CIPR supports the government's £30m Growth Vouchers programme
The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) has today announced it is working in partnership with the Enterprise Nation Marketplace, part of the government's £30m Growth Vouchers programme.
CIPR members can register on the Marketplace as business advice suppliers offering their expert guidance and support to small business owners on public relations, marketing, and attracting and keeping customers, as well as advice on how they can make the most of digital and social technologies.
The Growth Vouchers programme, announced as part of the 2013 budget and initially rolled out in January 2014, will distribute vouchers to around 20,000 small businesses in England, focusing on small businesses who have never sought business advice before. The programme will research and assess the best methods to advise small businesses, helping them find strategic advice from members of a range of professional bodies who can help their business to grow.
As well as the CIPR, other professional bodies recognised as satisfying the criteria for growth voucher advisors include the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Chartered Institute for IT (BCS), Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).
Public relations has a critical role in supporting the growth of early stage businesses through traditional and social forms of media, and other forms of stakeholder engagement. The Growth Voucher programme is a great opportunity for UK businesses to connect with credible and accountable public relations professionals through the CIPR. It is also an excellent opportunity for CIPR freelance and agency members to attract new clients.
CIPR members are able to register as business advice suppliers on the Enterprise Nation Marketplace website by selecting the ‘marketing and customer service’ portal.
CIPR members based outside England are eligible to register as Growth Voucher Advisors but must be aware that this programme only currently entitles businesses registered in England to apply as the recipient of vouchers.
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).