The President's Year

I began communicating directly with members about the year ahead, including through the CIPR Volunteer Welcome session and the new CIPR: 1 Minute format. The latter developed into a regular way of sharing Institute news, opportunities and issues affecting the profession.

Watch the very first 1-Minute update: youtu.be/Rj81w1iGn4k

I also spoke at the CIPR Not-for-Profit group’s CPD Hacks event about the importance of continuous professional development and making learning a sustained professional habit.

On 28 January, I represented the CIPR at the launch of the Business & Democracy Commission report Navigating Growing Political Pressures, held at Ipsos in London and supported by Jericho Chambers, Ipsos and the CIPR. The report explored the growing political pressures facing business, from disinformation and values conflicts to lobbying scrutiny, and the implications these have for trust, legitimacy and long-term organisational resilience.

For me, the discussion was an important example of where public relations belongs: close to the strategic decisions organisations make about reputation, public trust and their relationship with society.

I also contributed to Crisis Communications for Boards, an initiative involving the CIPR Crisis Communications Network and the Institute of Directors. My contribution focused on horizon scanning and the role it plays in risk mitigation and crisis preparedness.

That work connected closely with one of the wider themes of my presidency: strengthening recognition of communications as a management discipline with a legitimate place in board-level discussions about risk, reputation and organisational resilience.

In March, I co-hosted the CIPR Executive Dinner Series: Geopolitics, hosted with Farrer & Co, bringing together senior figures from communications, business and related professions.

The conversation explored the reputational implications of a changing geopolitical environment, including the effects of political instability, economic pressure and global uncertainty on organisations. These smaller senior-level gatherings create space for deeper discussion and help connect the Institute with leaders dealing directly with complex reputation challenges.

I also visited City St George’s, University of London, where I delivered a guest lecture to Master’s students on reputation management. We discussed real-world reputation and crisis challenges, the impact of AI and the skills future practitioners will need.

Earlier in the month, I represented the profession at the Diversity UK Changemakers Series, joining a discussion on leadership, entrepreneurship and professional networks.

April was one of the busiest months of the year.

I attended the CIPR’s Corporate Affiliate networking event, meeting in-house teams, agency leaders and senior communicators. Strengthening the relationship between the Institute and organisations employing communications professionals is an important part of professionalisation because employers have a direct role in supporting standards, development and recognition of the profession.

On 17 April, I joined CIPR Wessex for Fake Experts: Challenges for Media and PR Professionals. The discussion brought together perspectives from journalism and public relations, including Gerald Bowey, President of the Chartered Institute of Journalists.

We explored verification, professional accountability and the pressures facing both professions in an increasingly difficult information environment. Trust depends on the quality of the information reaching the public, and professional bodies have an important role in supporting standards across those connected disciplines.

Here’s a short clip from the event: youtu.be/tjW4JEYFF_M

Later in the month, I took part in the CIPR International webinar From Stereotypes to Strategy: Building a Nation’s Narrative, examining nation branding and the strategic role of communications internationally.

Here’s a replay of the event: youtu.be/n9uS13lsQWI

April also saw the first CIPR Quarterly Progress Live broadcast, another opportunity to speak directly with members about the Institute’s work and progress during the year.

You can watch a replay here: youtube.com/live/OYCYWO85nCY

I returned to London College of Communication in May, this time to speak with first-year students about the PR industry, my own professional journey and the opportunities available to those beginning their careers.

On 20 May, I co-hosted another CIPR Corporate Executive Dinner with Lewis Silkin. The evening brought together senior communications practitioners for a discussion centred on reputation management.

Our conversation ranged across fragmented audiences, crisis communications, geopolitical uncertainty and the UK’s reputation and soft power. I value these discussions because they bring senior practitioners into closer contact with the Institute and provide a forum for examining the issues occupying communications leaders at the highest level.

Later in the month, I joined the CIPR STEM Committee as a guest, continuing my engagement with the Institute’s specialist communities.

On 18 June, I spoke at the AI for PR Conference 2026 conference in London.

AI-driven innovation is one of the central themes of my presidency. My interest is in what the technology means for the future status and practice of public relations: which tasks will change, which capabilities will become more valuable and how practitioners can use AI while maintaining professional judgement, ethical standards and strategic responsibility.

On 1 July, I opened the CIPR Excellence Awards in London.

The Excellence Awards are one of the major moments in the Institute’s calendar and an opportunity to recognise exceptional work across the profession. Celebrating professional excellence matters because awards can make good practice visible and give practitioners a chance to learn from the standards being set across the industry.

The following day brought another CIPR Quarterly Progress Live, continuing our regular communication with members.

Here’s a recap: youtube.com/live/u8v6Fua8S2w

I also took part in the CIPR’s Annual General Meeting during July, another part of the essential governance work that accompanies the more public side of the presidency.

The month also included work with Influence examining the implications of the UK-India relationship for public relations and communications, connecting with my wider interest in the international development of the profession.

On 12 August, I spoke at the launch webinar for the CIPR Research Fund report Impact Beyond Borders: Expanding Global Access for Young African Communicators, authored by Adedoyin Jaiyesimi Chart.PR, MCIPR.

The research drew on more than 200 respondents across 11 African countries and examined why young African communications professionals can struggle to access global PR training, certification and employment. Its findings around affordability, awareness and the relevance of international training to African markets raise important questions for professional bodies with global ambitions.

This connected closely with one of the commitments I made in my presidential manifesto: strengthening international engagement and knowledge-sharing. If the profession is to become genuinely global, access to its institutions, development opportunities and professional networks has to extend meaningfully across markets.