Genesis PR has been shortlisted for the national Outstanding Small Public Relations Consultancy of the Year title at the 2016 Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) Excellence Awards.

The award is open to agencies with an annual fee income of less than £1million and Genesis is the only firm from the East of England to make the final shortlist,

The winners will be revealed at a ceremony on June 8 at Old Billingsgate in London.

The CIPR Excellence Awards reward best practice in public relations, covering agencies of all sizes and in-house PR teams.

Genesis has grown to become one of the largest PR and reputation management agencies in East Anglia, delivering consumer engagement and business to business PR, digital and social media for private and public sector clients nationally and regionally.

Last year, the agency moved in to new offices in Ipswich and currently consists of a team of 10 people.

Director Penny Arbuthnot said: “We’re thrilled to have been shortlisted for this top national award. We have developed many good, long term relationships with our clients and have grown our team in order to develop the business further.

“The awards recognise the sector-leading work we are doing and we will be celebrating making the final shortlist with our team.”

Paul Mylrea, co-chair of the awards judging panel, said: “The CIPR Excellence Awards highlight great work, helping develop best practice for the future. They show clients and employers the value and originality of work and reward people with the recognition they deserve.

“To be shortlisted is a reason to celebrate, all the more so as the standard of entries improves year-on-year, testament to an industry that’s growing in importance and influence.”

Fellow co-chair Sandra Macleod added: “What sets the CIPR Excellence Awards out from the crowd are the face-to-face panel interviews where entrants have to demonstrate an in-depth knowledge to a panel of highly experienced judges.”