Three years ago the Chartered Institute of Public Relations recorded a loss of more than £500,000 following one very scandalous Greek landlord and a forced move from St James’s Square. At that time, current CEO Jane Wilson was brought in to, among other things, reestablish the Institute on sustainable financial grounds.

In 2010, Wilson signed on for three years of service as she felt that would be the timeframe in which she would be most effective. Today she announced her impending resignation after those three years have been completed in September. Wilson will likely be returning to work in the private sector.

“I came to the CIPR from a commercial background and always intended to return to a professional public relations role after three years,” she says. “It’s still a big decision to go, but I am proud that across many areas, we have an Institute that is stronger than when I took up the post.”

Throughout Wilson’s time with the CIPR, it has overhauled its membership rates and worked to become more accessible to students and practitioners alike. The Diversity Working Group was established two years ago to address access to the profession and the CIPR works with training and qualifications providers to accredit new practitioners with the necessary skills for careers in public relations.

"Jane will leave the CIPR in great shape. It is unrecognisable from the organisation of old," Stephen Waddington, member of the CIPR council, says. "She's done a superb job reorganising membership to align with the market and promoting professionalism in the PR industry. Her legacy will be the CIPR's leadership in areas such as internal comms, social and public affairs."

The CIPR hopes to have a successor in place by September. For now, the board will review the post and establish what role the next CEO will take in shaping the organisation.