1284 Communications has been shortlisted for Small PR Consultancy of the Year at the CIPR Excellence Awards 2026.

The awards, now in its 42nd year, is regarded as the national benchmark for public relations excellence in the UK.

The shortlisting comes days after 1284 was named Midlands Small PR Agency of the Year at the CIPR’s Midlands PR Awards.

The company’s regional win followed a year of working to embed independently audited standards - including ISO 9001, Crown Commercial Supplier status, and Cyber Essentials Plus.

1284 also took home the regional prize for Best Use of AI, while account executive Lauren Cropper was named Rising Star. In total, 1284 took gold in all three categories it entered.

Judges praised the team for their commitment to Continuing Professional Development and innovation, noting that "EDI, ethics, and ESG are embedded at the heart of their work, driving strong growth and client retention".

1284 has again reached the CIPR Excellence finals, appearing among a shortlist of eight agencies that spans some of the UK industry's most respected small consultancies.

This year, 145 organisations and professionals will competing across 33 categories, with the winners being announced on 1 July 2026 at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London.

Finalists in the category for Small PR Consultancy of the Year at CIPR Excellence 2026 are:

• 1284 Communications (Loughborough)
• Aberfield Communications (Leeds)
• Honest Communications (Derby)
• Inflect (London)
• Stakked (London)
• Strike (Bristol)
• The Heard (London)
• Viva (Rossendale)

George Oliver, Managing Director of 1284 Communications, said: “Winning in the Midlands was a huge moment for the whole team. It validated the hard work, the standards we set ourselves, and the culture we've built here. 

“To then be shortlisted days later at the national Excellence Awards further hammered the point home. We're a small agency, but we've always believed that doing things properly - ethically, strategically, and with real purpose - produces campaigns that hold nationally. This shortlisting proves that.”