Lorna Fitzsimons, former president of the National Union of Students and
now a political consultant with lobbying firm Rowland Sallingbury Casey,
has been named as the Institute of Public Relations’ first Young
Communicator of the Year.
Fitzsimons, aged 28, was among seven finalists - all women - selected
for interview by the judging panel. This was despite a 60:40 ratio of
female to male entrants.
The self-proclaimed ‘blunt, dyslexic, Northern, Labour Party activist,
old NUS hack’ beat off runner-up Maria Darby, director of financial PR
agency Lansons. Sarah Benefield, 23 year-old consultant with the
Bristol-based Wordsmith Press, received a highly-commended award.
Jeremy Weinberg, PR and marketing officer at the IPR said the
competition was of a high standard despite the modest number of entry
forms received.
‘We will be keeping the entry forms at a tough standard to ensure we
suss out the future leaders of the communications industry,’ said
Weinberg.
