A FORMER Llanidloes High School pupil has scooped one of the communications industry’s most prestigious awards.

Nan Williams, who founded the award-winning UK-based PR agency Four Communications in 2001, was awarded the Outstanding Individual Achievement accolade at The SABRE Awards.

“I am thrilled to have been honoured with this award – it will take absolute pride of place in my office,” Nan said.

“I couldn’t have got where I am today without the help of the amazing team of people we have always had around us since founding Four.”

In the 18 years since Nan co-founded the business, she has built Four from seven people to around 350, making it one of the UK’s 15 largest PR agencies (and just outside the world top 50).

Born in North Wales and living on Anglesey until she was five, Nan was then brought up in Llanidloes where she attended Llanidloes High School. One of her fondest memories of life in Mid Wales is being named Morwyn y Fro at the Machynlleth National Eisteddfod in 1981.

She went on to study modern languages and history of art at Christ’s College, Cambridge, adding French and Italian to her Welsh and English language skills.

She gained an MBA from Cranfield University, writing her dissertation on public relations in China following a research visit to Beijing and Shanghai.

Nan added: “I live in London these days but keep a close eye on life in Wales, working with our Wales team Four Cymru – based in Aberystwyth and Cardiff – with clients such as the Welsh Government and specialising in public sector and food industry communications.”

With offices in the UK and in the Middle East, the independent agency’s services span public relations, media planning and buying, public affairs, social media, advertising, design and digital.

After receiving a major investment from the Business Growth Fund in 2015, Four doubled its size in the following four years.

Currently 11 acquisitions later, the business goes from strength from strength.