The CIPR Awards are always one of the most eagerly awaited on the annual PR awards calendar. Each category is hotly contested, none more so than the Young Communicator of the Year; a highly prestigious accolade that recognises the achievements, performance and excellent work of the industry’s most up and coming professionals, who are not only making a valuable contribution to the businesses they work for, but also demonstrating considerable promise as future leaders.

This year’s entrants were invited to submit a 300-word summary detailing their professional achievements, along with relevant case studies and employer testimonials, in the hope of being shortlisted for the accolade. Successful entrants were then invited to the judging day to be interviewed by the vastly experienced members of the PR and communications industry sat on the panel – a daunting prospect for anyone!

Pitch are honoured to have been invited to take part in the panel, with our very own Ollie Purdom judging the would-be PR mavens. On 9th July, Ollie headed over to our friends at Gateley for an entire day of interviewing the shortlisted entrants.

After witnessing the finest Young Communicators in the Midlands pitch their best work, Ollie remarked that it was a hugely rewarding experience, adding how “truly inspiring it is to see the variety of top talent we have on our doorstep”. He also said “due to the outstanding calibre of the candidates and their impressive careers to date, it was a really tough job for the panel to choose an outright winner”.

Recognising and developing young talent has long been a passion of ours here at Pitch, it’s the key reason we set up the B-Hive initiative back in 2009; nurturing the talent of today, in order to fortify tomorrow’s industry is our top priority – it’s in our DNA!

Watch this space for an update regarding the successful applicant for Young Communicator of the Year – we’ll be sure to update you when the winner is announced. We wish each and every entrant the very best of luck!