About Us

Who are its members?

CIPR Government Affairs Group members are communication professionals who have regular dealings with Government or the institutions of Government in its very widest sense. This can be at local government level, at Westminster or Whitehall, at the European Union, or in Belfast, Edinburgh or Cardiff. Members can be in-house, consultancy-based or freelance. Their dealings with government are not restricted to “lobbying”, but embrace all aspects of public affairs and political relations. They can include those who work for government agencies, who write about government, who work for or provide services to government, or who work for political parties. Background and skills of members include public relations and communications, journalism and the law.

The Group is strongly cross party and does not seek to take partisan positions on political issues. Our Patrons and Members of our Executive Committee encompass people who are members of all the main UK political parties and those of no party.

Members of the Government Affairs Group do not have to be members of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, although this is a requirement for certain posts within the Group. Members of the Government Affairs Group are expected to abide by a Code of Conduct, agreed by members at the 2003 AGM.

What are the benefits of membership

The Group is strongly cross-party and aims to facilitate Member meetings and receptions under the "Chatham House Rule" with senior speakers. In the last few years the group has hosted meetings with, for example: David Cameron MP, Geoff Hoon MP, Howell James, Nick Clegg MP, Sir Philip Mawer, Michael White, Lord Puttnam, Lord McNally, Sir Bob Phillis and Alan Rusbridger.

The Group also holds three keynote annual events - the summer reception, the annual lunch and the annual lecture. The summer reception is always strongly represented by all parts of the industry and the annual lunch is held at the Members' Dining Room in the House of Commons. Last year the speaker was Armando Iannucci. The Group also organises regular trips - including in the last few years a trip to Brussels and a trip to Edinburgh, which involved meeting a range of senior politicians and looking at the workings of government. In 2006 we initiated the CIPR GAG Annual Lecture. The inaugural lecture was given by former Liberal Democrat leader and high representative of the international community in Bosnia, Lord Paddy Ashdown.

The Group also publishes an annual handbook of members which is a benchmark in the industry; membership also allows a high degree of mutual support and networking - with regular access to senior industry professionals and recruitment consultants.

For more information about joining the CIPR Government Affairs Group contact the Membership Secretary, George Crozier, or click here to join on-line.