Written by: Ben Hutchins 

I’m Ben Hutchins, a Newcastle University Politics student from the West Midlands, and I’ve been on a two-week placement at PLMR’s Birmingham office. Here’s my experience…

Throughout my short period working with PLMR, I’ve had first-hand experience of the diverse work the business covers, and the array of sectors in which its consultants operate. I have covered regional development and public relations, but most of my work has involved public affairs, national politics, and the current Westminster drama.

My time at PLMR couldn’t have been better timed. The week of our Prime Minister’s resignation, and the subsequent chaos that ensued gave some perspective to the work we were doing, and its importance within a national context, as we advised clients on the fast-moving situation.

Being surrounded by colleagues who are so politically engaged, whilst working on projects with such real-world implications provided some much-needed context to my largely theoretical university degree – a message I would direct towards the education secretary… although I fear the current fluidity of the cabinet would make this challenging.

Furthermore, the collaborative and team focused environment of the PLMR Birmingham office was a great example of a modern workplace. What’s more, the people within it made my time at PLMR thoroughly enjoyable, for which I’m incredibly appreciative.