Simon Lewis and Jean Valin appointed Honorary Fellows
The Chief Executive of the Association for Financial Markets in Europe (AFME), Simon Lewis Hon FCIPR, and distinguished Canadian practitioner Jean Valin Hon FCIPR have been appointed as Honorary Fellows of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR).
The pair have been recognised for their exceptional contributions to public relations. They become the 25th and 26th PR practitioners to be appointed Honorary Fellows since the Institute's founding in 1948.
As a former Director of Communications and Official Spokesman for the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street, Simon Lewis Hon FCIPR has enjoyed a distinguished career in public relations including roles as Director of Corporate Affairs at NatWest, Centrica and Vodafone.
A CIPR member since 1992, he became President of the Institute in 1997, a year before being appointed as the first Communications Secretary to The Queen. In 2014, he was appointed OBE for public service and services to international education through the Fulbright Commission.
It is a privilege to be appointed an Honorary Fellow of the CIPR and to be recognised in this way by my professional body. Working in public relations has given me the opportunity to work at the highest level in some great companies and in Government and at Buckingham Palace. It has also been great preparation for the leadership roles I have taken on. I have been lucky to be part of an industry which has grown over the last 30 years into a global, highly relevant and respected business discipline.
As a founding member and former chair of the Global Alliance (GA), Jean Valin Hon FCIPR has earned a global reputation as a leading communications professional. He founded Valin Strategic Communications following a 30-year career in PR, in which he advised Canadian Government ministers on communication policy.
A Fellow of the Canadian Public Relations Society, Valin has played a pivotal role in raising professional standards of practice - most notably through the his contribution to the GA's Global Body of Knowledge.
Recognition for one's work by peers is for me, the ultimate compliment. To be recognized by a professional body outside of my own country is an acknowledgment that the work we did on the global body of knowledge, passes muster across cultures. I am very pleased to join this privileged group in the United Kingdom.
Honorary Fellowships are reserved for those who’ve demonstrated a truly exemplary commitment to public relations practice. Simon’s illustrious career has taken him to the very top of our profession, whilst Jean’s dedication to augmenting professional standards of practice on a global scale is an inspiration for us all. The Institute and indeed, the wider industry are indebted to them both for their outstanding achievements.
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).