The Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) announces that Rob Colmer (chair) and Claire Williamson (vice chair) will lead the PR and Communications Council in 2022.

Rob becomes chair after serving as vice-chair last year, while Claire’s appointment follows an election process among Council members. 
 
Rob brings extensive public relations experience from working both in-house and in consultancy, in the private and public sector, at an SME and in a multinational company. Most recently he has been working at Shell, responsible for global sustainability communications and reporting. 
 
As co-managing director of Resonance, Claire has more than 15 years of PR and marketing experience, working with start-ups to multi-national organisations across the technology, professional services, and financial industries. She is also the PRCA Analyst Relations Group chair. Previously, Claire was the EMEA communications manager for a blue-chip company, leading its influencer relations.

The PR and Communications Council provides a formal mechanism for the PRCA executive leadership to consult with the industry's most senior practitioners on the issues PR and communications faces. The PRCA Council also informs the PRCA’s strategic priorities and serves as the think-tank for the PR industry.
 
The Council’s key priorities this year include continuing to build on its Small Business programme, driving up industry standards, showcasing the power of PR, supporting the industry’s mental health and wellbeing, and exploring new ways to help agencies and in-house teams attract and retain talent.
 
Colmer says, "I'm excited to take on this challenge. We have a great team on the PRCA Council with every part of the PR industry represented. Public Relations continues to be a fast growing and innovative discipline with effective communications ever more important, in all areas of society. With the UK PR industry contributing over £16 billion to the economy and around 100,000 public relations practitioners, as we bounce back from the pandemic we aim to make progress in key areas this year, to strengthen the industry for the long term."

Williamson says, “I am delighted to be supporting Rob and the PRCA’s council this year in the role of vice-chair. The PRCA is doing important work in setting the standards and supporting the future of the profession. There are some excellent initiatives being driven by the Council in 2022, including the continuation of the Power of PR campaign highlighting innovation and the value of PR, talent attraction and work on the future skills required to succeed and a review of the client-consultancy charter. The PR profession has a great future and it’s an honour to be working with the council’s talented team of PR and communications professionals.”