Ben Veal, the founding director of specialist public relations consultancy Second Mountain Comms, has been named as the region’s top PR practitioner for the second consecutive year.
Ben, pictured, launched Second Mountain in Bath two years ago during the first Covid-19 lockdown.
Since then, his focus has been in supporting purpose-led companies and charities. Some 20% of his agency’s time is committed to pro-bono work each month, including aiding local charities People against Poverty and Wiltshire Youth for Christ in their ongoing communications activity.
Now he has topped the ‘Independent PR Practitioner of the Year’ category at the annual CIPR PRide Awards for the South of England and Channel Islands for the second time.
The awards recognise the top campaigns and communicators across a wide regional base, with entries encouraged from any organisation, company or individual connected to, or working within, the PR or communications industries.
The second PRide award win caps off an impressive year of accolades for Ben and Second Mountain, which is now based in Holt, near Trowbridge.
In June he has also received the ‘Mark of Excellence’ at the national Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) Excellence Awards while the agency was named ‘Start Up of the Year’ at this summer’s Creative Bath Awards ceremony.
Ben is also CIPR South West chair and was recently appointed to the national CIPR Council for 2023-24.
He said: “I’m genuinely overwhelmed by everything that’s happened over these last few years and to be in this position today.
“It was only two-and-a-half years ago that I found myself being made redundant for the first time in my career. Fast forward to now, and I’m unbelievably honoured to have been recognised as a CIPR PRide gold award winner not once, but twice.”
Ben says is also committed to enhancing the strategic role that PR plays in organisations,
“Purpose in business has never been more important – or relevant – than in today’s world,” he added.
“During such uncertain times for our society, we need organisations and business leaders that stand for something and use their position in the marketplace to make a positive difference and impact. I’m proud to be able to help share their stories.”
The CIPR PRide Awards judges described Ben as encompassing what it means to be a successful independent practitioner “through demonstrating strong client successes and achievements, robust working practices and established relationships”.
