About Dods
The Company
Dods is the natural partner for Government, policy makers and policy influencers to consult, inform, understand and communicate effectively with the public affairs and policy making community and for organisations to directly liaise with and impact upon Government.
The company has earned this position after a long and successful history built upon providing contact and biographical information about and to the Houses of Parliament and the Civil Service since 1832. Renowned for the quality, accuracy and relevance of the political information it provides it is one of the oldest political publishing houses in the world offering some of the most regarded and respected political titles in the world.
Using online technology Dods improves the flow of communication, information and knowledge within the political community. Delivering impartial, timely and accurate public affairs and policy intelligence, our pedigree makes us the natural conduit for political and parliamentary communication.
Dods uses its sophisticated knowledge and information base to offer training and other development opportunities to people who work within or need to understand the political world.
The company has a range of premium publications, products and services to suit all public affairs and policy needs. For further information visit www.dods.co.uk and www.dods.eu.
Our History
1831
- Under the title Vacher's Corrected List of the House of Commons Returned to Serve in the 10th Parliament of the United Kingdom Thomas Vacher publishes the first ever edition of what is now know as Vacher's Quarterly. The first issue consisted of only 36 pages and cost 6d.
1833
- Vacher's Corrected List of the House of Commons Returned to Serve in the 10th Parliament of the United Kingdom is re-named to Vacher's Parliamentary Companion with the inclusion of the House of Lords.
1862
- Robert Low follows in his uncle's footsteps and takes over from Thomas Vacher as editor of Vacher's Parliamentary Companion.
1896
- Robert Low's partner Mr. S. Warburton becomes editor of Vacher's Parliamentary Companion.
1905
- Major Stanley Low, nephew of Robert Low, becomes editor of Vacher's Parliamentary Companion.
1932
- Vacher's Parliamentary Companion celebrates its 100th birthday!
1950
- Miss Hilary Preston, niece of Major Stanley Low, becomes editor of Vacher's Parliamentary Companion.
1972
- Vacher's European Companion is launched to complement Vacher's Parliamentary Companion and provide information on the people and institutions within the European Economic Communities (EEC).
1976
- The House Magazine - a parliamentary publication for MPs launches in October
1991
- DodOnDisk - the predecessor to DodOnline is launched allowing customers to receive information on MPs and Peers via a CD for use on their own computer.
1993
- Current editor of Vacher's Parliamentary Companion, Elizabeth Gunn, takes over as Editor in Chief.
1996
- Two of the oldest houses in political publishing - Dod's and Vacher's - merge to create a new publishing company - Vacher Dod Publishing.
1997
- The Handbook of House of Commons Procedure is first published. Written by parliamentary insider Paul Evans who has 15 years' experience as a clerk within the House of Commons.
2000
- ePolitix.com, a free political information site is launched carrying UK political news, information and MPs websites
2001
- Vacher's European Companion is merged with Vacher's Parliamentary Companion to provide one comprehensive UK and European Union quarterly companion.
2002
- Huveaux PLC acquires Vacher Dod Publishing Ltd.
- Dod's Civil Service Companion is launched, providing biographical information on senior and middle management civil servants.
- Dod's Scottish Parliament Companion is launched, providing biographical information on all Members of the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Executive.
2003
- Dod's Constituency Guide is published for the first time, providing in-depth profiles and statistics on all 659 UK Constituencies
- Dod's Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland Companion. Dod's Scottish Parliament Companion is expanded to include the National Assembly for Wales and the Northern Ireland Assembly.
- euPolitix a free political information site is launched carrying European political news, information and MPs websites.
2004
- Whitehall and Westminster World, a fortnightly publication for the civil service is launched.
- Huveaux PLC, the parent company of Dod's Parliamentary Communications acquires PCL bringing together The House Magazine, The Parliamentary Monitor, Parliament Magazine, Whitehall and Westminster World and ePolitix.com among other titles and Dods Political Publishing resource.
- Vacher's Parliamentary Companion is renamed Vacher's Quarterly.
- In over 173 years Vacher's has never missed an issue.
2005
- The Parliamentary Monitor group launches the Regional Monitor to highlight best practice in the Regional Development Agencies and local government.
- ePolitix launch Fringe Events at the Party Conferences.
2006
- The Parliament Magazine is rebranded and launches a sister publication The Parliament Magazine Regional Review. euPolitix is rebranded TheParliament.com - all three now represent The Parliament Group in Europe
- Vacher's Parliamentary Profiles, Who's Who in Public Affairs, Vacher's Parliamentary Profiles and Dod's Westminster Contacts are launched.
- Dod's Parliamentary Communications rebrands as Dods.
- Dods acquires PMSL.
Dods - Investing in Young People
Engaging Young People in Politics
Dods is committed to encouraging young people to take an active interest in politics and political issues. For a healthy democracy to flourish it requires its community to be informed, educated and involved. Whilst Dod’s Parliamentary Communications and its products engage many different stakeholders the company is conscious of its role in encouraging younger people to take an active interest in political issues and active citizenship.
Given the UK’s secret ballot, there is no definitive data on turnout among different age groups. Evidence however shows a continued a trend of disinterest in formal politics, although involvement in particular causes continues to grow. Pre-election data on voting intentions, a first-time-voters survey carried out by ICM research, found that only 18 per cent of 18- 22 year olds were certain to vote in the 2001 general election.
Investing in Youth Initiatives
Dods has a number of programmes and projects aimed at engaging young with politics and voting. These include:
- Electus Start - a website offering advice, information and job opportunities for young people who wish to work in and around politics. More information at www.electus-start.com
- Voting by Design - a collaboration with the Royal Society of Arts and Universities and students around the country to use design to interest people in democracy and voting. More information at http://www.rsa-design.net/directions/2004-05/votingbydesign.htm
- Democracy by Design - a collaboration with the Royal Society of Arts and Universities and Students around the country in 2005/6
The Parliamentary Press Gallery & Dods Annual Writing Competition
Since 2004 Dods and the Press Gallery have held a writing competition for young people - see www.writenow.org.uk for details.
