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CIPR Government Affairs Group Press Release
22 March 2006
“Group needs to take it to next level”
The CIPR Government Affairs Group has met for its annual general meeting (21 March 2006). The meeting was addressed by the Rt. Hon. Geoff Hoon, the Leader of the House of Commons who spoke about the Government’s legislative agenda and the report of the recent Power Inquiry.
Newly elected Chairman of the Group, Robert Khan MCIPR said:
“I am grateful for the leadership of Jonathan Bracken as Chairman for the last two years. Under him the Group has gone from strength to strength. It has established itself as one of the major bodies representing the public affairs industry. Its capacity to hold high profile events in prestigious locations and attract speakers of the highest calibre are now absolutely unquestioned.
However, it is time to take the Group to the next level. That is why I will be asking the Committee of the Group to undertake, with me, a root and branch review of what we do and why. I hope that over the next few months we can address the issues about who is best placed to lead and represent the growing public affairs industry over the next ten years. I am certain that the Group with its proper membership structure, a constitution and a Code of Practice that members must adhere too is well on the way to being so. However, I will also want the Group to re-assess where the public affairs and government relations profession fits within the wider public relations industry, and we need to be asking some tough questions about how we work within the CIPR and the wider world”.
Notes for Editors:-
- The Government Affairs Group of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations meets most months in Westminster for speaker meetings, events and networking opportunities. It has over 500 members.
- Recent speakers have included David Cameron MP, Geoff Hoon MP, Sir Bob Phillis, Alan Rusbridger, Lord Puttnam, Sir Philip Mawer, the Irish Ambassador, Nick Clegg MP and Alan Williams MP. Future speakers include Howell James and Paul Richards.
- The full list of officers elected at the AGM is as follows:-
Chairman
Robert Khan MCIPR. Robert is the Parliamentary and Public Affairs Manager for the Association of London Government, the umbrella body representing the London boroughs and the City of London. He is currently on secondment as a Senior Political Adviser, advising the Labour party in local government.
Vice Chairmen
Lionel Zetter FCIPR and Daniel Murphy.
Lionel is the Managing Director of PMS Political Wizard Ltd and is the President-Elect of the CIPR. Daniel is the Public Affairs Manager of the Commission for Social Care Inspection.
Secretary
Louisa Stevens
Treasurer
Deborah Powton FCIPR
Membership Secretary
Elizabeth Brogan
Executive Committee
Jonathan French MCIPR, Clive Booth MCIPR, George Crozier, Laura Webb, Simon Goldie