ltd | Bristol Water | CACI Ltd | Cala Homes | Camden Lock Markets Ltd | Celtic Array | Celtique Energy | Central Foundation Girl's School Trust | Chelstone Management Ltd | City and Country Homes Ltd | Claremont Fan Court Foundation Ltd | Craven Property | Cuadrilla Balcombe Limited | Dandara Ltd | Discovery Park | Doric properties | EDF Energy | Eider Homes | Emcor Group Plc | Eon Climate and Renewables | Ewart Properties | Falmouth Developments | Force 9 | General Motors | Gerald Eve | GMI Holdings Limited | Greensleaves Homes Trust | GS1 UK Ltd | Hammerson Estates | Hargreaves Services Ltd | Harrow Estates | haute Rive | Henderson Global Investors | Industrial Acoustics Company | Janson | Kensington & Edinburgh Estates | Kent Enviropower Ltd | Kirk Energy | Kirkwood Homes Ltd | Lafarge Tarmac | Land Improvement Holdings | Land Securities | Linden Homes | Lioncourt Homes Ltd | Miller Argent (South Wales) Ltd | Murrey Estates | Navitus Bay Development Ltd | Noss Marina Ltd | Ove Arup and Partners International Ltd | Peel Environmental Holdings Ltd | Plastics 2020 | Premier Inn | Raeburn Place Developments | Redrow Homes Ltd | RLW Estates Ltd | RWE Npower Rewnewables | Saica Pack Ltd | Saica Paper Uk Ltd | Sainsburys Supermarket Ltd | Sandlaw Farming Company | SDS Ltd | SevenTwenty Strategies | Severn Trent Water | Skanska | St Modwen | Taylor Wimpey Developments Ltd | Tenens | The Carlton Group | The Inglis Consortium LLP | Titan Investors | Tonbridge and Malling Council | Ubiquitous | United Investments Portugal SA | Vattenfall | Warmafloor | Wartsila | West Coast Estates | Wheelabrator | Whitbread Group | Wilmott Dixon Regent Ltd [22]

March 2013-May 2013

Adelphi Distillery | Airvolution | Anchor Homes | Annington Homes | Armstrong Kent | ASC Renewables | Balfour Beatty Capital | Barratt Homes | Beaulieu Homes | Birmingham Oratory | Bouygues Travauz Publics S.A. | Bovis Homes | Bowland Resources Ltd | Bristol Water | Brookhouse Group | Butlins | C2 Capital LLP | CACI Ltd | Cala Homes | Camden Lock Markets Ltd | Cardiff City Council | Celtic Array | Celtique Energy | Central Foundation Girl's School Trust | Charlotte Ventures Ltd | Chelstone Management Ltd | City and Country Homes Ltd | City Cabs | Claremont Fan Court Foundation Ltd | Dandara Ltd | Devon wind Power | Discovery Park | Doric properties | EDF Energy | Eider Homes | Electro Motive Diesel Ltd | Emcor Group Plc | Eon Climate and Renewables | Ewart Properties | Force 9 | General Motors | Gerald Eve | Gerald Eve | Greensleaves Homes Trust | GS1 UK Ltd | Hammerson Estates | Hargreaves Services Ltd | Harrow Estates | haute Rive | Henderson Global Investors | Heron Land Developments | Hive Energy | Horseworld | Industrial Acoustics Company | James Retail | Janson | John Laing | Kent Enviropower Ltd | Kier and Cowder | Kirk Energy | Kirkwood Homes Ltd | Lafarge Tarmac | Land Improvement Holdings | Land Securities | Linden Homes | Lioncourt Homes Ltd | London LRG Hotel Ltd | Mariposa Investments | Martins Properties | Miller Argent (South Wales) Ltd | Miller Homes | Murrey Estates | Navitus Bay Development Ltd | Nottinghamshire County Council Pension Fund | Onehousing Group | Ove Arup and Partners International Ltd | Peel Environmental Holdings Ltd | Plasco Energy Group | Plastics 2020 | Plymouth Estates | Porcelanosa | Premier Inn | Raeburn Place Developments | Redrow Homes Ltd | RLW Estates Ltd | RWE Npower Renewables | S.A. Industrias Celulosa Aragonesa | Saica Pack Ltd | Saica Paper Uk Ltd | Sainsburys Supermarket Ltd | Sandlaw Farming Company | Sandlaw Farming Company | SDS Ltd | Severn Trent Water | Skanska | St Modwen | Tenens | Terrace Hill | The Inglis Consortium LLP | Tonbridge and Malling Council | Ubiquitous | United Investments Portugal SA | Vattenfall | Veolia | Warmafloor | Wartsila | Wheelabrator | Whitbread Group | Wimott Dixon Regent Ltd | WRD Group | Yorkshire Water Services | Zyda Law [23]

December 2012-February 2013

Anchor Homes | Annington Homes | Armstrong Kent | ASC Renewables | Balfour Beatty Capital | Barratt Homes | Barrow Lands Co Ltd | Birmingham Oratory | Bouygues Travauz Publics S.A. | Bovis Homes | Bovis Homes Ltd | Bowland Resources Ltd | Bristol Water | Brookhouse Group | CACI Ltd | Cala Homes | Camden Lock Markets Ltd | Celtic Array | Celtique Energy | Central Foundation Girl's School Trust | Charlotte Ventures Ltd | City and Country Bicester Ltd | City and Country Homes Ltd | City and Country Residential Ltd | City and Country Warley Ltd | Dandara Ltd | Devon wind Power | Doric properties | EDF Energy | Eider Homes | Emcor Group Plc | Eon Climate and Renewables | Ewart Properties | Fichtner Consulting Engineers Ltd | Force 9 | General Motors | Gerald Eve | Greensleaves Homes Trust | GS1 UK Ltd | Hammerson Estates | Hargreaves Services Ltd | Harrow Estates | Henderson Global Investors | Hive Energy | Horseworld | Janson | John Laing | Kent Enviropower Ltd | Kier and Cowder | Kirk Energy | Land Securities | Linden Homes | Lioncourt Homes Ltd | London LRG Hotel Ltd | London Resort Company Holdings | Mariposa Investments | Martins Properties | Miller Argent (South Wales) Ltd | Miller Homes | Murrey Estates | Navitus Bay Development Ltd | Nottinghamshire County Council Pension Fund | Oakhurst property developments | Onehousing Group | Peel Environmental Holdings Ltd | Plastics 2020 | Plymouth Estates | Porcelanosa | Premier Inn | Raeburn Place Developments | RLW Estates Ltd RWE | Npower Rewnewables | Saica Pack Ltd | Saica Paper Uk Ltd | Sainsburys Supermarket Ltd | Sandlaw Farming Company | Severn Trent Water | Skanska | Tenens | Terrace Hill | The Inglis Consortium LLP | Tonbridge and Malling Council | Torrington Place | Warmafloor | Wartsila | Wheelabrator | Wind Prospect Developments | Zyda Law [24]

As of August 2012

clients included the following energy companies EDF Energy, Cuadrilla Resources and RWE npower renewables [25]Balfour Beatty Capital, Eon Climate and Renewables, Land Securities, Sainsburys, Taylor Wimpey, Tonbridge and Malling Council, Western Power Distribution, General Motors [26]

Previous clients

As of 2006: Anchor Developments | Anchor Trust | Ashfield Estate | B&Q | Ballymore Properties | Henry Boot | Hertfordshire County Council | Homes for Scotland | Iconshield Ltd | Ineos Fluor | Persimmon Homes | PPG Land Ltd | Premier Travel Inn | Princes Quay Trust | Prologis Developments Ltd | BCB Environmental | Bedell Corporation | Biffa Waste | Bristol City Council | British Film Institute | Cala Homes | Cardway Ltd | Catesby Estates Ltd | Cemex Uk | Chelsea Harbour Ltd | Chenil House | Chris Rokos | Circle Red Properties Ltd | CIT Developments | City of Bristol College | Claymoss Properties Limited | Cory Environmental | Countryside Properties | Crest/Galliford LLP | Darinian Limited | Develica | Edenlaw West | EDF Energy | Enodis Property Development | Ewart Properties | FBC Media | Grade Wand (Wescity Developers Ltd) | Guaranty Trust Bank | Gyle Shopping Centre | Ipswich School | JG Land Ltd | John Thompson and Partners | J Sainsbury | London Associated Properties | Legal and General | Lincolnshire County Council | Linden Homes | Linden/Dowland Graylingwell LLP | Local Government Challenge | London and Newcastle | M Baker | Mariposa Investments | Motor Accident Solicitors Society | Merseyside Waste Disposal Authority | Mimas Developments Ltd | Mouchel Parkman | MVV Environment | Nathanial Associates Ltd | National Grid | NHP Leisure Developments | NJW Developments | Thurleigh Estates Limited | N Power Renewables | O&H Properties | Olive Green Group | Parsons Brincherhoff | Peel Land Investments | Peel Holdings | Pelham Holdings | Redrow Homes Ltd | Riding Lane North | RLW Estates Ltd | RMJM Consortium | Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors | RREEF Ltd | Rugeley Power Ltd | Safestore Ltd | SAICA Packaging UK Limited | Salisbury District Council | Spring Urban Regeneration | St Modwen Properties Plc | Sussex Healthcare | Taylor Wimpey UK Ltd | The Catesby Property Group | The Junction Limited Partnership | The Mall | Tilbury Green Power Ltd | TQ9 LLP | UK Boxer Property Co Ltd | Viridor Waste Management | VT Group | Waste Recycling Group | Wheelabrator | Whitbread Group Plc | Whitekirk Golf and Country Club | Workspace Glebe | Zurich Assurance

PPS Group was hired by British Energy in 2003/4 and also was retained by Countryside Properties.

People

  • Stephen Byfield, Managing Director. A former staffer for a Labour MP.
  • Charles St George, Group Board Director. An ex-Tory councillor.
  • Rebecca Eatwell, Director (Head of PPS North)
  • Donald Anderson, Director (Head of PPS Edinburgh)
  • Lisa Alexander, Director
  • Mark Kerr, Director
  • Andy Martin, Director (Head of PPS London, South East and East)
  • Clare Jones, Account Director (Head of PPS Cardiff)
  • Paul Kelly, Director (Reputation Management)
  • Christ Wotton, Director
  • Leander Clarke, Director (Head of PPS West and Wales)
  • Steven Park, Director (Head of PPS Aberdeen)
  • Bobby Dean - Account Executive from PPS Group who was seconded to Communications Team at EDF Energy for four months in July 2011 – October 2011 (4 months) to assist in the co-ordination and delivery of the Hinkley Point C Consultation Report to the Infrastructure Planning Commission. [27]

June 2014-August 2014

Lisa Alexander | Donald Anderson (lobbyist) | Jodi Anderson - Smith | James Blanchard | Nicola Brown | Stephen Byfield | Deborah Campbell | Leander Clarke | Ellis Cresswell | Bobby Dean | Ben Doble | Rebecca Eatwell | Rhian Ellis | Richard Fletcher | James Flynn | Euan Glen | Simon Greenhalgh | Tom Hammond | Sara Henrikkson | Amy Hopkinson | Douglas Johnson | Claire Jones | Lewis Jones | Paul Kelly | Mark Kerr | Simon Leonard | Henrietta Luchterhand | Kyal Mapara | Simon Marlow | Andy Martin | Janis McCullock | Will Morgan | Andrew Murray | Laura Nuttall | Huw Owen | Josh Owens | Steven Park | George Parkinson | Dipal Patel | Guy Pilbeam | Alex Reid | Julian Seymour | Steven Singleton | Karl Smyth | Charles St George | Fraser Stewart | Kai Stormer | Laura Taylor | Heather Thomson | Jack Thomson | Amber Whitelaw | Chris Wotton[18]

March 2014-May 2014

Lisa Alexander | Donald Anderson | Jodi Anderson - Smith | Tom Arnold | James Blanchard | Conor Brennan | Nicola Brown | Stephen Byfield | Deborah Campbell | Leander Clarke | Ellis Cresswell | Bobby Dean | Rebecca Eatwell | Rhian Ellis | Richard Fletcher | Euan Glen | Simon Greenhalgh | Tom Hammond | Sara Henrikkson | Amy Hopkinson | Douglas Johnson | Claire Jones | Lewis Jones | Paul Kelly | Mark Kerr | Simon Leonard | Henrietta Luchterhand | Simon Marlow | Andy Martin | Janis McCullock | Will Morgan | Andrew Murray | Laura Nuttall | Huw Owen | Josh Owens | Steven Park | George Parkinson | Dipal Patel | Guy Pilbeam | Alex Reid | Julian Seymour | Steven Singleton | Karl Smyth | Charles St George | Kai Stormer | Laura Taylor | Heather Thomson | Jack Thomson | Amber Whitelaw | Chris Wotton [19]

December 2013-February 2014

Lisa Alexander | Donald Anderson | Jodi Anderson - Smith | Tom Arnold | Conor Brennan | Nicola Brown | Stephen Byfield | Deborah Campbell | Leander Clarke | Ellis Cresswell | Bobby Dean | Rebecca Eatwell | Rhian Ellis | Euan Glen | Simon Greenhalgh | Tom Hammond | Joanna Hatton-Jones | Sara Henrikkson | Amy Hopkinson | Douglas Johnson | Claire Jones | Lewis Jones | Paul Kelly | Mark Kerr | Henrietta Luchterhand | Kirsty Mair | Simon Marlow | Andy Martin | Janis McCullock | Will Morgan | Andrew Murray | Josh Owens | Steven Park | George Parkinson | Sam Schofield | Julian Seymour | Steven Singleton | Karl Smyth | Charles St George | Kai Stormer | Heather Thomson | Rebecca Warden-Brown | Amber Whitelaw | Chris Wotton [20]

September 2013-November 2013

Donald Anderson | Jodi Anderson - Smith | James Barber | Zac Bingham Thaker | Conor Brennan | Nicola Brown | Stephen Byfield | Deborah Campbell | Laura Carruthers | Lois Catterall | Leander Clarke | Sarah Coolican | Ellis Cresswell | Bobby Dean | Rebecca Eatwell | Rhian Ellis | Euan Glen | Simon Greenhalgh | Tom Hammond | Joanna Hatton-Jones | Jack Hillcox | Jo Hoare | Amy Hopkinson | Douglas Johnson | Claire Jones | Lewis Jones | Paul Kelly | Mark Kerr | Kirsty Mair | Simon Marlow | Andy Martin | Lindsey McCallum | Will Morgan | Andrew Murray | Josh Owens | Steven Park | Chanel Patterson | Sam Schofield | Julian Seymour | Steven Singleton | Karl Smyth | Charles St George | Heather Thomson | Rebecca Warden-Brown | Keiran Watkins | Kevin Whitmore | George Wilkinson | Henry Wilson [21]

June 2013-August 2013

Donald Anderson | Jodi Anderson - Smith | James Barber | Zac Bingham Thaker | Conor Brennan | Nicola Brown | Stephen Byfield | Deborah Campbell | Laura Carruthers | Lois Catterall | Leander Clarke | Sarah Coolican | Ellis Cresswell | Bobby Dean | Rebecca Eatwell | Rhian Ellis | Euan Glen | Simon Greenhalgh | Tom Hammond | Joanna Hatton-Jones | Jack Hillcox | Jo Hoare | Amy Hopkinson | Douglas Johnson | Claire Jones | Lewis Jones | Paul Kelly | Mark Kerr | Kirsty Mair | Simon Marlow | Andy Martin | Lindsey McCallum | Will Morgan | Andrew Murray | Josh Owens | Steven Park | Chanel Patterson | Sam Schofield | Julian Seymour | Steven Singleton | Karl Smyth | Charles St George | Heather Thomson | Rebecca Warden-Brown | Keiran Watkins | Kevin Whitmore | George Wilkinson | Henry Wilson [22]

March 2013-May 2013

Donald Anderson | Jodi Anderson-Smith | Tom Bailey | Conor Brennan | Nicola Brown | Stephen Byfield | Deborah Campbell | Leander Clarke | Bobby Dean | Rebecca Eatwell | Rhian Ellis | Isabelle Finn | Euan Glen | Simon Greenhalgh | Joanna Hatton-Jones | Jo Hoare | Amy Hopkinson | Claire Jones | Lewis Jones | Paul Kelly | Mark Kerr | Kirsty Mair | Simon Marlow | Andy Martin | Lindsey McCallum | Janis McCullock | Will Morgan | Andrew Murray | Josh Owens | Steven Park | Chloe Parrot | Chanel Patterson | Thomas Reynolds | Sam Schofield | Julian Seymour | Steven Singleton | Karl Smyth | Charles St George | Nick Sutcliffe | Heather Thomson | Rebecca Warden-Brown | Kevin Whitmore [23]

December 2012-February 2013

Donald Anderson | Jodi Anderson-Smith | Conor Brennan | Nicola Brown | Stephen Byfield | Deborah Campbell | Leander Clarke | Rowena Collins | Bobby Dean | Rebecca Eatwell | Rhian Ellis | Isabelle Finn | Euan Glen | Simon Greenhalgh | Daniel Griffiths | Joanna Hatton-Jones | Jo Hoare | Amy Hopkinson | Claire Jones | Lewis Jones | Emma Jordan | Paul Kelly | Mark Kerr | Kirsty Mair | Andy Martin | Lindsey McCallum | Janis McCullock | Emma Megaughin | Will Morgan | Josh Owens | Steven Park | Chloe Parrot | Chanel Patterson | Thomas Reynolds | Sam Schofield | Julian Seymour | Steven Singleton | Karl Smyth | Charles St George | Nick Sutcliffe | Heather Thomson | Rebecca Warden-Brown | Kevin Whitmore [24]


Former Staff

Contact information

PPS Group (London Office)
69 Grosvenor Street
London W1K 3JW
Phone 020 7529 1700
Fax: 020 7629 7514
http://www.ppsgroup.co.uk
Former website on the Internet Archive: http://www.ppsgroup.info

Resources

Notes

  1. Political Wizard Databases >Public Affairs >Public Affairs Consultancies >PPS Group Ltd, accessed 13 November 2009
  2. Porta buys PPS for £6.2m to strengthen Newgate operation PR Week, 11 November 2014, accessed 14 November 2014
  3. TRICKERY, DECEIT, MANIPULATION From The Evening Standard - 30/07/2007 (2358 words) Features Revealed: the story behind one of London's most controversial new developments BY ANDREW GILLIGAN
  4. It's a con-sultation, Private Eye 1192
  5. From ‘Another Whiff of Dirty Tricks and the Battle Over Stansted’ By ANDREW GILLIGAN / Evening Standard Posted on: Monday, 6 August 2007, 18:10 CDT http://www.redorbit.com/news/business/1025052/another_whiff_of_dirty_tricks_and_the_battle_over_stansted/index.html
  6. APPC meet PPS crisis
  7. Energy, PPS website, accessed 9 September 2013
  8. Stephen Byfield, PPS Group wraps up nuclear power plant consultation, PPS Group website, 29 November 2011, accessed 19 May 2012
  9. PPS Group, Case study: EDF Energy - New Nuclear Power Stations, acc 9 September 2013
  10. Advertising Standards Authority, ASA Adjudication on Cuadrilla Resources Ltd, Rulings, 24 April 2013, acc 27 March 2014
  11. APPC Register Entry for 1 Dec 2011 to 29 Feb 2012
  12. Stephen Byfield, PPS addresses shale gas summit on effective communications, PPS website, 6 November 2012 acc 9 Sept 2013
  13. Nick Sutcliffe, PPS hosts shale gas breakfast at House of Commons, PPS Group website, December 7th, 2012
  14. Stephen Byfield, [ PPS address Shale Gas conference on community engagement], PPS website, 11 October 2014 originally accessed 17 Feb 2014
  15. APPC Register quarter March to May 2014
  16. http://news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=1689642007
  17. http://www.prweek.com/uk/news/article/757645/former-council-head-lead-pps-scotland/
  18. 18.0 18.1 Register 1st June 2014 - 31st August 2014 APPC, accessed 19 October 2014
  19. 19.0 19.1 Register for 1st March 2014 - 31st May 2014 APPC, accessed 9 September 2014
  20. 20.0 20.1 Register for 1st December 2013 - 28th February 2014 APPC, accessed 30 September 2014
  21. 21.0 21.1 Register for 1st September 2013 - 30th November 2013 APPC, accessed 30 September 2014
  22. 22.0 22.1 Register for 1st June 2013 - 31st August 2013 APPC, accessed 30 September 2014
  23. 23.0 23.1 Register for 1st March 2013 - 31st May 2013 APPC, accessed 30 September 2014
  24. 24.0 24.1 Register for 1st December 2012 - 28th February 2013 APPC, accessed 30 September 2014
  25. APPC Register Entry for 1 Dec 2011 to 29 Feb 2012
  26. PPS Group, APPC Register Entry for 1 June 2012 to 31 August 2012,
  27. Bobby Dean, LinkedIn, accessed 19 May 2012
  28. Ericsson Services duo Cumpsty and Dobson join PPS, Ian Hall, Public Affairs News, March 2008
  29. http://www.appc.org.uk/appc/filemanager/root/site_assets/pdfs/APPC_Register_Sep_06_-_Nov_06.pdf; http://www.appc.org.uk/appc/filemanager/root/recycle_bin/List_APPC_Jun.pdf
  30. Ericsson Services duo Cumpsty and Dobson join PPS, Ian Hall, Public Affairs News, March 2008

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