From time to time, your organisation brings change to people's lives.

Stakeholder communications is a tool for helping people to understand that change.

It is often a legal requirement across a broad swathe of sectors and activities, including planning applications, employee consultations, infrastructure projects, changes to the NHS, and housing stock transfers.

This trend - of an increasing amount of new legislation requiring stakeholder engagement - looks set to continue.

Negotiating the array of hurdles required for compliance, whilst keeping communities and stakeholders informed and engaged, requires specialist expertise.

Freshwater’s national network is staffed by professionals with a profound knowledge of stakeholder communications and public consultation.

We know the ins-and-outs of the process - especially when it comes to satisfying statutory requirements and engaging with both communities and political bodies.

Whoever we work with, our strategic approach to stakeholder communications involves:

1.    Identifying your communities and stakeholders, and getting to know them

2.    Engaging key stakeholders early and communicating often; making the most of the pre-consultation period in order to anticipate challenges

3.    Involving the wider community through consultation; fostering support and minimising opposition

Failure to communicate effectively with stakeholders can be very costly. If a project is de-railed by legal obstacles or public opposition, it may cost millions to get it back on track.

In implementing a truly proactive stakeholder communications strategy, Freshwater delivers real cost savings and peace of mind, ensuring that your organisation complies fully with the relevant legislation.

News

• COMMENTARY: RBS learns from financial crisis but will change be sustained?

  A senior banker apologising. Am I hearing things, I wondered, as I tucked into my starter at a South Wales Chamber of Commerce lunch the other day?

• Freshwater off to a flyer for clients in Olympic year

  Freshwater's northern team were quick off the blocks as Britain prepares to welcome the world to the 2012 Olympics.

• HMRC should treat everyone the same

  'Nil' is rarely a good word to see in a financial report, but I was pleased it sat alongside 'tax liabilities' in our annual accounts this year.

• Freshwater strengthens Midlands operation with newly-appointed Account Director

  Staffordshire born PR professional Adrian Marklew has joined leading UK regional and specialist communications consultancy Freshwater to head up its Midlands operation as an Account Director.

Case studies

• John Lewis

  Raising the profile of the new John Lewis store with shoppers in Cardiff and Wales

• European Tour Ryder Cup Board

  Preparing for 2010

• Neath Port Talbot College

  More than just an education

• PR campaign: NHS Blood and Transplant

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• John Lewis

  Regional store opening and redevelopment programme

• Media monitoring and analysis: NHS South West

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