BP, the UK energy group, cemented its reputation as one of the most investor-friendly companies last week, carrying off the Investor Relations magazine award for best overall investor relations at a UK company.

Fergus McLeod and Peter Hall, who head BP's investor relations department, took home the award for best investor relations officer. Hammerson, the property developer, won the prize for best investor relations at a FTSE 250 company for the third year running, with ARM Holdings and IMI both highly commended. The awards are made following an independent survey of more than 700 investment professionals, fund managers and analysts.