GB-Sheffield: Midlands - Regional PR Support

We are looking for an agency that can demonstrate the following:

•A strong team with a depth of understanding of the small business finance ecosystem in the Midlands and political and policy environment for smaller businesses.

•Wide ranging experience working in small business finance, corporate finance and investment sectors (N.B. please do not include experience relating to consumer or retail financial services). •A track-record working for both public and private sector organisations.

•A proven track record of successful campaigns targeting relevant audiences in the Midlands covered by the tender.

•A track-record of delivering work outside London, across the Midlands. In area presence is preferred.

•Extensive knowledge and breadth of understanding of the Scottish business and financial media with strong relationships across the Midlands media.

•Knowledge and breadth of understanding of the Midlands stakeholder structures including representative bodies and potential strategic partners

•A track-record working as an extension to an in-house media relations team/press office, including distributing and selling-in press notices/announcements.

•A track-record of developing and managing successful, creative public relations campaigns aimed at B2B and stakeholder audiences.

•A commitment to measurement and evaluation and working to agreed KPIs, familiar with using the Barcelona Principles or the Government Communications Service (GCS) Evaluation Framework. •The agency selected will have the capacity and capability to deliver against an agreed scope of work, on time and on budget. Effective integration of planned work with the bank's three main regional fund programmes and partner agencies is a key requirement. These three regional funds are the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF), Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF) and Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Investment Fund (CIOSIF) •Working with the Bank's UK Network team and marketing team to deliver relevant supporting PR activity in support of campaigns or thematic activity will also be required

•The agency will offer an account team that has demonstrable experience of corporate communications, reputation management, public relations and campaigns

Additional information: The contracting authority considers that this contract may be suitable for economic operators that are small or medium enterprises (SMEs). However, any selection of tenderers will be based solely on the criteria set out for the procurement.