Addressing equity, diversity & inclusion (EDI)
The public relations profession faces a diversity challenge. Our data shows that 9 in 10 UK practitioners are White and 25% are privately educated – around four times higher than the UK national average. This lack of representation hinders our ability to connect with the diverse and vibrant communities we serve.
We know there are barriers to entry and progression in the profession for under-represented groups. Our 2020 Race in PR report revealed that Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic practitioners were unable to access the same opportunities as White colleagues. They spoke of racism, microaggressions, unconscious bias and inflexible working cultures that denied them opportunities to advance their careers.
Our first EDI Strategy
We are proud to launch our first EDI strategy to drive lasting and meaningful change. The strategy will embed EDI principles and best practice in six key areas of our work. It sets out how we will achieve this and how we will report on our progress.
The strategy has been developed by the CIPR EDI committee and builds on years of advocacy and hard work by the Diversity & Inclusion Network. Thank you to all the dedicated volunteers who have championed and continue to champion change in this vital area.
If you have any questions on the strategy, you may find the answers in our
frequently asked questions. To talk to us about the strategy or provide feedback, please contact
Claire Bloomer, Director of Operations.
Download strategy
NES accreditation
We are proud to have become the first professional body to achieve the National Equality Standard (NES), and the first organisation to be assessed for the work and culture of its volunteer network as well as its employed staff.
The NES is the UK’s leading diversity assessment framework, developed in partnership with the UK government and in collaboration with 20 public and private sector organisations. Over 400 organisations have engaged with the framework that sets clear diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) criteria against which companies are independently assessed.
Achieving this external validation is evidence of the systemic processes that we have embedded across the CIPR for the long-term sustainability and success of both the CIPR and the profession.
Read more in our Newsroom.
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Champion change
Support our strategy and join us in fostering a welcoming and inclusive profession where everyone can thrive and belong.
If you haven’t already started your EDI learning journey, deepen your awareness and understanding of the issues and increase your knowledge by exploring the EDI resources available to everyone from this page.
(Data: CIPR State of the Profession reports 2019 and 2022)
Showcasing diversity in PR
We want to feature real practitioners from under-represented groups in our EDI photography and branding. To share your quality photographs for possible use in our future communications, please contact
Sarah Ion, Director of Marketing Communications.