PR specialist takes presidential role

Founder and CEO of Birmingham-based PR, social media, content and digital agency spottydog communications, Rachel Roberts, has been elected as president of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR). 

Rachel was appointed after gaining a 56% share of the vote from CIPR members and will initially serve as president-elect in 2021, prior to president in 2022.

Her role serving the CIPR and the PR industry at a national level builds on the volunteering undertaken over the last seven years to champion the PR industry within the Midlands business and professional community. This has included serving as CIPR Midlands chair and vice-chair, as well as establishing the Midlands PR Conference in collaboration with PRCA Midlands chair Bron Eames.

Rachel said: “At a time when organisations and employees are facing an uncertain future, our professional bodies have never been more important.

"For organisations, I’m committed to supporting the work the CIPR does to showcase the role of PR as a strategic discipline to harness the power of effective communications. For PR professionals, recognition that the value professionally qualified consultants contribute to an organisation, as well as providing support to boost employability and job prospects is essential.”

Rachel will serve a three-year term of office on the CIPR Board of Directors until December 2023. In her first year she will serve first as president-elect, supporting the 2021 president Amanda Pearse Chart, before assuming the presidency for a year in 2022.

In her final year, Rachel will act a past president, once again taking a supporting role. Despite this commitment to the CIPR, Rachel will also continue at the helm heading up spottydog communications as CEO.

“In the current climate, running a business is challenging, so I understand the pressures that those working in our sector are facing. It’s critical both in my role on behalf of the CIPR and as part of the communications consultancy we provide to clients at spottydog communications that we can explain how strategic communications can fuel the future for organisations grappling with the impact of COVID-19."

Supporting the next generation of talent also featured within the manifesto Rachel presented to CIPR voting members as part of the election process.

“At spottydog, one of our key values is offering best of breed communications, delivered by great people, and I firmly believe in that. We’ve always invested in the great talent the region has to offer and we’re proud to support particularly young people taking their first career steps, helping grow and develop that talent into confident practitioners."