How-Do is delighted to announce the launch of the North West Public Services Communications Awards 2009.

The range and diversity of public sector operations in the North West is extensive. From organisations such as Alder Hey and Christies to bodies such as the HSE, the NHS and Keep Britain Tidy, across to not-for-profit bodies such as the Mersey Basin campaign and the Mines Advisory Group as well as the wealth of expertise prevalent in local and regional government and the front-line emergency services.  The region is blessed with an abundance of quality communications initiatives emanating each year from these and many other public services bodies.

In addition, the sector is ably assisted by a wealth of communications professionals - across all disciplines - with tangible and beneficial experience of the needs and requirements of the sector.

The How-Do Public Services Communications Awards will celebrate excellence, create real benchmarks for the future and most importantly, bring together top people from across the region to network, develop and enhance relationships and celebrate current and future success.

Timetable

The awards dinner will be held on Thursday 12 November at the International Suite at Manchester United Football Club, Old Trafford, Manchester.

Entries are now closed and the shortlist will be announced week commencing 7 September.

Keynote speaker

Patrick Butler is head of society, health and education at the Guardian, overseeing social affairs coverage across the Guardian, Guardian.co.uk and the Observer. He was previously editor of Society Guardian, and its sister website societyguardian.co.uk. He has been a journalist for 19 years and has written for a range of national newspapers and professional magazines. He regularly chairs (and occasionally speaks at) conference sessions, panels and seminars on the subject of public services.

The Judges

Catherine Gort

Catherine Gort is head of marketing and communications for Bauer Media's Big City Network. Prior to joining Bauer, she was marketing director for Salton Europe, managing the marketing activities of brands including Russell Hobbs and George Foreman.

David Boardman

David Boardman is communications director for Shop Direct Group, the UK's leading online and home shopping retailer, operating brands such as Littlewoods, Kays and Woolworths. He was previously head of corporate communications for Co-operative Retail Services and is a twice winner of Corp Comms "Top 100 communicators" award.

Dave Lucas

Dave Lucas is managing partner of MediaVest. Dave graduated from Lancaster University with a BA Hons in English: since then his language skills have deteriorated……but his media skills - he claims - have improved. He joined LWT as a sales executive in 1988 before moving across to TMD Manchester where  in 1992 he was promoted to the board. In 1994, he and Andy Jeal became the founding partners of MediaVest Manchester.

Edward Brady

Edward Brady is regional external affairs manager Shell UK. He has been in the communications industry for over 30 years. For the past 10 years he has worked for Shell in his present role based in Cheshire and previously held senior communication positions at both British Steel and ICI. He currently holds two external directorships: the Mersey Basin Business Foundation and Entep Properties.

Mark Critchley

Mark Critchley is UK marketing director, SSL International plc. Mark was appointed to the role of UK marketing director in September 2008. Prior to this appointment he was the global marketing head for Durex for six years with overall marketing responsibility for the development of the Durex brand, communication and new product development strategy.

Nick Turner

Nick Turner is head of digital content development at the Cumbria-based CN Group. He is also organiser of the Digital Editors' Network in conjunction with the University of Central Lancashire. He is a board member of the Society of Editors and was a recent judge in the UK Press Awards.

Sean Marley

Sean Marley is managing director of Lime Pictures. Sean started his career in the world of radio, initially working in advertising sales. In 1993 he made a radical change by moving into radio programming and by 1996 he had been appointed programme director of Metro Radio, the youngest major market PD at the time in the UK.

Shaun Robinson

Shaun Robinson is head of media relations at United Utilities plc. He  was previously the director of communications for Thomas Cook Airlines based at Manchester Airport. He moved across into the world of utilities 18 months ago.

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