CIPR Engage Podcast

In this episode of Engage, host Steve Bryant, Co-Chair of the CIPR Podcast Editorial Board, interviews speakers and attendees from the CIPR's 2025 Annual Conference - Leadership and Impact. Recorded backstage at the conference itself, the episode brings the substance of the day's mainstage sessions to listeners who couldn't be in the room, with each speaker reflecting on the insights they shared, the challenges they put to the audience, and how their thinking applies to the day-to-day realities of modern communications leadership. Featuring interviews with: 01:45 - James Peach, multi-award-winning global marketing leader behind Uber, Coca-Cola, Vinted, and Innocent, discusses how modern leadership must evolve to support intergenerational workforces and embrace the unknown. 08:06 - Lucy Holliday, Head of Internal Communications at the Financial Times, discusses the FT's award-winning AI transformation programme 10:15 - Josephine Hansom, who recently represented young people at the House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee, explores building empathy across generations and the shifting meaning of purpose at work. 14:54 - Naomi Goodman, MHP Group, explains how communicators can step into their role as change leaders and lead teams from chaos to calm. 19:35 - Sarah Naylor, Co-Chair of CIPR's Independent Practitioners Network, and Ben Veal, Founder of Second Mountain Comms, discuss the opportunities and ethical considerations of independent practice in the age of AI. 27:10 - Dr Jack Lewis, neuroscientist, addresses the impact of technology on the brain and why critical thinking remains the most important human skill. 36:03 - Karen Blackett CBE shares the foundations of effective leadership drawn from a 33-year career, and why empathy and adaptability matter more than ever. 39:27 - 2025 CIPR President Advita Patel, 2026 CIPR President Farzana Baduel, and 2026 CIPR President-Elect Dan Gerrella round off the episode with their reflections on the conference. Share your thoughts about the topics discussed in this episode on LinkedIn using #CIPREngage and tagging @CIPR_Global. If you're a member of the CIPR, you can log 5 CPD points for listening to this episode.

This conversation examines the pathways to director and non-executive director roles for PR professionals, the unique perspective communications experts bringing to board-level decision making, and practical advice for practitioners considering this career progression. Hosted by Ann-Marie Blake FCIPR, Co-Founder of True Comms, this episode investigates key aspects of board participation including the differences between trustee and non-executive director positions, how effective boards operate, managing time commitments, and overcoming imposter syndrome when transitioning to leadership roles. Joining Ann-Marie for this discussion are: · Noha Al Afifi MCIPR, CIPR Board member, Deputy Chief Executive of Arthritis Action · Stephen Waddington Found. Chart. PR, Hon FCIPR, Founder of Wadds Inc Share your thoughts on the topics discussed in this episode on LinkedIn, using #CIPREngage and tagging @CIPR_Global. If you're a member of the CIPR, you can log 5 CPD points for listening to this episode.

From missing flights to Novichok poisonings, in this episode of Engage crisis comms specialists Rod Cartwright and Sarah Thomas share their real-world experiences of navigating risk and preparing for crises with host, Charlotte West. Exploring the most common threats and opportunities facing organisational reputation today, Sarah and Rod also discuss the role of leadership and culture in a crisis, as well as the skills needed by comms and PR teams to future-proof the industry. Resources mentioned in this episode: Join the CIPR’s crisis comms network Guidance on drafting a Crisis communications plan Crisis communication on demand training Download or read a summary of the 2024 Reputation, Risk and Resilience report CIPR members can earn 5 CPD points for listening to an episode of Engage. Share your thoughts about this episode and your experiences on LinkedIn using #CIPREngage and tagging @CIPR_Global

In the fourth and final episode in the series celebrating the CIPR’s 75thanniversary, host Henry Heming interviews speakers and attendees at the Horizon conference focusing on the future of the profession. Featuring interviews (and timestamps) with: 00:44 - Sheeraz Gulsher, co-founder at People Like Us, discusses creative campaigns and practical tips on making PR more inclusive. 07:17 - Fatima Banglawala, comms and public affairs manager, MedTech UK and Ireland, Johnson and Johnson summarises some of the key takeaways from Jay Richards, co-founder at Imagen’s opening keynote on Gen Z. 09:37 - Trudy Lewis, founder at Colinear, shares her favourite takeaways from the conference’s morning sessions. 10:37 - Grace Fogarty, founder at Grace Fogarty Training, shares her simple, memorable tools for feeling more confident when networking and quickly developing meaningful connections. 15:23 - Subira Jones, also known as The Corporate Hippie, explains the difference between feeling rundown and being burned out. Taking listeners from powerless to empowered, explaining how PR and comms practitioners can fireproof theirs (and their colleagues) career. 21:14 - Diana Verde Nieto, co-founder at Positive Luxury, discuss how we can move towards being positively good when it comes to sustainability through the ‘reimagining model’. 27:27 - Alan Oram, director at Alive with Ideas, shares his reaction to Mark Shayler’s session. 27:53 - Mark Shayler, owner at Ape, makes the case for the role of innovative and disruptive thinking in challenging the status quo and bringing about sustainable societal change. 36:05 - Rachel Miller, founder at All Things IC, summarises her favourite session from the conference. 35:35 - Katie King, CEO at AI in Business, addresses the opportunities, challenges and ethical questions which are raised by increased integration of AI tools and platforms in PR workflows, project management and content creation. 42:05 - Son Pham, senior campaign manager at Manifest, captures the atmosphere at the conference and his personal highlight. 42:29 - Alex Partridge, founder of UNILAD and LADBible shares how the media landscape is changing, what the future holds for media, and why adaptability is your greatest strength. 46:22 - Advita Patel, 2025 CIPR president, shares her final thoughts from the conference. Share your thoughts about the topics discussed in this episode on LinkedIn or X, formerly Twitter, using #CIPREngage and tagging @CIPR_Global. If you're a member of the CIPR, you can log 5 CPD points for listening to this episode.

To what extent is there a War For Talent in PR and Communications? How can companies attract, develop and retain key people? What steps should employers take to ensure their onboarding processes are truly inclusive and encourage greater diversity? In this episode of Engage, host John Clegg, Internal Communications and Engagement Manager at HR Wallingford, considers these questions and explores the motives and concerns of communications professionals as they strive to build their careers. Joined by panellists: Christine Yuan, Senior Talent Acquisition Partner, BCW Toluwani Omotoye, Communications Coordinator, Global X ETFs The book John mentioned in this episode is Building a Culture of Inclusivity, Effective Internal Communication For Diversity, Equity and Inclusion by Priya Bates and Advita Patel, available from KoganPage and other book sellers. Share your thoughts about this episode and your experiences on X/Twitter or LinkedIn using #CIPREngage and tagging @CIPR_Global If you’re a member of the CIPR, you can log 5 CPD points for listening to this episode.

In conjunction with the CIPR’s 75th anniversary celebrations, this episode of Engage explores how the PR and communications industry has evolved in recent years and the challenges practitioners and teams are still grappling with. From social inclusion to diversity, and the impact of technology on the outcomes and skills needed to work in the sector, panellists reflect on their own experiences and discuss the strides made by the profession to date. Host Calhan Behrendt, Outstanding Young Communicator at the 2022 Cymru Wales PRide Awards and Account Manager at OnWrite, sits down with: Eva Maclaine, Founder at Maclaine Communications Maria Chanmugam, Director at Clevercoms Tony Bradley, CEO at publicrelationsconsultancy.com Share your thoughts about this episode and your experiences on Twitter or LinkedIn using #CIPREngage and tagging @CIPR_Global. Further resources: Find out whether you are eligible to #GetChartered and book your assessment. Iprovision has been making a meaningful difference to the lives of CIPR members who have fallen on tough times for more than 50 years. Learn more about the fund, here. Interested in upskilling or achieving a CIPR diploma? Find out more about the different qualifications available on our website and get #CIPRQualified. If you’re a member of the CIPR, you can also log 5 CPD points for listening to this episode.

Recorded live at the CIPR’s annual 2022 conference, this special episode of Engage hosted by Debbie West and Sara-Anne Mills-Bricknell from the CIPR’s Podcast Editorial Board, explores the key trends shaping the future of the industry. From how technology is changing the shape of public relations, the future mediascape, and the increasing importance of purpose, culture and employee relationships, guests share their thoughts on the conference's theme, 'Influencing the Future'. Featuring key takeaways from some of the conference’s contributors, as well as in-person and online attendees, including: Soli Townsend, Co-founder and Chief Solutionist, Futerra Ben Cohen, Head of Media and PR, Open Doors Nina Schick, Director, Tamang Ventures Peter Cardwell, Political Editor and Presenter Talk Radio Alicia Zubeir, Principal Writer, Petronas Dev Mistry, Global Internal Communications Manager at DICE Rachel Roberts, President, CIPR For more information: Check out upcoming events from the CIPR People Power and the IPCC report Share your thoughts about this episode on Twitter using #CIPREngage and tagging @CIPR_Global. Also, if you’re a member of the CIPR, don’t forget you can log 5 CPD points for listening to this episode.

Research has found that public trust in Government and in elected politicians is at an all-time low in England right now. With a number of scandals over the past few years in politics, it is more crucial than ever that public affairs professionals show that they are being ethical and transparent and are working to support the UK’s democratic policy-making process. Hosted by Max Sugarman, CIPR Public Affairs Group chair, this episode explores the current state of lobbying and the public affairs industry, as well as advice on how practitioners can be more transparent and open – demonstrating best practice in any future public affairs activity. Featuring panellists: Andy Sawford, former MP, representing Corby and now managing partner and co-owner of the Connect Group Peter Geoghegan, editor-in-chief at the award-winning news website openDemocracy and author of Sunday Times best-selling Democracy for Sale Rachael Clamp, Rachael is founder and director of Ardesey Ltd, a communications and engagement consultancy Further resources (as mentioned in the episode): 00:07 (and mentioned again at 25:40) - Carnegie UK, GDWe: A spotlight on democratic wellbeing research: https://www.carnegieuktrust.org.uk/publications/gdwe-a-spotlight-on-democratic-wellbeing/ 04:09 - The CIPR recently relaunched its UK Lobbying Register, the only free and universal register for public affairs professionals: https://newsroom.cipr.co.uk/cipr-relaunch-free-and-universal-lobbying-register/ 05:58 - Government’s Register of Consultant Lobbying (ORCL): https://registrarofconsultantlobbyists.org.uk/ 08:27 - Greensil lobbying scandal exposed by the Financial Times: https://www.ft.com/content/6ed619c0-bb9a-44dc-a2f6-c5596a958ca8 CIPR position on David Cameron’s lobbying activity: https://newsroom.cipr.co.uk/cipr-urges-investigation-into-cameron-lobbying-activity-to-include-review-into-regulations/ 21:55 - EU transparency register: https://ec.europa.eu/transparencyregister/public/homePage.do 25:59 - Report from the new Centre for the Future of Democracy at the University of Cambridge, Global Satisfaction with Democracy: https://www.cam.ac.uk/stories/dissatisfactiondemocracy Additional information: Public Affairs (specialist) diploma: https://cipr.co.uk/CIPR/Learn_Develop/Qualifications/Specialist_Diploma__Public_Affairs.aspx CIPR Code of Conduct: https://cipr.co.uk/CIPR/About_Us/Governance_/CIPR_Code_of_Conduct.aspx

The entire world has been changed by the Coronavirus pandemic and as communicators, we've seen boards come forward and ask for interventions and advice in ways that have never happened before. Whilst there’s been a lot of work undertaken both by the Chartered Institute Public Relations and by other professional bodies to ensure that communications is seen as a strategic management discipline; now more than ever, we have an opportunity to ensure that the professionalism of communications is understood as a vital part of the success for all organisations, large, small, independently owned, nationally operated, government, private, public, and everything in between. In this episode, host Sarah Pinch and guests Alex Aiken, Executive Director for Government Communications and James Powell, Head of Group Communications at Irwin Mitchell explore what it means to be a strategic communicator, to be a professional, and how communicators are elevating and repositioning themselves. For more information: - OASIS model: https://gcs.civilservice.gov.uk/guidance/marketing/delivering-government-campaigns/guide-to-campaign-planning-oasis/ - Getting Chartered: https://cipr.co.uk/CIPR/Learn_Develop/Chartership_.aspx Don’t forget you can log 5 CPD points for listening to this podcast.

The pandemic has provided an opportunity to explore how we can work differently. The post-COVID world is a very different landscape for a lot of businesses, with many proposing to adopt a hybrid working model, as opposed to go back to the office full time. Guests Sofia Cann, Martin Flegg and Kate Shaw share their views and experience with our host, Jenni Field. They explore the opportunities and benefits for PR and comms practitioners of implementing a flexible hybrid working approach.

Diversity is about far more than just ticking boxes and as the recently published CIPR State of the Profession report shows, there is still much more for the sector to do to better reflect the society that it communicates with.