Scala shortlisted for two Prolific North awards

Scala has been shortlisted in two categories at this year’s Prolific North awards: Independent Agency of the Year and PR Campaign of the Year. The Prolific North awards celebrate the best creative, marketing and communications work across the North of England. Being shortlisted twice is a proud moment for our small team of eight, and for the clients we work with.

PR Campaign of the Year

Our PR Campaign of the Year entry recognises our work with bereaved and harmed families affected by NHS maternity care failings in Nottingham, Leeds and Sussex.

We have worked alongside maternity families in Nottingham for nearly a decade. Over the past year we adapted that family-led approach for campaigns in Leeds and Sussex, combining media, political engagement and specialist legal expertise. Each campaign was shaped around what the families wanted to achieve.

Families in Leeds and Sussex secured Donna Ockenden as Chair of their independent maternity reviews. In Sussex, the review also adopted the broader opt-out scope that families had called for. In February, Leeds families took a letter to the Prime Minister at Downing Street. In June, we organised the Nottingham families’ press conference for the publication of the final Ockenden report. Across the three campaigns, the work generated more than 250 pieces of regional, national and broadcast coverage and reached millions of people. It also encouraged other affected families to come forward.

We continue to support the Maternity Safety Alliance in its campaign for a statutory public inquiry into maternity safety.

Independent Agency of the Year

Scala was founded in 2009 and is the only boutique consultancy recognised for injury, inquests and inquiries. Our clients include claimant law firms, medical experts, barristers and neuro-rehabilitation providers.

Over the past year we have:

• won new instructions from leading law firms, including Tees, Lime Solicitors, Irwin Mitchell, Bindmans and Rothera Bray
• been ranked as a Leading Provider in the inaugural Legal 500 Dispute Services Guide, alongside our ranking in the Chambers Litigation Support Guide
• grown our turnover by 43% over two years
• launched media interview training for injury lawyers with former BBC and Sky News journalist Charlotte Leeming

Our recent work has included supporting survivors of the 2023 Nottingham attacks through the Nottingham Inquiry. We also handled media around the landmark Supreme Court ruling in CCC v Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, and supported the family of the late Dame Julie Kenny at her inquest.

Natalie Rodgers, Managing Director of Scala, said:

“We’re delighted to be shortlisted for two Prolific North awards. Our maternity work is led by families who have campaigned with great courage, often while reliving the most painful moments of their lives. It is a privilege to help make sure their voices are heard by the people who can make change happen.

“Being shortlisted for Independent Agency of the Year also recognises the dedication of our team. We have grown a great deal in the past few years without losing the specialist focus and care our clients rely on.”

The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on 19^th November in Manchester.

#CelebrateTheNorth