Chair's 2026 AGM Report
It is a pleasure to present my second annual report as Chair. It has been a full year, with much to celebrate, some challenges and valuable learning along the way.
In my January message, From Connection to Co-Creation, I spoke about involving more members in shaping our activities, sharing experiences and contributing to conversations that matter to our profession. I am pleased with the progress we have made.
It has also been a demanding year. Growing expectations, competing commitments and a period without a Secretary have stretched our capacity. Geopolitical tensions and environmental events have also affected communities where our members live and work, sometimes raising concerns for their safety and wellbeing. The care shown by colleagues checking in on one another has reminded us that CIPR International is a community in every sense.
Membership and Governance
As at 28 October 2026, CIPR International has 983 members, including 168 new members since 1 January.
Our diversity remains one of our greatest strengths, bringing together different experiences, perspectives and ways of working across international markets.
Our committee continues to benefit from practitioners across the world, supported by our officers and Special Advisors, Professor Anne Gregory, Eva Maclaine Chart.PR, Hon FCIPR and Samantha Seewoosurrun Chart.PR, FCIPR. We have maintained close engagement with CIPR HQ on international representation, member experience and professional standards. I have also served on the CIPR Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, representing our Group's EDI Champions, and contributed to the NES reaccreditation engagement.
Within our committee, the year has reinforced the importance of sharing responsibilities, strengthening continuity and being realistic about our capacity. This remains a priority.
Events, Engagement and Professional Development
We opened the year with Communicating Climate Change: Are Messages Falling on Deaf Ears?, followed by From Stereotypes to Strategy, exploring cultural understanding and strategic communication.
A highlight was the return of our Maggie Nally Memorial Lecture on 9 September, delivered by Dr Rochelle L. Ford APR, Chief Executive Officer of the Page Society, on Communication Leadership Through Turmoil. It was a timely discussion and a fitting continuation of Maggie Nally's legacy.
We also welcomed activity through our international networks, including the CIPR Mauritius Network's collaboration with Milestones Motor Museum in February.
I have been especially pleased with the growth of our blog, with more contributors and diverse perspectives covering artificial intelligence, cultural intelligence, trusted counsel, public health communication and PR across different markets. We welcomed further Letters From contributions, sharing experiences from members around the world.
Stephen Smith contributed Beyond Membership, reflecting on professional volunteerism, and participated in an HQ webinar on the subject. We also celebrated his completion of a PhD this year.
Another exciting development was our Student Editorial Hub, with early contributions exploring the future of PR and the UAE's soft power strategy. It is encouraging to see younger voices joining these conversations.
We have also begun work towards a broader website overhaul to improve the member experience.
Research and Member Engagement
We were pleased to contribute to Impact Beyond Borders: Expanding Global Access for Young African Communicators, research by Adedoyin Jaiyesimi supported by the CIPR Research Fund.
Drawing on over 200 respondents across 11 African countries, the study explored barriers to international professional development, particularly accessibility and affordability.
We also revived our Member Survey, extending the participation period to encourage responses. I encourage members who have not yet participated to do so, as the findings will inform our priorities.
Financial Report
Our Treasurer, Stuart Graham, has continued to oversee the Group's financial affairs, and I thank him for his work.
Profit & Loss | £ |
Event income | – |
Direct costs | – |
Admin costs | 166 |
VAT | – |
Surplus or deficit before CIPR HQ funding | 166 |
CIPR HQ funding | 1,000 |
Surplus or deficit after CIPR HQ funding | 1,166 |
Reserves | £ |
Reserves at the start of 2026 | 7,892 |
Reserves at the end of 2026 | 8,726 |
Reserves increase | 834 |
Recognition and Achievements
We have had some wonderful achievements to celebrate this year.
Samantha Seewoosurrun Chart.PR, FCIPR received the 2026 Sir Stephen T
allents' Medal, recognising her outstanding service to the profession, including three years as Chair of CIPR International.
Eva Maclaine, Chart.PR, Hon FCIPR was awarded an Honorary Fellowship for her longstanding contribution to professional standards, ethical practice and international public relations.
Both have given enormously to CIPR International, and we continue to benefit from their guidance as Special Advisors. These are richly deserved honours.
This year's Volunteer Recognition Awards also recognised:
Nishika Bhajaj – Leading Best Practice Development Champions
Anjali Patil – Diverse and Collaborative Community Champions
Samantha Seewoosurrun Chart.PR, FCIPR – Outstanding Long Service Champions
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, our priorities include building on our editorial growth, developing the Student Editorial Hub, completing the Member Survey and progressing our website improvements. Equally important is strengthening how we work as a committee, ensuring volunteering remains meaningful and manageable.
As I conclude my second year as Chair, my sincere thanks go to our committee members, officers, Special Advisors, volunteers and members for their time, ideas and support. Every contribution represents time generously given alongside professional and personal commitments, and I do not take that for granted. I am equally grateful to CIPR HQ for their continued partnership.
We may not have achieved everything we set out to do, but we have made meaningful progress, and I am proud of what we have accomplished together.
We began the year talking about moving from connection to co-creation. At the heart of that ambition is something we have long believed in: global insight, local understanding and better communication.
It is what makes our international community so valuable, and what I hope we continue building on in the year ahead.
Thank you.
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