The Public Sector Week

Two new senior hires at the Department for International Development

The Department for International Development has appointed two high-level PR professionals to its communications unit. Charlotte Morgan has been hired as deputy head of news, along with Natalie Acton, who is the new deputy comms director and head of strategic comms.

Edinburgh Council has selected Verve Communications to carry out a £15,500 review of its PR department. The Lib Dem/SNP administration ordered the independent review of the communications department to ensure that workers are delivering a cost-effective service.

The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills has re-awarded Consolidated a brief to promote its student finance package following a three-way pitch.

Dudley Council spent £945,000 on PR in the last financial year, reveals the Daily Express and Daily Star. The PR department employed 18 full-time press officers who earn an average of more than £32,000 a year. The total staff wage bill, including six part-time staff, was £680,000.

DTW has named marketing expert Hayley Stewart as a board director. The Yorkshire-based PR agency previously employed Stewart for a five-year stint but she left to help run a family business.

Newham Council has launched two films to celebrate the Beijing Olympic Games coming to a close, and the eyes of the world turning to Newham, Greater London, as host of the next summer Olympic Games. The films feature Newham residents performing Olympic-inspired feats and reflecting on their dreams and ambitions for 2012.