Annual PR prize launched in memory of Claire

The annual competition, now in its fifth year, is in memory of Claire, whose corporate relations career spanned 35 years, and is funded by her widower Graham Rimmer and Redmayne-Bentley stockbrokers in Leeds.

To land the top prize, students must devise a public relations campaign to support the implementation of new plastic bank notes by 2016 and win public approval of the initiative, which has been announced by Mark Carney, Governor of the Bank of England.

The judging panel will be Christine Mortimer, Co-founder of Leeds and London-based MCG PR, and Carol Arthur, Senior Account Director at Quest PR, Harrogate. Two runners up prizes of £500 and a one-week placement at MCG and Quest PR are also up for grabs.

The judging panel said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to get some real, practical experience of devising a plan for alive brief. I enjoy seeing the creative solutions our students come up with and it is right to be working in partnership with industry on such a project. The prize, which in previous years has proved invaluable for students, is also a fitting tribute to Claire, who was a true professional."

Last year's Claire Mascall prize winner and Leeds Met PR student, Maddie Arnold, added: "I would encourage anyone to enter the competition. I have gained so much from the whole experience, from researching the initial challenge through to completing a fantastic placement, with the funds to support your stay in London - and buy some smart clothes to wear that will come in very useful for graduate job interviews!"

Claire had a 35-year career in corporate relations that ranged from the nuclear and electricity industries to housing and construction,banking, and finance. Shrugging off any resistance she encountered in the traditionally male-oriented industries she worked in, Claire rose to become Head of Corporate Affairs at the London Stock Exchange and Global Head of Corporate Communications at ING Barings before setting up the consultancy Mascall Rimmer & Associates with her husband.

Her warm and open character won her many friends and admirers throughout her career before she passed away in 2007.