It is a lovely thing to again be named in the PR Week Power Book 2025.  I have always taken the view that it’s less of a “Power” thing and more of a list of people deemed by their peers to be having good careers in the UK communications industry.  I am very grateful to be part of such an illustrious group.

I am also thankful to PR Week for their continued championing of the UK’s PR and communications industry, an industry that plays a vital role in shaping conversations, influencing policy, and driving business success across many sectors of the UK economy.

While this recognition has my name attached to it, I have always believed that awards and accolades like these belong to the collective – to everyone who has worked at PLMR since we founded the business in 2006.  From our very first clients and colleagues to the exceptional team that drives us forward today, this is an achievement that reflects the dedication, talent and passion of so many people who have made PLMR the success it is has become.

Some further thoughts occurred this week when I got the news.

The Market is Not Easy

This year’s Power Book comes at a hugely challenging time for our industry and the broader economy. The UK is facing economic uncertainty and sluggish growth, leading to tightening budgets client-side.

Every business is being asked to deliver more for less, and the PR and communications sector is no exception.

I know that PLMR is not alone in having to take a very hard and difficult look at every aspect of our business.  It can be hugely emotional and draining for all involved.

But if there’s one thing I know from nearly two decades since founding PLMR, growing it, taking it through five acquisitions of several million pounds, and numerous highs and lows, it’s that our industry, agencies like ours, and our many brilliant peers in the UK comms market, are resilient and adaptable.

The PR and communications industry in the UK is significant in scale and impact. Depending on who you take data from, it employs over 60,000 people and is worth over £4.5 billion in GDP.

As businesses, policymakers, and organisations navigate an increasingly complex landscape – whether that’s political change, reputational risk, or shifting media trends – the role of strategic communications has never been more involved at the higher levels of business.

However, the challenges that you read about in PR Week are indeed real. Clients are under the same pressures as their agencies. Employers’ NI was a policy change required to be undertaken by the Government (as were the farmers’ inheritance tax changes) to rebalance and reboot a grossly mismanaged economy. But the pitch wasn’t rolled as well as it ought to have been.  And every person in business will tell you – taking unplanned and unsighted hits on a balance sheet is not easy.  Add to that the ongoing tensions from Ukraine and you have an economic landscape riddled with challenge.

We aim for everyone’s career to be enhanced by working here. We don’t achieve it every single time. But we do a lot. To see colleagues join us at entry level and progress so far, including on to our Board, is a joy. To send colleagues to Oxford Saïd Business School or Harvard Business School feels great. To see clients achieving their goals after trusting us to work with us remains a huge privilege. These are the things that make the journey so enjoyable.

When we started PLMR in 2006, Artificial Intelligence was not du jour and did not factor in business planning. It certainly does now. It is both exhilarating and terrifying. Small and mid-sized agencies cannot compete with what much larger entities are building. However, clever use of current and emerging AI technologies are already offering significant benefit and will continue to do so if employed with diligence and care.

In these difficult economic periods it remains the case that the companies and organisations that communicate effectively – that tell their story with clarity, authenticity, and impact – will be the ones that build lasting trust with their audiences.  We see this every day.

Despite the challenges, and despite some of the hugely challenging issues we and our clients are navigating every day, I remain optimistic about the future of our industry. PR and communications professionals are at the forefront of helping businesses grow, shaping public debate, and fostering positive change. Whether in corporate reputation, public affairs, or digital engagement, the work we all do matters – and its importance will only grow in the years ahead.

So once again, thank you to PR Week for this recognition, and thank you to everyone who has been part of the PLMR journey since day one, in whatever form.  We are trying our utmost to be the best at what we do and get it right as often as we can.  Today’s accolade is lovely recognition but it belongs to the whole of the business.

Let’s keep pushing forward.

Click here to read Kevin’s contribution to PRWeek Power Book.