CIPR-supported Xec. Leadership Scheme class of 2024 revealed
Seven communication professionals have been selected to go through The Xec. Leadership Scheme developed by BME PR Pros, supported by Google UK and delivered in partnership with the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) and PRovoke Media.
The leadership scheme for UK-based Black, Asian, Mixed Race and Ethnic Minority (BME) PR and comms pros is the first of its kind, and entered its third year in September.
The seven candidates, who secured a place following a rigorous application and interview process, are:
- Priscillia Chun, Campaign Director, Diffusion PR
- Sim Devgun, Senior Account Manager, Tin Man
- Myriam Khan, Head of External Communications, UK, Thales Transport
- Arun Lloyd, Associate Director, Hope&Glory
- Mammy Maguire, Head of Student Communications & Social Media, Manchester Metropolitan University
- Lolade Nwanze, Senior Account Manager, Wimbart
- Anita Rathod, Communications & Engagement Lead, Rolls-Royce
Bold and ambitious, The Xec. aims to create the next generation of BME leaders and to increase boardroom diversity client and agency-side.
A warm welcome and many congratulations to the new candidates on this year’s Xec. Leadership programme. We know what a unique, positive, and rewarding experience the programme provides and the CIPR is very proud to play our part in supporting your journey. We look forward to meeting and working with you all.
Two years in and we now know The Xec., the first leadership scheme for UK-based Black, Asian, Mixed Race, and Ethnic Minority PR and comms pros, has an overwhelmingly positive impact on the professional lives of those who complete it. It is a tough course aimed at creating future leaders we believe will change comms, smash ceilings for them and others, and change our industry for the better. Our third cohort is an incredible group I believe are destined for great things and I cannot wait to see how they grow and what they will achieve in coming years. Once again, I am grateful to our generous partners Google UK, PRovoke Media, and the CIPR for making it possible for The Xec. to exist and to exist as a free course for candidates. And, along with our tutors, presenters, and mentors, I cannot thank them enough for rooting for talented BME PR and comms pros to get the careers they deserve.
Launched in March 2021, and now in its third year, The Xec. leadership scheme is a 10-month long course encompassing training days (including with the PRovoke Media team and a special Google Day), masterclasses and ‘My Career’ talks all delivered by a diverse range of industry leaders including award-winning creatives, comms directors and agency owners from organisations including Google UK, The Guardian, Blurred, Diffusion PR, Fanclub PR and Manifest and Hope&Glory PR.
Aside from the masterclasses, talks and training days, The Xec. course participants will have the unique opportunity to curate and present a special PRovoke Media event to be broadcast in June 2024.
The Class of 2024 will:
- Be allocated a BME PR Pros mentor for six months
- Create and host a podcast series
- Be invited to judge a CIPR award
- Receive complimentary CIPR membership for 12 months
Profile interviews with the cohort are available on bmeprpros.co.uk.
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 10,000 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).