The Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) has announced James Hewes as CEO, following a unanimous board decision.

The Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) has named James Hewes as its first CEO after a unanimous decision by board members.

Hewes, who takes up the role in January 2024, has 25 years’ experience in media and is currently president and chief executive at FIPP, an international network for global media. Previously, he has been publishing director at BBC Worldwide where he developed brands such as Top Gear and Lonely Planet.

The PRCA was ran by director general Francis Ingham until his death in March this year. It has been led on an interim basis by managing director Renna Markson since.

“PRCA has a reputation for being responsive, innovative, and for serving its members. In today’s market, it is needed more than ever to provide insight, support, training and networking opportunities,” Hewes says. “I can’t wait to start work with the team and begin the process of adding even more value to the services we offer the PRCA community.

“I’d like to thank Renna and the PRCA team for the fantastic work they do on behalf of our members and I’m really looking forward to working with them.”

Hewes was appointed after a four-stage process involving separate panels of PRCA board representatives and three rounds of interviews.

PRCA chair Ray Eglington says: “There were many excellent candidates to lead PRCA through its next chapter, but James was the unanimous choice of our final selection panel. We were impressed by his strategic thinking and operational experience in trade association and media industry roles.

“James’ mandate is to strengthen our value proposition for members, in the UK and in our key markets around the world. We are confident he will deliver.”

PRCA’s board of directors recently completed a management and governance review, which was approved by members at the trade body’s AGM in September. Markson says: “We look forward to working with James to continue to build PRCA and deliver value for our members.”