Weber Shandwick Public Affairs Director, Luke Akehurst wins ‘UK Consultant of the Year’

Last week saw Weber Shandwick Public Affairs Director, Luke Akehurst win the title of ‘UK Consultant of the Year’ at the 2008 Public Affairs News Awards, which is the only awards programme to celebrate and honour achievement and excellence in the Public Affairs industry, both in the UK and across Europe.

Since joining the agency in 2000, Luke has advised longstanding clients such as Balfour Beatty, Finmeccanica and GKN plc. Over the last year, he has also won prestigious new clients such as support services giant Serco Group. He is an acknowledged policy expert on defence and local government issues and advises major corporations, voluntary sector clients and not-for-profit organisations.

Most recently, he has advised Shropshire County Council on achieving its bid to become a unitary council, and advised Devon County Council on their successful campaign, against the political odds, to fend off a unitary bid by Exeter.