PRCA announces new Chair and members of the Public Affairs Board

The Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) is delighted to announce the appointment of Emily Fermor as the new Chair of the Public Affairs Professional Board (PAB). Alongside Emily, the PAB welcomes a distinguished group of professionals who will work collaboratively to raise standards and best practices within the public affairs industry.

The role of the Public Affairs Professional Board is to define and promote best practices in the industry. The Board will inform PRCA's education and development activities, advocate for high standards as outlined in various Codes of Conduct and work closely with the PRCA staff secretariat to develop and implement the PAB work programme.

The newly formed Public Affairs Board will develop an ambitious work programme that includes promoting industry standards, highlighting the value of public affairs, and advocating for diversity and inclusion in the industry.

Newly appointed members of the PRCA Public Affairs Board:

• Emily Fermor, PAB Chair and Partner at Hanbury Strategy
• Tosin Adedayo, Senior Director, Public Affairs at FTI Consulting
• Rose-of-Sharon Brade, Senior Account Director at WA Communications
• Lena Brandesova, Account Manager at Grayling
• Ben Collins, Director at Chambré
• Leon Cook, Founder at Atticus Partners
• Rob Dale, Founder at Beyond2050
• Jessica Daniels-Roberts, Head of Public Affairs & Associate Director at Hanover Communications
• Emma Divers, Associate Director, Head of Scotland at PLMR
• Tom Doughty, Associate Director at PLMR
• Miles Evans, Head of External Affairs, Open Reach
• Paul Gerrard, Campaigns, Public Affairs & Board Secretariat Director at the Co-op Group
• Francis Mallinson, Associate Partner at DGA Group
• Mark MacGregor, Managing Director, Public Affairs UK at Penta Group
• Kelly McVeigh, Head of Corporate Affairs at Open Strategic Communications
• Harry Methley, Senior Counsel of Connect Group
• Chris Rogers, Client Operations Director at iNHouse Communications
• John Rowland, Senior Partner at H/Advisors Cicero
• Sabine Tyldesley, Associate Member of PRCA

Emily Fermor, PAB Chair said:

“It seems fitting that the new Public Affairs Professional Board be confirmed in the middle of this snap general election campaign!

“The appointment of the new board marks the end-point of the governance reform restructure at the PRCA, and the beginning of a big year for the organisation - and for politics.

“I am excited to be chairing the new professional board at this important juncture, and recognise the scale of the job in the year ahead.

“We have ambitious plans to promote best practice, challenge bad behaviour, and set the industry up for success under a new government.

“But we can’t do this without the input of members. It is they who understand our industry best, and there is much untapped potential and creativity.

“In return, I can promise to listen, to consult and to communicate. In doing so I hope to achieve two major aims: to ensure there is a considered, authoritative voice contributing to the public debate on lobbying and that PRCA is meeting its members’ needs.”