The PR industry is always changing and always adapting to new situations. It’s only fitting that the association that represents the industry is changing too. At the CIPR’s June/July AGM in Manchester, it was decided that the governance structure of the organisation would have to adapt. A 48-member council was thus reduced to 28 members, making for a lighter, more flexible, quicker governing body.

The recent elections for the CIPR Council were voted on by the entire electorate for the first time. Traditionally, regional and sectorial group members were not appointed by masse vote, but by election by their region or to their sector group. The 28 members of the council appointed on Monday were elected by 1,100 voters, a 90% increase in turnout, year-on-year.

CIPR president Stephen Waddington says, “Congratulations to everyone who stood in this year’s elections. Your active campaigning and participation in a lively debate has been a fantastic demonstration of the collective leadership needed to continue our march towards professionalism in public relations.”

From the sector groups, council members which were once the chairs of their individual groups are now representatives for the entire CIPR electorate. The five English regional groups saw a similar shift in procedure. They are complemented by one representative each from Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The council also includes the treasurer, newly elected Grant Thoms, the former president, current president and president-elect, Rob Brown, who ran unopposed.

Brown, who was profiled in Communicate magazine's September issue, had run for election in the past but was unsuccessful. He decided to throw his hat in the ring one final time this year, an effort that paid off. He told Communicate that he'd hoped for other nominees to allow for more campaigning in the run-up to the election. However, he said, the president-elect role will act as the "natural culmination" to a career-long involvement with the CIPR.

The full list of council members is as follows:

• President: Stephen Waddington
• Past president: Sue Wolstenholme
• President-elect for 2015: Rob Brown
• Honorary treasurer: Grant Thoms

Eight CIPR Council seats elected from the open list:

• Stuart Bruce
• Lindsey Collumbell
• Richard Evans
• Andy Green
• Anne Gregory
• Sarah Hall
• Jason MacKenzie
• Jenifer Stirton

Eight CIPR Council seats were elected from the sector groups:

• Andrew Bartlett (CIPR STEM)
• Rachael Clamp (CIPR Public Affairs)
• David Hamilton (CIPR Fifth Estate)
• Eva Maclaine (CIPR International)
• Mandy Pearse (CIPR Local Public Services)
• Katherine Raven (CIPR Fifth Estate)
• Jenni Wheller (CIPR Inside)
• Paul Wilkinson (CIPR Construction & Property)

Five CIPR Council seats were elected from the English regions list:

• Paul Cullen (CIPR Greater London)
• Lisa Jones (CIPR Midlands)
• Pam Lloyd (CIPR South West)
• Justin McKeown (CIPR Yorkshire & Lincolnshire)
• Abi Whitfield (CIPR North West)

Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales have reserved seats on the CIPR Council, and the following candidates were elected:

• Northern Ireland: Chris Love
• Scotland: Laura Sutherland
• Wales: John Wilkinson FCIPR

From the CIPR Council:

Newly re-elected council member Jason MacKenzie, managing director of communications consultancy Liquid: “2014 has seen dramatic change within the CIPR, as the reform agenda driven by Stephen Waddington has taken hold. The institute is becoming more relevant to its members, to the PR industry at large and to the wider community. The direction of travel has been set - and a focused and motivated council will continue delivering results and drive growth and engagement. I’m looking forward to the challenge, especially as we celebrate a decade of being a chartered body next year.”

Newly elected president-elect Rob Brown, managing partner at Rule 5: “The practice of public relations is undergoing a significant upheaval.  It has become obvious in recent years that PR needs to change to remain relevant.  The CIPR has emerged as a trailblazer in modernising public relations practice in the UK and across the world and in raising standards of professionalism. I'm very honoured to have been given the opportunity to lead the Institute and continue that process.”

David Hamilton, recently elected to the CIPR Council and head of PR at Action for Children: “It’s an exciting time to represent CIPR members. The PR industry is rapidly professionalising - and the gap between those who commit to this professionalism and those who don’t is growing. I’m hoping that we can boost those who participate in continuing professional development from the charitable sector, and ensure that the CIPR is delivering the best possible value for money to members."