Smart Energy GB goes GOLD in the PR Week Best Places to Work Awards 2017

9th January 2016

Smart Energy GB, the voice of the smart meter rollout, has been recognised as this year’s top in-house employer in PR and communications, with a Gold award win from the 2017 PR Week Best Places to Work Awards.

Smart Energy GB was commended for its ‘dynamic and progressive culture’, which judges said helped the organisation to secure the top accolade within the in-house category.

Smart Energy GB is responsible for communicating with every single household in Great Britain during the national rollout of smart meters: an inspiring challenge for its in-house communications team, tasked with engaging consumers on the low interest topic of smart meters.

Smart meters are being offered to everyone in Great Britain between now and 2020, at no additional cost. Almost 5 million have already been installed as part of a national transformation of the way we buy and use gas and electricity.

As an organisation with a limited lifespan, Smart Energy GB was praised by judges for its focus on employee training, including courses in personal presentation and delivery, data visualisation, crisis management and writing for the web.

Smart Energy GB’s structured induction process for new employees, and its annual leave and paid sabbatical policy were also noted.

Claire Maugham, Director of Policy and Communications at Smart Energy GB, said:

“I’m thrilled to see Smart Energy GB recognised as a top employer within the communications industry, particularly given the magnitude of our task to reach everyone in Great Britain.

“I would like to congratulate our creative and hardworking team. Everyone plays their own part in creating the ‘dynamic and progressive culture’ for which we were recognised by the judges.”

The PR Week Best Places to Work Awards celebrate the top employers in agency and in-house communications across the UK. The winners were announced on Friday 6^th January, with an awards ceremony to follow on Tuesday 10^th January at the Condé Nast College of Fashion & Design Admissions.

Following an initial application stage, three top organisations were selected for each of the four categories: ‘in-house department’, ‘small agency’, ‘mid-sized agency’ and ‘large agency’.

The 12 winners then took part in a panel interview session with the judges, who settled upon the final Gold, Silver and Bronze award positions. Within the in-house department, Smart Energy GB competed against high-calibre and long-established organisations: silver winner, UKTV, and bronze winner, O2.

-ENDS-

Notes to editors

About Smart Energy GB

Smart Energy GB is the voice of the smart meter rollout. It’s our task to help everyone in Great Britain understand smart meters, the national rollout and how to use their new meters to get their gas and electricity under control. Our national campaign has already begun and will reach all households and microbusinesses in England, Scotland and Wales. For more information visit this page.

About smart meters and the rollout

Smart meters will replace the traditional meters we currently have in our homes. They will provide consumers with accurate bills, near real time information on energy usage in pounds and pence, and greater control over their gas and electricity. The smart meter rollout is an essential technology upgrade, unprecedented in its scale, to improve Great Britain’s energy infrastructure. Between now and 2020, everyone across England, Scotland and Wales will be offered a smart meter by their energy supplier at no extra cost. Almost 5 million smart meters have already been installed across Great Britain. To find out how you can get a smart meter from your energy supplier, pick up a leaflet from your local Post Office® branch or visit this page.

Smart Energy GB media contacts

For more information including interview requests, case studies of smart meter users, infographics, photography and video content please contact the Smart Energy GB media team:

Smart Energy GB:

Naomi Adams: [email protected]; 0203 019 1056 / 07921 836 986

Robbie Hurley: [email protected]; 0203 019 1062 / 07715 653 431