PLMR Group is celebrating after three of its consultants were recognised as some of the top PR professionals working in the UK today.

Eve Preston, Associate Director in PLMR’s education practice, and Lucy Somers, Deputy Director of PLMR Group’s digital practice, were both named on PR Week’s prestigious 30 under 30 list. The list, which is compiled each year by an expert judging panel, recognises the top PR professionals under the age of 30 working across agency and in-house roles.

Both Preston and Somers began their careers at PLMR, with Preston joining as an intern and Somers as an apprentice. In less than a seven years, they have both risen to lead lucrative practice areas – supporting flagship clients including Biffa, Ella’s Kitchen, Ormiston Academies Trust and the University of York.

PLMR was again ranked in the top 50 firms in the UK in PR Week’s rankings released earlier this week.

Jas De Vivo, Board Director and HR Lead, PLMR Group said:

“The whole of PLMR Group couldn’t be prouder of Eve, Lucy and Sophie. To have three consultants recognised by PR Week as rising stars is a great honour. But it’s not surprising considering how talented, hardworking and dedicated to their clients each of these three are.

“Their success is all the more special given that Eve, Lucy and Sophie all started their PR careers with PLMR – in Lucy’s case coming to us straight from sixth form! It has been a pleasure to watch each of them grow into the consultants they are today – rightly recognised as some of the best communications consultants in the UK – and we can’t wait to see what they achieve next”.

 

Lucy Somers, Deputy Director of PLMR’s digital practice said:

“I am so proud and honoured to have been recognised by PR Week as one of the top 30 young people working in communications today! I joined PLMR at the age of 18 as an apprentice, with no digital training or further education. PLMR saw the potential and passion in me and invested the time and training I needed to build a career that has not just allowed me to climb the ranks, but has also enabled me to support some amazing clients and build a talented team to reach their goals. I couldn’t be more grateful for all the opportunities I have had over the years from across the business and my clients – who have all made this award possible.”.

 

Eve Preston, Associate Director, said:

“To have been named in PR Week’s 30 under 30 list is a huge honour, and I am very grateful to the many colleagues and clients I have had the opportunity to work alongside, and for, over the years who have helped shape my journey. When I first joined PLMR as an intern I couldn’t have imagined that a few years later I’d be in such a senior position, working with some truly amazing clients and using communications as a genuine force for good every day. It is a really exciting time for the business and the many sectors I work across, from food and retail to education, so I’m looking forward to getting stuck in to just as many exciting and inspiring briefs as I have done so far at PLMR.”

Meanwhile, healthcare communications specialist and Account Manager, Sophie Figueiredo was named on PR Week’s Newcomers under 30 list. The Newcomers list recognises PR consultants who have been working in the sector for less than two years, but who show exceptional promise in their careers.

Figueredo, who joined PLMR’s health practice following a career in recruitment, was recognised for her unrivalled ability to build relationships with clients, journalists and political stakeholders, alongside her dedication to improving the sector for her peers, including through volunteering as a co-chair of PLMR’s peer forum.

Sophie Figueiredo said:

“I joined PLMR Healthcomms 2 years ago, because I wanted to work somewhere that allowed me to make a difference to people’s lives. People don’t always think about PR and communications as something that allows you to do that, but at PLMR I’ve been given the opportunity to support clients genuinely at the forefront of change within the healthcare sector. I couldn’t be more grateful to have built the early stages of my career here, and for my work so far to have been recognised by PR Week as having such promise. I’m so excited to see what comes next”.