CITY WHISPERS: Drax asks journalists for help amid PR crisis

Power station operator Drax has been struggling with its image for a while.

Its claims to be a green energy giant have come under increasing scrutiny from activists, who argue that its practice of burning wood pellets to produce electricity is anything but environmentally friendly. 

The PR crisis seems to have escalated to such an extent that the group is now asking hacks for help.

Power play: Power station operator Drax has been struggling with its image for a while

According to an email sent by Drax’s external affairs director Jonathan Oates, ‘a number of key journalists’ are being asked to fill out a survey to gauge the company’s reputation on Fleet Street.

The questionnaire asks what they think of Drax’s management and, notably, whether they think it is complying with its sustainability goals.

In an attempt to sweeten the deal, Drax is also offering a £100 donation for each survey that gets filled out, with the charity to be decided by the relevant hack.

Friends of the Earth, perhaps?

Surprise guest at BAE soiree 

A surprise attendee at BAE’s festive drinks last week was Matt Hancock. 

No one was quite sure why the reality TV star and one-time Health Secretary was at the defence firm’s shindig, held in the splendour of Whitehall’s Banqueting House. 

He also appeared underdressed in scruffy jeans, trainers and a fleece. 

Perhaps Hancock, recently menaced by military types in the TV series Celebrity SAS, was anticipating a repeat performance. 

Head of PR firm Brunswick a ‘hypocrite’

Tongues have been wagging in Westminster about Sir Alan Parker, the head of PR outfit Brunswick, Whispers hears.

As revealed by The Mail on Sunday, Brunswick has been connecting the Labour Party with business leaders ahead of the next election. 

But Whispers understands senior Government figures have branded Parker a ‘hypocrite’ who is ‘talking out of both sides of his mouth’ for continuing to hook up his clients with the Tory Government. 

A Brunswick spokesman said it has never acted for a political party.

But any good PR man knows you have to have contacts on both sides of the fence. 

And Parker is also a known chum of the Foreign Secretary – Lord Cameron stayed at his house after he left Downing Street. 

Some might still say there is a fine line to tread.

Revolut blowing a trumpet 

Revolut’s head of PR Michael Bodansky took to LinkedIn last week to trumpet staff who go on to create start-ups.

Apparently Revolut has produced more founders than any other private tech company in Europe.

But Whispers questions how much there is to celebrate in staff striking out on their own, especially as the fintech firm was accused by former employees of setting unachievable targets and forcing them to do unpaid work.

Revolut says the working environment has been overhauled – but would staff still prefer to take their ideas elsewhere?

                                                             Contributors: Francesca Washtell, John-Paul Ford Rojas 

This post first appeared on Dailymail.co.uk