Institute of Internal Communication

The ICons of internal communication were recognised at a new awards ceremony organized by the Institute of Internal Communication.

Communicators from across Europe gathered at the Landmark Hotel in London for the first ICon Awards celebration as prizes were handed out in 14 categories.

“The ICons celebrate outstanding internal communication and pay tribute to some fine internal comms professionals,” said Institute chief executive Steve Doswell who presented the awards.

“There’s nothing better than proving you’re worth it, so an ICon Award that’s judged by your peers is something to treasure.”

“It’s about those who stand out from the crowd, achieve outstanding results and make a real difference for their organisations.”

The awards varied from Best In-House Team – Corporate, which was won by the Post office Communications Team, to Best Photographer (David Cotter from AB Comms). Other winners included Internal Communicator of the Year (Ewa Gebala of ArcelorMittal), Best Freelance/Interim (Alison Harmer of Harmer Editorial Services), and Best Writer (Marcus Doherty for RBS World).

The ICons replaced the former COTY (Communicator of the Year awards) and new categories included The ICon Award, won by David Bassom of Barnardo’s, and the Kathie Jones ‘Rising Star’ (named in honour of the Institute’s former chief executive), which went to Hannah Tufts of the Security Company (pictured above with Kathie).

David said: "I am thrilled and honoured to receive the 2011 ICon Award. It's a great privilege to be featured alongside such tremendously talented individuals, especially during this time of unprecedented innovation and ambition in internal communications."

Hannah added: “I’m really, really pleased and so are my colleagues. It’s a real honour to be recognized by my internal comms colleagues in the Institute.”

Also at the ceremony, Bryn and Emma Parry, founders of the Help For Heroes charity, were officially presented with the Institute’s Communicators of the Year title (Bryn and Emma are pictured above with IoIC chief executive Steve Doswell).

The event also saw winners of the FEIEA Grand Prix receive their awards. FEIEA is the federation of European internal communication associations, and the winners were selected from 140 entries from 11 countries.

Full list of winners...

ICon Awards 
Class 1: Best In-house Team - Corporate
The Post Office Communications Team

Class 2: Best In-house Team - Public/Not-for-profit Sector
Internal and Change Communications Team, HMRC

Class 4: The Kathie Jones 'Rising Star'
Hannah Tufts, The Security Company

Class 5: Best Editor
Ben Walker for Professional Manager, Think

Class 6: Best Writer
Marcus Doherty for RBS World, RBS Group

Class 7: Best Designer
Nigel Wood, Sequel Group

Class 8: Best Photographer
David Cotter, AB

Class 9: Best Freelance/Interim
Alison Harmer, Harmer Editorial Services

Class 10: Best Agency Team
AB's Post Office Team

Class 11: Best Agency
Allman Communication Ltd

Class 12: Accreditation Student of the Year
Sophie Hewitt, Capita Life & Pensions Services

Class 13: Internal Communicator of the Year
Ewa Gebala, ArcelorMittal

Class 14: The ICon Award
David Bassom, Barnardo's