The PRCA steps up its commitment to the LGBTQ+ Community with relaunched Network

The Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) has relaunched its LGBTQ+ Network with a mission to help the PR and communications industry ‘show up’ for the LGBTQ+ community as colleagues and consultants.

With a long-standing commitment to inclusivity, the PRCA announced its LGBTQ+ group two and a half years ago working in partnership with YouGov. Since then, the group has hosted on and offline events, worked with YouGov to conduct cross-industry research into whether individuals’ gender or sexual identity impacts how they’re treated at work and run a series of blogs on LGBTQ+ role models in PR and communications.

Looking to 2022 and beyond, the group has reformed as a network and taken on a series of experienced volunteers who together aim to increase the PRCA’s positive impact on the industry and inclusivity. With the UK government appointing PR and communications expert Iain Anderson to the role of LGBT Business Champion in September last year, and with a record number of new PR agencies set up in the last two years, there is a clear mandate for action in the PRCA’s home market. The LGBTQ+ Network wants to build on this momentum and roll out an ambitious plan for progress working closely with the PRCA’s international member network.

This plan includes creating a central pool of resources and educational materials to support industry efforts, hosting insightful, relevant and accessible events, acting as a spokesperson on emerging LGBTQ+ matters and releasing a 2022 series of its popular Role Models blogs which in 2021 featured Iain Dale, Chloe Davies, Stephanie Fuller, Rich Miles, Tea Uglow and Hazel Southwell. The hope is that through their work, organisations of all sizes will be able to access the resources and information they need to both create campaigns that positively impact LGBTQ+ representation and be truly inclusive workplaces.

The LGBTQ+ Network is led by Senior Associate Director at Hill+Knowlton Strategies, Emma Franklin-Wright and Founder of Good Vibes Only Talent, Katie Traxton.

PRCA LGBTQ+ Network Co-Chair Emma Franklin-Wright CMPRCA said:

“As communications professionals we can have so much influence on the public narratives around LGBTQ+ people. At a time when we are increasingly under attack from the media it is so important for us to give as many people in our industry as possible the tools to create positive representation in our work, and to give agency leaders the resources to create inclusive workplaces. Having a refreshed network to deliver on those goals is vital and having so many new volunteers coming together to deliver this important work is truly energising.”

PRCA LGBTQ+ Network Co-Chair Katie Traxton CMPRCA said:

“Having the backing of the PRCA to relaunch the group means a lot. Over the last two and half years, we’ve learnt about the ongoing challenges of equality, opportunity and representation that the LGBTQ+ community still face both in workplaces and the work we do. Now it’s time for us to invest our energy in catalysing real change. We know that progress is likely to be gradual, but we have a great group of people working with us and we want PRCA members to get involved, share their thoughts, and ultimately join us on our mission. The more of us who work together, both members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies, the more impact we will make.”

PRCA LGBTQ+ Network committee members:

Gian Marco Candolo (Senior Account Executive, Cicero)
Nina Eadie (Head of Lifestyle PR, Keko London)
Stephanie Ensten (Partner Manager, Mercedes EQ Formula E Team)
Sinead McGeever (Account Director, FleishmanHillard)
Will Richardson (Associate Director, TEAM LEWIS)
Lex Rosenthal (Account Manager, TALA)
Michela Siuni (Marketing and Communications Manager, I.G. Advisors)
Myles Storey (Campaigns Manager – Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability, O2)
Jonathan Sullivan (Account Executive, Brazil)
James Treacy (Senior PR and Communications Manager, Abercrombie & Kent)
Josh Wheeler (Broadcast PR Specialist)

For more information about the Network, please contact LGBTQ@prca.org.uk.