CIPR honours international service and academic rigour with the Sir Stephen Tallents' and President's Medals
The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) is pleased to announce it has awarded its 2026 President’s Medal and Sir Stephen Tallents’ Medal to Rupert Younger and Samantha Seewoosurrun, respectively.
The two medals are among the Institute’s highest honours, recognising exceptional achievement in PR practice and contribution made to the profession’s wider development.
President’s Medal - Rupert Younger
The 2026 President's Medal is awarded to Rupert Younger, Director of the Oxford University Centre for Corporate Reputation and Senior Research Fellow and Tutor in Management at Worcester College, Oxford. By establishing the Centre, Rupert has played an important role in bringing the study of public relations into the University, with work spanning research, insight, and executive education including Oxford’s globally recognised Corporate Affairs Academy. In awarding the medal, Farzana cited the standard of that academic work and her belief in the value of intellectual rigour to the profession's development.
Sir Stephen Tallents’ Medal - Samantha Seewoosurrun
The 2026 Sir Stephen Tallents' Medal is awarded to Samantha Seewoosurrun Chart.PR, FCIPR, Founder and Managing Director of the PR and publishing agency Perpetual Motion. A Chartered Practitioner, CIPR Fellow and Council Member, Samantha founded the CIPR's International Network in Mauritius in 2019 and went on to chair the Institute's International Group from 2021 to 2024. She has served on the CIPR's Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, been a judge for the CIPR Excellence Awards, and now sits on the Institute's Audit & Risk Committee while co-chairing the Council Working Group on Making the Case for Public Relations. She received the CIPR Volunteer Recognition Awards for Outstanding Long Service in 2024 and 2026. In awarding the medal, President Farzana Baduel recognised Samantha's sustained commitment to the Institute and her work to build and uphold its presence in Mauritius.
This year's medals honour two very different contributions to public relations, both of which we value enormously. Rupert has played an important role in bringing public relations into Oxford by establishing the Oxford University Centre for Corporate Reputation, and his work across research, insight, and executive education is delivered to the highest academic standards. Recognising him reflects my strong belief in the importance of academia and intellectual rigour to the development of our profession.
Samantha has demonstrated a sustained commitment to the CIPR over many years and has worked to develop its presence in Mauritius. Samantha has continued to support the Institute and uphold its standing in an overseas market to ensure international members feel connected to the community.
Receiving the CIPR Presidential Medal 2026 is a tremendous honour. Public relations operates at its best when it does more than communicate. Its power lies when it is constructed strategically by leadership teams in order to create meaningful alignment between a business and its key stakeholders. The practices and tools of the profession continue to evolve fast, but that fundamental purpose has stayed intact. My work at Oxford builds on my experience co-founding FGS Global – from the research into how social evaluations shape, and are shaped by leaders to the engagement with corporate affairs leaders through our Corporate Affairs Academy which this year celebrates its fifteenth birthday. I feel privileged to be able to study – and to play a part in developing new insights – into a profession that is filled with such talented people. Thank you CIPR – to be recognised by a profession that I admire is wonderful.
It is an incredible honour and a true privilege to receive the Sir Stephen Tallents' Medal for exceptional achievement in PR practice. As PR professionals, we carry the pioneering spirit of Sir Stephen, as our founding President, and his career path led him to navigate challenges at both national and international levels. I believe that CIPR's global community is one of its greatest strengths, where I am proud to be recognised for my contribution. At a time of transformational change for our industry, CIPR presents a unique opportunity for international professionals to update their knowledge, sharpen their skills and achieve Chartered Practitioner status to demonstrate their expertise, ethics and value on their local markets, while also bringing fresh ideas and perspectives to enrich the Institute and its discussions. I would like to dedicate this medal to the outstanding professionals from CIPR International and to sincerely thank all my CIPR colleagues who have supported me on my journey.
About the Chartered Institute of Public Relations
Founded in 1948, the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) is the world's only Royal Chartered professional body for public relations practitioners with over 11,000 members.
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).