Chair's Report by Taazima Kala, FCIPR

Presented at the CIPR International Annual General Meeting, 30 October 2025.

I am pleased to share with you a report from my seat as Chair of this committee for the year.

It has been a year of purposeful growth, collaboration, and visible progress across our global community. Working together, we have strengthened our reach, deepened engagement, and continued to advance international standards of professionalism in public relations.

It has also been a year of wins and challenges, all of which we have navigated with the support of an incredible committee of volunteers, and all to varying degrees of progress.

Strengthening Our Committee

The current committee comprises myself as Chair, Saad Al-Rubaian (Vice-Chair), Stuart Graham (Treasurer), and Nishika Bajaj (Secretary). We continue to collaborate closely with Special Advisors Professor Anne Gregory, Eva Maclaine and Samantha Seewoosurrun, whose strategic counsel and continuity have been invaluable.

Samantha also serves as our bridge to Council, having been elected to the Council earlier this year, while Anjali Patil serves as our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Champion.

Our 26-member committee spans Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the Americas — a reflection of global practice. CIPR International now supports 997 members, welcoming 129 new colleagues this year.

Recognising Member Achievements

This year our members achieved outstanding professional recognition, from volunteer leadership to global awards.

Highlights include Samantha Seewoosurrun’s election to Council; Professor Emeritus Anne Gregory’s Honorary Doctorate in Rome; Saad Al-Rubaian’s CIPR Volunteer Award; and Thanzyl Thajuddeen’s attainment of both Chartered and Fellow status. Jared Meade was named Outstanding Freelancer at the Davos Communications Awards, and I was honoured with the PRO PR Globe People Achievement Award and Fellow status.

These achievements showcase the professionalism and leadership of our global community.

Events and Publications

Our events this year combined global perspective with practical insight.

We hosted two major webinars – Breaking Barriers: The Power of Intercultural Dialogue and Ethics in Social Marketing – as well as today’s first webinar in a two-part series on Combatting Misinformation.

Eva Maclaine and Samantha Seewoosurrun represented us at the Annual Fellows’ Lunch and met with CIPR President-Elect Farzana Baduel to strengthen links with the Institute.

Our blog continues to feature global contributions, including “Yes to PR” spotlights that reinforce CIPR International as a hub for cross-border learning and thought leadership.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Leadership and Governance

We continue to maintain close alignment with CIPR HQ on governance and membership experience, ensuring international voices are heard in Institute-wide decisions.

Our commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion has been recognised through National Inclusion Week and features in CIPR Influence, promoting inclusive leadership across our activities.

Financial update

I am pleased to note that we maintained a stable financial position over the reporting period from 1 January to 31 December 2025.

We are set to close the year with a surplus of £7,991, which includes £1,000 in funding from CIPR HQ.

Administrative costs remained minimal at £227, with no direct event or VAT expenses incurred. This brings total reserves to £7,991 at year-end. This healthy position ensures that we remain well-placed to support future initiatives and engagement activities.

Looking ahead

Priorities for 2026 include:

●      advancing work on AI and misinformation

●      delivering the Maggie Nally Memorial Lecture

●      enhancing the international member experience through greater accessibility and inclusion

●      conducting an International Members’ Survey in early 2026

●      championing youth representation in regions where cost limits access

Closing

The progress this year reflects the dedication of every committee member and volunteer - for which are deeply grateful.

This foundation sets the tone for even stronger growth for the 2026 committee. I thank those retiring this year and congratulate those continuing.

CIPR International remains committed to connecting practitioners and upholding the highest standards of ethical and effective communication worldwide.

And, finally, I am pleased to share that the following Committee Members have been elected at the AGM to serve on the 2026 CIPR International Committee: