CIPR Inside members elect James Harkness as Group Chair
The CIPR Inside Group has announced that James Harkness will be Group Chair in 2013/14. The specialist group for internal communicators has over 700 members and is currently the 'CIPR Sectoral Group of the Year.' James will replace Kevin Ruck as Chair and will lead the Group and Committee over the next year.
James was voted in as Chair at the Group’s AGM held at The Montcalm, London. Attended by internal communications professionals from the private, public and voluntary sectors, the AGM also saw the election of a 13-strong committee charged with leading the Institute in the internal communications sector.
I’m delighted and honoured to take on the role of the Chair and to have such an experienced and motivated Committee that truly reflects our membership. It will be an exciting year, building upon the wonderful work headed by Kevin Ruck and his Committee. They achieved so much, not least the 49% increase in conference attendance and the brand new #insidestory awards which have taken the industry by storm. From my experience, I know that internal communication has never been more important to organisations. I believe that CIPR Inside can be a real voice for our profession in championing internal communication and the value it can deliver.
Congratulations to James on his election, he will be an excellent Chair and leader of the group. We’ve had a very successful 2012, with increased attendance at the conference, a great programme of small events and launching the very successful #insidestory awards. James and the new committee will bring energy and fresh ideas to build upon last year, and I will act in an advisory role to support the new team.”
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).