CIPR welcomes Government commitment to professionalism
Professionals working in Government Communication will benefit from career development and clear career paths, including a talent management programme and secondment opportunities, in proposals published this week aimed at increasing the efficiency, visibility and effectiveness of government communicators.
Communications is now one of nine ‘functional professions’ within Government, according to Alex Aiken, Executive Director of Government Communication, giving it more weight as a profession and greater standing alongside areas such as legal affairs and human resources.
The proposals for the Government Communication Service will establish a new governance structure led by a Board chaired by the Minister for Cabinet Office. It will support government communicators to deliver policy priorities through development, delivery and evaluation of progress against the annual Government Communications Plan.
Alex has identified the application of professional standards as the catalyst for change in Government communications. His commitment to bring all communications up to the standard of the best and his focus on business planning, evaluation of communication and integration of digital communications is entirely to be welcomed. Articulating and enforcing professional standards is the way to ensure the future of public relations in any context. It must mean a continual focus on skills and professional development, accountability for professional conduct and a meaningful connection with the wider public interest. This is at the heart of the CIPR’s Royal Charter and we are very pleased to see it at the heart of Government Communication.
Notes to editors
About the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR)Founded in 1948, the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) is the Royal Chartered professional body for public relations practitioners in the UK and overseas. The CIPR is the largest membership organisation for PR practitioners outside of North America. By size of turnover and number of individually registered members, we are the leading representative body for the PR profession and industry in Europe.
The CIPR advances professionalism in public relations by making its members accountable to their employers and the public through a code of conduct and searchable public register, setting standards through training, qualifications, awards and the production of best practice and skills guidance, facilitating Continuing Professional Development (CPD), and awarding Chartered Public Relations Practitioner status (Chart.PR).