Lord Black honoured at Fellows Lunch
The Lord Black of Brentwood has been awarded Honorary Fellowship of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) at the 2016 Fellows Lunch for his outstanding contribution to public relations.
Lord Black Hon FCIPR received the CIPR's highest honour in front of more than sixty Fellows at the Institute's annual Lunch at the House of Lords. Attendees enjoyed drinks in the Westminster sunshine on the Cholmondeley Terrace before the lunch, which preceded Lord Black's Award.
Black has enjoyed a distinguished career in public affairs and media, spanning over twenty-five years. His early career was spent as a Special Advisor to former Energy Secretary John Wakeham and across public affairs roles for Westminster Strategy and Lowe Bell Good Relations. In 1996, he returned to work for Lord Wakeham as Director of the Press Complaints Commission, during which time he was responsible for tightening the Code of Practice in the wake of the death in 1997 of Diana, Princess of Wales.
In 2003, Black became Director of Communications for the Conservative Party and Press Secretary to Michael Howard. After the 2005 election he joined the Telegraph Media Group as Executive Director and in 2010, he was created a Conservative Life Peer, taking the title Baron Black of Brentwood, of Brentwood in the County of Essex.
Honorary Fellowships are the CIPR's very highest honour, reserved for those who’ve demonstrated outstanding commitment to public relations. Lord Black has made an unprecendented impact on the public affairs industry and it was an honour to recognise his achievements on a fantastic afternoon at the Fellows Lunch.
I am deeply honoured to have been made an Honorary Fellow of the CIPR. The Institute plays such a vital role in our industry and I am delighted to do what I can to continue supporting its important work.
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).