Leadership & Impact draws over 300 delegates to the Minster building to explore PR in the contemporary landscape
Over 300 public relations and communications professionals gathered in-person and online at the Minster Building in London on Thursday for the Chartered Institute of Public Relations' (CIPR) annual conference exploring how the profession is redefining leadership in the modern business landscape.
Sponsored by Agility PR Solutions, PA mediapoint, Cision, and Specialist Speakers, the ‘Leadership and Impact’ conference featured insights from business leaders and experts on a range of subjects.
James Peach (Business leader in tech, retail and FMCG) explored the essence of modern leadership, detailing the four key challenges modern leaders must overcome to lead in a world that “will change more in the next 10, than in the previous 100”. Priya Lakhani OBE (Founder and CEO of Century Tech) took to stage to lift the hood on AI and explain why businesses must develop a better understanding of this rapidly evolving technology.
Josephine Hansom (Gen Z insight and strategy, MRS Board Member & Fellow) discussed the intergenerational workplace challenges leaders face and asked “how we work together when the rules keep changing?”, concluding learning on the job no longer an option, but “the most valuable skill you’ll have today”. Naomi Goodman (Head of Change and Employee Engagement at the MHP Group) explored the three faces of the game of change, defining change as “no longer an occasional challenge [but] the constant backdrop of modern business” despite most employees doubting change initiatives when they are introduced.
Kira Matthews (Mindset and Confidence coach) confronted what confidence means in a world that’s moving faster and demanding more than ever before with a bold, fresh take on self-assurance that was packed with insights to help professionals tackle their inner critic and embrace failure. Dr Jack Lewis (Neuroscientist, TV Presenter, Author) brought cutting edge neuroscience to life, revealing how understanding the power of surprise and the brain’s decision-making processes can change how you build your brain. The event concluded with Karen Blackett CBE (Former WPP UK President) sharing her reflections on the recipe for successful leadership and the importance of authenticity, empathy, and the ability to motivate diverse teams as essential ingredients that make leadership both effective and human.
It was a real pleasure to chair this year's Leadership and Impact event and witness our profession come together with such vibrance and purpose. The quality of conversations throughout the day - from modern leadership and neuroplasticity to AI's ethical implications - demonstrated just how seriously our sector is taking its responsibility to lead with integrity. What struck me most was the constant theme to move beyond rhetoric and into genuine action. Leadership isn’t a title we inherit, it’s a behaviour that we have to practice day in and day out. This event shone a light on what being a modern leader looks like. It was such a fantastic opportunity for the profession to gather, listen, and discover the tools, techniques, and skills to creating more resilient and forward-thinking organisations.
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).