Cumbria's 'Adopted' PR consultant Is Best In Britain

The founder and managing director of a public relations consultancy with a network of clients across Cumbria has been adjudged ‘best in Britain’ having been crowned ‘Best Freelance PR Practitioner’ at the national Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) Excellence Awards.

Jane Hunt, of Catapult Public Relations, whose clients include Mountain Goat, Nurture Eden and Ullswater 'Steamers' received the prestigious award at a glittering awards ceremony held at the Park Lane Hilton in London.  She was presented with her award by athletics legend, Colin Jackson.

The judges commented on how impressed they were with her creativity and passion and dedication to her profession, as well as her particular specialism of handling PR for tourism businesses, attractions and destinations.  Following Jane being shortlisted for this award, Jane attended a panel interview at CIPR headquarters in London, at which the judges felt she demonstrated everything that a freelance PR professional should be.

This top national title now adds to the ‘Best Freelance PR Practitioner’ accolade that Jane won at the northwest regional level last November. It means that Catapult PR now has a whopping 23 awards in its trophy cabinet, having consistently proved itself to be one of the best PR consultancies in the country since its foundation by Jane Hunt in 1998.

Jane’s ‘Best Freelance PR Practitioner’ Award comes after many years of dedication to her profession, most recently evidenced in two years of study for a Chartered Institute of Marketing specialist Diploma in Tourism and Italian language studies that have taken her to a post A-level standard.

Jane’s PR career began with a role with international freight forwarder, MSAS, in Bracknell, and continued along an in house route with roles at South Western Electricity Board and British Gas Southwestern in Bristol, British Gas HQ in London and Swinton Insurance in Manchester.

She left Swinton to work in agency for the first time, handling the launch of Privilege Insurance.  After a few years of working for other PR agencies and creating award-winning campaigns, she founded Catapult PR on the Fylde Coast, to prove that PR excellence can be found outside of Britain’s cities.  The consultancy now has a client base rooted in the tourism, food, sustainability and retail sectors.

Since winning her new title, just a few days ago, Jane has already taken on two new clients.  She will be launching the new Catapult PR website at www.catapultpr.co.uk by June 20 and has other exciting plans in the pipeline with regard to the growth of her business in Cumbria.

She says: “Although I have won many trophies and accolades, being given this national title really is the highlight of my career and something I have worked hard for, making 12 hour days worthwhile! I have a portfolio of fabulous clients right across the country, who appreciate my creativity and my passion for their businesses and they have played their part in this award, so my thanks go to them for their support and loyalty”