Client Case Studies

Ranelagh’s staff have developed policy and industry expertise across a wide range of sectors. Our current and past clients range from national trade associations to global corporations, from not-for-profit organisations to regional businesses – for each we offer a tailored, personal approach. For further information regarding our clients, please contact Anna Wolffe.

The Federation of Racecourse Bookmakers (FRB) have been working to ensure that on-course bookmakers’ assets were recognised by racecourses. Due to a drafting error, the Gambling Act 2005 had the unintended consequence of allowing the Racecourse Association (RCA) to refuse to recognise on-course bookmakers assets from 2012.

Ranelagh helped the FRB galvanise considerable parliamentary support. By working with the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Racing and Bloodstock, Ranelagh was able to widen the FRB’s exposure to MPs with an interest in the industry. The APPG made supportive statements and agreed there had been an oversight in the legislation.

Ranelagh helped the FRB secure a Select Committee inquiry. The FRB gave oral evidence and the final report fully supported their position. Ranelagh also helped the FRB develop a close working relationship with the Minister and civil servants within the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in an effort to resolve this dispute.

As a result of Ranelagh’s work, the Minister established a working party on the issues put forward by FRB, helping them receive the Minister’s support. Accordingly, the Minister threatened the RCA with further legislation to correct the original oversight if they did not engage in productive negotiations.

Ranelagh has successfully negotiated with all RCA and non-RCA racecourses to bring about mutually acceptable contracts which secure the c.£100m investment made by bookmakers in their pitches.

GL Assessment is the largest provider of 11+ assessments to schools in the UK. GL and Ranelagh worked together to engage with Ministers and Civil Servants to assist with the development of the Government’s education policies.

Ranelagh identified a desire by the Government to expand the number of grammar schools as early as 2013 and as such undertook a programme of engagement with key backbenchers, in order to build a network of advocates and engage with policy development. Ranelagh organised visits for politicians to grammar schools and met civil servants at the Department for Education in order to ensure a full understanding of GL’s expertise in this area.

This allowed GL to react immediately when Theresa May announced an expansion of grammar schools. Due to Ranelagh and GL’s already established network of politicians, Ranelagh was able to explain the work the company does to promote social mobility. This led to GL being included as a key stakeholder in the Department for Education’s discussion surrounding 11+ assessment.

Ranelagh was also able to help GL secure a positive outcome from the Independent review into Key Stage 2 testing, assessment and accountability, carried out by Lord Bew in 2011. By drafting and submitting written evidence to the Bew Review on behalf of GL, Ranelagh’s work led to GL being called to present oral evidence, and subsequently also secured a one-on-one meeting with Lord Bew for GL. The outcomes of the Bew Review were very positive for GL, concluding that the status quo should be maintained regarding SATs, GL’s primary aim at the time.

The Wood Panel Industries Federation worked with Ranelagh to help them to get the Government to consider their positions in regards to its Renewables Strategy. In doing so, Ranelagh launched the Federation’s ‘Stop Burning Our Trees Campaign’ to help to highlight concerns about using virgin domestic wood for large scale electricity generation. The integrated campaign included launch events, guerrilla marketing and utilised social media platforms to take the message to a wider audience.

Ranelagh’s work in with the campaign helped to secure consistent coverage for the campaign across the national mainstream media on the debates raised by the campaign. Ranelagh also successfully partnered with other stakeholders to position the campaign’s message amidst the wider renewables debate.

Ranelagh also briefed and lobbied Government and opposition politicians in Westminster and Scotland, and developed links with other concerned parties. As a result, Ranelagh secured the removal of biomass subsidy support for large plants in Scotland.

The National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) works to increase standards across the roofing industry, and for its members’ qualifications and training to be better recognised. The NFRC has worked with Ranelagh in order to promote CompetentRoofer, the Government approved Competent Persons Scheme which promotes minimum standards of excellence in roofing. The NFRC also aimed to increase recognition for their work, and to establish the organisation as a trusted source of advice and information for politicians.

In order to achieve the NFRC’s aims, Ranelagh helped establish the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for the Roofing Industry in 2005, and then again after the 2010 and 2015 General Elections. The APPG had an active membership with regular meetings, helping the NFRC to find supportive voices at Westminster. Additionally Ranelagh helped the Federation raise its profile in the Scottish Parliament, leading to the industry’s contribution to heritage skills being recognised by the Parliament and to funding being received from the Scottish Government.

Ranelagh worked with officials at the Department for Communities and Local Government to gain the support of the Minister to establish the CompetentRoofer scheme. With the Minister’s endorsement, the scheme became operational, with the NFRC being seen to be a valued advisor to Government. Ranelagh also ensured that the NFRC was seen as an expert stakeholder during the formulation of the Green Deal and Energy Companies Obligation.

Ranelagh also helped the NFRC table a successful amendment to the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act to ensure the statutory requirement for Sector Skills Councils and Trade Associations to be consulted on the provision of apprenticeship places.

The Professional Light and Sound Association (PLASA) operates across the live events, entertainment and installation industries. Its members were responsible for the supply, manufacture and production of the audio and visual content for the London 2012 Olympic Games. However, due to the Olympic No Marketing Rights Protocol, PLASA’s members (many of whom are SME’s) were not permitted to publicise their involvement in the Games, stopping them from gaining new business in light of this work, and from benefitting from the Olympic Legacy.

Ranelagh worked with PLASA to highlight the need for action to allow Olympic suppliers, including PLASA members, to promote their involvement in the London 2012 Olympics. In order to do this, PLASA developed relationships with MPs, Peers, Ministers, Shadow Ministers, Government advisers, the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games and officials from the British Olympic Authority. PLASA also submitted evidence to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee Inquiry into Supporting the Creative Economy and secured an opportunity to give oral evidence to the Committee. PLASA’s oral and written evidence to the Select Committee was directly quoted in the final report and during subsequent debates on this issue.

Ranelagh’s work led to the Government announcing the establishment of the Supplier Recognition Scheme – the first in Olympic history – which relaxed marketing restrictions for eligible suppliers. As a result, hundreds of applicants have now secured a licence under the scheme, allowing them to benefit from their involvement in the Olympics. PLASA members report that they have built new business relationships as a result of their involvement in the scheme.

Sonae Industria was one of the largest wood-based panel producers in the world. Prior to working with Ranelagh, a number of factory fires and health and safety issues gave the company a poor standing in the local community. Ranelagh worked to reopen dialogue with the hostile local MP who was extremely outspoken in his criticism of Sonae.

Ranelagh arranged 2 open days for Sonae’s plant, and invited Councillors and MPs whose constituents worked in the plant. After this initial positive engagement, Ranelagh helped Sonae build relationships with officials from the local Council, including with fire and health and safety officers, and with local unions. Ranelagh acted as conduit for information between MPs and Sonae at all times.

Ranelagh assisted Sonae with completing local community work, including their submission for an environmental award. As a result, the relationship between Sonae and their local MP improved, and Sonae was able to establish a positive working relationship with Councillors and council officials.