AN Ilkley based public relations firm is welcoming a new member to the team and celebrating more awards success.

Managing director of Approach PR Suzanne Johns said her firm, which has already won a string of awards, is continuing its commitment to practitioner development with the appointment of PR student Rebekha White as junior account executive.

Manchester-born Rebekha, 20, is working her sandwich year at the firm as part of her degree BA (Hons) Public Relations and Communication at Leeds Metropolitan University.

In addition to the team growth, graphic designer Danny Greenwood, 22, has been shortlisted at the digital Big Chip Awards for the ‘Little Chip Placement/Apprentice Award’ for his creative contributions to a number of Approach’s regional and national clients.

With a passion for social media and experience with the Action for Sick Children charity, Rebekha will be providing account support to clients including Advanced Actuators, Smoke Barbecue and supporting the team’s 2015 Ilkley Carnival campaign.

Rebekha said: “I am delighted to be given the opportunity to gain experience with a team of passionate and hardworking practitioners who strive to get the best results. To get the chance to work on some of their brilliant, innovative campaigns for a number of their clients is something I am very much looking forward to. To work in such a lovely location is also an added bonus!”

Suzanne Johns, who was recently Bradford Means Business ‘Woman in Business’ winner, said: “We’re very excited to welcome Rebekha to the team as part of her degree progression. We have a strong commitment to developing future PR and creative stars and have had great experiences with past Leeds Met placement students.”

Danny’s shortlisted work includes a stop motion Vine video used to promote a ‘Man vs Food’ eating challenge at Sheffield restaurant Smoke Barbecue. The Vine was shared across the restaurant’s social media accounts and received 10 retweets during its first appearance on online networking hour #southyorkshirehour.

“Danny originally joined Approach as part of a graduate development scheme by Bradford Council’s Employment and Enterprise Team so we’re delighted that his digital creativity has been shortlisted for a Big Chip award. Now working at Pinnacle Graphic Design, Danny continues to have a vast creative input in our digital offerings,” Suzanne added.

The Big Chip Award winners will be announced at the ceremony in Manchester on Thursday, July 3.