PPA Public Affairs Executive, Amy Owens has been shortlisted for Public Affairs Newcomer of the Year. Amy joined the PPA in February 2018 as a graduate, new to the workplace and to her career in public affairs and has grown to be integral to PPA's public affairs successes. Over the last two year, she has built her reputation within the industry and has become a highly regarded member of PPA's small team.

PPA have also been recognised for our sustained cross-industry campaign to Axe The Reading Tax, supporting investment in journalism and helping promote greater levels of literacy. At the end of April this year, this campaign was successfully recognised by the Government and zero-rate VAT on digital publications was delivered. PPA CEO Owen Meredith commented on the success of the campaign: "Today’s announcement is very welcome news and a much needed step. PPA called for the zero-rating announced in the Budget to be brought forward to the start of the tax year and I am pleased government has listened and acted.

“In these exceptional times, consumers are hungry for trusted sources of news, information and analysis and turning to the pages of magazine media, both in print and digital. Ending the digital VAT penalty now is a vital lifeline as publishers adapt to these exceptional circumstances. As we all spend more time at home to stop the spread of this virus, subscribing to a magazine is a great way to keep entertained and indulge your hobbies and interests with trusted, quality journalism.”

As a result of the success of this campaign, PPA have also been shortlisted for Best Campaign to actively form or shift Government policy and Best Proactive Lobbying Campaign on an issue or cause.