London,
13
November
2020
|
08:19
Europe/London

Mike Beard FCIPR

The CIPR is sad to learn of the passing of Mike Beard FCIPR, former President of the Institute of Public Relations (IPR) and Chairman of the International Committee.

Mike spent the first 12 years of his career as a political organiser and publicist with the Conservative Party. He entered public relations in 1973 with British Leyland, then went overseas to Singapore to join leading international public affairs company Burson Marsteller as their MD. In 1995 he was awarded a European PR Confederation prize for his contribution to the development of PR.

Returning to the UK, Mike joined Taylor Woodrow plc as their Director of Communication, before being headhunted to join George Simpson’s ‘top ten’ management team at Lucas Industries. He then joined Valpak Ltd and Wastelink Group before working independently as corporate affairs and marketing consultant until his retirement.

In 1997 Mike published 'Running a Public Relations Department' as part of Kogan Page's PR in Practice series with the IPR. A second edition was issued in 2001 and is still in print today.

Our thoughts are with his daughter Katie, family, friends, and former colleagues at this difficult time.