PLMR champions inclusivity and diversity in sector

PLMR has partnered with the Taylor Bennett Foundation and West Lea School in Enfield to champion inclusivity and diversity amongst its workforce as well as the sector more generally.

The agency, which is headquartered in London and has offices in the Midlands, East of England and Scotland, is working alongside the Taylor Bennett Foundation to encourage black, Asian and minority ethnic graduates to pursue a career in communications. PLMR will provide mentors, host masterclasses for trainees and hire one summer intern. The agency will also advertise positions on the Taylor Bennett Foundation’s jobs board, as well as other platforms, to continue to attract as diverse a group of applicants to new roles as possible.

PLMR has also recently taken on a student from West Lea School in Enfield as part of the school’s Supported Internship Programme. The initiative gives 16-to-24-year-olds with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) first-hand experience in sectors they are passionate about. The student, Cyrus, secured his work placement due to his exceptional talents in programming, software development and coding knowledge, and is working in PLMR’s digital team in London. Both he and PLMR staff are also supported by a team of Job Coaches to understand better how to support a young person with a disability to be successful in work.

Ollie Lane, Managing Director at PLMR, said:

“PLMR is always keen to recruit from the widest possible pool and to give opportunities to young people, and so we are delighted to be partnering with both the Taylor Bennett Foundation and West Lea School.

 “Cyrus has been a wonderful addition to the team, with his talents helping to provide valuable support to our clients already, and we look forward to meeting the Taylor Bennett Foundation’s mentees and trainees in the coming months.”

Sue Tripp, CEO of West Lea School, said:

“Our Supported Internship Programme is about raising the aspirations of young people and providing them with the opportunities they deserve. We aim to demonstrate that everybody possesses the skills to have a positive impact on our society when we show them the belief and support they deserve.

 “We are delighted to have partnered with PLMR to provide Cyrus with this wonderful opportunity. We are sure he will learn a great deal and be a huge asset, as well as teaching them a thing or two whilst he is there!”

 Melissa Lawrence, Chief Executive of Taylor Bennett Foundation, said:

“I’m delighted that PLMR has chosen to partner with the Taylor Bennett Foundation this year, providing a variety of exciting opportunities for the young people in our network to build their knowledge, insights and experience of the PR industry.

 “Support like this not only expands the work of the Foundation, but really makes a difference to the lives of the young people taking part in our programmes. We can’t wait to get started!”

Founded in 2006, PLMR is an integrated communications agency working with multinationals, FTSEs, public sector, charities, trade bodies, SMEs and disruptor start-ups. It supports clients working across all sectors ranging from transport and technology and health and consumer goods to education and energy. The team offers a suite of key strategic communications services including public affairs, stakeholder engagement, PR, reputation management, digital, planning communications and campaigns.

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Notes to Editors

West Lea School’s Supported Internship Programme helps to bridge the gap between the worlds of education and employment, and each internship is aimed at securing a paid role at the end. The school also offers fully funded training and support for local businesses to become more Disability Confident and aware of how they can support colleagues with additional needs.

For more information about West Lea’s Supported Internship Programme, or to get involved, visit: www.westleaschool.co.uk/sip.

The Taylor Bennett Foundation is a charity that encourages black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) graduates to pursue a career in PR and communications. Established in 2008, the Foundation seeks to address the need for greater diversity in the communications industry.

With the support of leading communication agencies and in-house communications teams, Taylor Bennett Foundation runs professional development programmes that provide participants with the knowledge, skills and experience required to pursue a successful career in communications.

For more information, please visit: https://www.taylorbennettfoundation.org/

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