London,
06
September
2019
|
09:30
Europe/London

PR professionals 'an early warning system' for businesses facing ethical collapse

CIPR President addresses Good Governance Institute

CIPR President Emma Leech Found.Chart.PR, FCIPR urged businesses to put public relations at the heart of strategic decision making at an exclusive event hosted by the Good Governance Institute in London yesterday.

The President addressed an audience of 50 senior practitioners at the prestigious One Great George Street, ahead of a panel discussion exploring how public relations can support governance by strengthening relationships and challenging leadership. 

Citing ethical collapses at Oxfam, Kidscape and Halifax Bank of Scotland, the President evidenced the need for businesses to prioritise public relations' role in corporate governance.

Extract from speech by Emma Leech Found.Chart.PR FCIPR, CIPR President
When it comes to dealing with problems, which can arise within an organisation or externally, PR professionals have skills sets that range from issues management, crisis response communications, internal communication and stakeholder management.

A highly skilled public relations professional is an early warning system and critical element in the handling of any issues. They should be at the heart of strategy but they must also be a source of challenge within senior management.
Extract from speech by Emma Leech Found.Chart.PR FCIPR, CIPR President

The ensuing panel discussion - chaired by Rachel Royall Chart.PR, MCIPR - featured Paul Mylrea Found.Chart.PR, FCIPR, University of Cambridge, Sarah Atkinson MCIPR, Charity Commission and the Chief Executive of the Good Governance Institute, Andrew Corbett-Nolan.

The discussion outlined the PR's unique ability to build trusting relationships with key stakeholders and support the delivery of organisational objectives. The discussion also spotlighted PR practitioners' ability to bring in the outside world, using insight and context to challenge decision-making and organisational culture.

 
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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).