The 2019 Suzy Spirit Award was awarded to Addy Frederick at last week’s PRmoment awards ceremony in London. The award seeks to recognise the unsung heroes of the PR and Communications industry, acknowledging individuals who show exceptional character, determination and spirit. Bowel Cancer UK receives a donation as part of the award.
Now in its sixth year, the judges chose Addy from a shortlist of five exceptional candidates. Addy, who is currently in a Group Communications role at Prudential, was nominated by former BUPA colleague Juliette Roche, and described by colleague Aaron Bains as “really passionate about PR and communications, and a really well-rounded professional. She genuinely cares about people and does a lot outside of work to help various communities, whether it’s young women getting into work or ethnic minorities”.
Addy was praised by the judges for her ability to inspire others and her extensive volunteer work and commitment to increasing diversity and supporting those with mental health issues within the PR and Communications industry. She mentors as part of the PRWeek BME PROs 2019 mentoring scheme, volunteers as a communications consultant for Path to Possibilities supporting education in Nigeria, and supported a group helping female domestic abuse survivors.
“We received some excellent nominations this year – there are some truly inspiring people working in our industry that we should be proud of,” said Sally O’Neill, VP International at LEWIS and one of the judges. “Selecting a winner from our shortlist was challenging, but we chose Addy because we loved the way she has created a culture of being kind and approachable at work to build trust with colleagues and inspire them in their everyday work. Her commitment outside of work to mentoring others, helping those with mental health issues, and volunteering so that others benefit from her skills made her a very worthy winner.”
“Addy’s passion, integrity and willingness to give up her time to help others and be part of the change she wants to see in the industry and wider world makes her an incredible role model,” she added.
The other four finalists shortlisted for the Suzy Spirit Award 2019 were: Sarah Hall, Managing Director of Sarah Hall Consulting; Kev O’Sullivan, Executive Creative Director at FleishmanHillard Fishburn; Billie Dee Gianfrancesco, Head of Public Relations at Vardags; and Kayte Burns, Marketing and Communications Manager at NEP UK.
Last year’s winner was Andy Garner, Creative at Mischief PR, whose humble nature and genuine desire to help others inspired judges.
The award was launched by LEWIS in 2013 to honour a former employee, Suzy Ferguson, who passed away from bowel cancer, aged 31, in 2012. Each year in support of the award LEWIS makes a donation to Bowel Cancer UK to help fund their vital work and research.
