Nominations for the 2027 CIPR President, commencing President-Elect role in 2026
Statement from Martin Turner, CIPR Returning Officer
At the close of nominations
Dan Gerrella
Graham Goodkind
Aileen Thompson
were duly nominated to stand for election as CIPR president-elect 2026.
Checks and verifications have been completed, and I therefore confirm them as the candidates for this election.
There is a period of 48 hours for complaints regarding the nominations process. Any person who believes they submitted a valid nomination paper but is not included on this list should contact me, Martin Turner, at [email protected] without delay.
Hustings
Hustings took place on Thursday 2nd October via Zoom. Please follow this link and log in to watch the recording.
Voting
The election opened at 09:00 BST on Friday 3 October and closed at 17:00 BST on Friday 17 October. The result will be announced by Tuesday 21 October.
Candidates
Dan Gerrella
Graham Goodkind
Aileen Thompson
Dan Gerrella
Chart.PR, Dip CIPR, FCIPR
The world that we operate in as PR professionals is changing rapidly. AI is transforming our work. Political polarisation and mistrust are rising. Scrutiny is intensifying on organisations and businesses. It’s a challenging environment for PR professionals, and a strong CIPR is essential.
The CIPR must expand its impact to remain relevant, deliver what members need, and meet our Royal Charter - to serve the public good. I want to help us build a more robust CIPR that reflects the needs of PR practitioners today, no matter what sector, specialism or career stage they’re at. It must be commercially resilient, make decisions focused on long-term sustainability, and be a leading light for research and insights that support our sector.
My priorities:
1. Refresh CPD and introduce clear career pathways
As professionals, we need to be intentional in our learning. It’s about more than completing CPD and getting Chartered. The CIPR needs to support members with structured learning pathways that guide them at every career stage. This will establish a core base of professionalism, drive development and add value to members.
2. CIPR at the forefront of key debates
The CIPR is leading the debate on good lobbying. However, we need to take a leadership role on other issues too. This includes expanding work on EDI (to include ageism, socioeconomic backgrounds, and neurodiversity), the impact of misinformation and disinformation on public trust, and the need to facilitate a fair and inclusive transition as the economy resets around new towns, net zero aims and artificial intelligence.
3. Volunteer recognition
Volunteers are the CIPR’s lifeblood. They contribute to events, provide guidance and resources, and are the face of the CIPR for many members. However, many are feeling disillusioned or disconnected. This is huge risk. We need a volunteer strategy focused on attracting new and diverse voices to the CIPR, while recognising the efforts of those who give up their time and energy.
4. Widening our reach
We need partnerships with business groups, other trade and Chartered bodies, and organisations with mutual interests. I’ll focus on ensuring every partnership aligns with the strategy and delivers tangible member value. That includes pursuing commercial opportunities where appropriate.
5. Strong foundations
While we need to look outwards, there is more to do on governance. We need to strengthen the link between Council and Board, get more members involved in key decisions, and ensure we have a strong grip on risk and financial stability.
Why me?
I’ve been volunteering since 2012, serving on Groups, Council and Board. I haven’t been passive in these roles. I’ve participated in working groups, chaired committees, worked on industry guidance and represented the CIPR.
I have first-hand experience of running a PR agency and making board level decisions. I understand the challenges of balancing client demands, my learning and development, and volunteering for a membership organisation.
I’ve worked in-house too, in international roles that have provided an insight into the PR sector in the US, Asia Pacific, and EMEA. I believe this gives me a good understanding of how the CIPR and wider PR industry work.
This campaign is about you and the value of your membership. It’s your career development, your community and your industry. I’d love your support, so that we can do this together.
Dan Gerrella’s Nominators
1 Donna Castle
2 Jenifer Stirton
3 Eva Maclaine
4 David Hamilton
5 Paul Calahan
6 Anne-Marie Lacey
7 Alison Tobin
8 Andy West
9 Rebecca Zeitlin
10 Rachel Roberts
Graham Goodkind, Chart.PR, MCIPR
I'm probably a bit of a left-field option for this role. I haven't got the typical background of previous candidates. I set up Frank PR in 2000 and have had an incredible journey with the agency. We've won just about every award possible (many from the CIPR), I've provided employment to 624 people (and counting) from a wide variety of backgrounds and given 1087 young people (and counting) work experience placements, many of whom have gone on to jobs in the industry. I've sold the agency, done an MBO (2021) and recently passed it on to the employees (2024) via an EOT. I still practise PR, working 3 days per week. I love it. As much now as ever in fact. I count each day as a blessing. With the other days, I mentor, coach, advise, counsel, invest and sup-port others on their journey in this industry. I am also a Trustee of charitable organisations and do voluntary work.
Being President would give me a chance to formalise my giving something back, to reach a greater amount of people than I do at the moment and share my passion and enthusiasm for this profession.
Having lived and breathed consumer PR, I think it is fair to say that the CIPR has lacked relevance to people working in this branch of our industry, accounting for upwards of 30% of those in PR in the UK.
One of my (three) targets is to awaken a sector I know well to the importance of the CIPR to their businesses and as individuals. Alongside this I'd like the CIPR to be perceived as more relevant to Gen Z'ers, to get younger people to understand the CIPR's value to their learning and careers. I'd like to help revamp and improve CPD content as part of that.
My second target would be to significantly increase understanding of what it means to be Chartered. It feels like it is one of the industry's best kept secrets! I'd aim to mobilise those with Chartership status to get others to see its value. As a creative at heart, I'd be able to bring lots of new thinking and fresh ideas to the party. As an entrepreneur, some of my commercial nous and experience can be useful and very helpful for the CIPR too.
My third target is therefore to create, challenge, help, support and inspire CIPR Boards, Groups, committees, members and officials.
We are entering a period which is going to be challenging for the PR community. The changing nature of communications, the impact of AI, the very mixed client perception about PR, issues with recruiting talent, diversity, inclusion, combined with a tough business climate and outlook. I would like to foster a strong and united CIPR community to work through these together.
I think my arm's length relationship to the CIPR to date is a real benefit. I'd be able to provide more external and fresh perspective, a less nuanced and more neutral view of how things are done, and no knowledge of what has or hasn't been done before. I promise to not let anyone down when it comes to passion, positivity and energy and I would be honoured and proud to serve as CIPR President.
Graham Goodkind’s Nominators
1 Stephen Waddington
2 Jason MacKenzie
3 Alison Clarke
4 Rob Brown
5 Emma Leech
6 Kevin Taylor
7 Darryl Sparey
8 Richard Bagnall
9 Helen Anderson
10 Julio Romo
Aileen Thompson, Chart.PR, FCIPR
I believe public relations has the power to shape trust, drive reputation and connect people across society. This is a pivotal moment for our profession. I am eager to step forward as President Elect in 2026 and then as President in 2027 to ensure the CIPR delivers tangible value for every member and strengthens its role as the essential body for public relations.
I have worked in global agencies (Weber Shandwick and Burson Marsteller), in executive corporate affairs leadership roles both nationally and internationally with Kellogg’s, Vodafone, the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industries, Innovate UK and HS2, and now independent consultancy. I know how membership elevates capability and credibility. I want to ensure current and future members gain even more.
My experience gives me the perspective to help the CIPR deliver on its five year strategy and support members and new members at every stage of their careers. I am a Fellow, Chartered PR Practitioner, CIPR mentor, Board member, co-Chair of the CIPR’s Professional Practices Committee and a member of the Diversity and Inclusion Network. I am an external speaker, a regular industry Awards Judge and Award Winner, and Vice Chair and Board Trustee at a UK charity.
As President Elect 2026, I would listen, plan and build coalitions with members to champion CIPR publicly, and support the incoming new President Farzana Baduel; serve on Board, Council and Finance Committees and deputise for the President as required; ensure a smooth transition to Presidency via direct and virtual engagement with members, to identify emerging opportunities, unmet needs and potential barriers.
As President 2027 working with the Chair, Board, Council and Members my priorities would be:
1) to deliver value by articulating membership benefits to in-house, agency and independent PR practitioners that enhance the CIPR’s competitive advantage for members and aspiring entrants; explore additional recognition for volunteers and publish member and volunteer case studies to demonstrate tangible returns on investment.
2) to define and promote the value PR brings to AI adoption, the management of misinformation and disinformation and ethical communications; publish real world case studies on the business and ethical benefits of AI tools; convene PR, HR and Legal experts to shape sustainable business models for the future.
3) to accelerate diversity and inclusion, and focus on ageism and social mobility by significantly growing the Taylor Bennett Foundation and CIPR’s Reverse Mentorship scheme; expand the CIPR’s ageism research with new resources, case studies and role models.
These three priorities will deliver increased member engagement and growth, a clearer demonstration of return on investment, increased pride and inclusion in our profession and a CIPR that is recognised nationally and internationally as indispensable to public relations.
Please consider voting for me. Thank you.
Aileen Thompson’s Nominators
1 Noha Al Afifi
2 Stewart Argo
3 Catherine Condie
4 Chiara Ceci
5 Neil Fullbrook
6 Russell Grossman
7 Laurian Hubbard
8 Steve Shepperson-Smith
9 Annette Spencer
10 Mark Woods