building a strong and sustainable CIPR
We reviewed our governance for the first time in 10 years to ensure the CIPR remained strong, sustainable, and fit for the future. We proposed changes aligning our governance with our strategic ambitions, creating a a transparent structure that is, modern, and truly reflective of the diverse voices in our field.
Our proposals for change
We proposed changes to our governance in four key areas:
- Board of Directors
- Nominations Committee
- President's role
- Council
The governance consultation
A summary of the changes that were proposed are set out in this downloadable pdf. We ran a consultation on these proposals in January and February 2024 and you can see our response to the consultation feedback. The proposed changes to our royal Charter and Bylaws were approved by an Extraordinary General Meeting on 18 April 2024 and were sent to the Privy Council Office for consideration. Changes to our Regulations were enacted by our Council and Board in June 2024.
The governance process and timeline
March-December 2023
Council and Board agreed on the need to look at governance change; a joint working group of Board and Council members developed proposals for change reviewed on three occasions by Council and twice by the Board
January 2024
Governance consultation ran from 17 Jan – 29 Feb where members asked questions and shared views at event drop-ins with the CEO and President and via consultation survey
12 March
Governance Feedback summary was published and shared with consultation participants
18 April
Extraordinary General Meeting considered proposed changes to Charter and Bylaws
Agenda and papers can be viewed via a downloadable PDF here
Members voted via proxy or directly during the EGM on the day.
19 April
We applied to the Privy Council Office for permission to change
20 June
Board and Council agreed changes to Regulations, the job description for Independent Chair, Terms of Reference for Nominations Committee and the CIPR members and Independent Chair of Nominations Committee were agreed
10 July
AGM and Call for candidates for Council and for President-Elect was published
2-30 September (provisional)
Nominations Committee interviewed candidates
1 October (provisional)
Nominations Committee published names of candidates on the ballot paper
14 October (provisional)
Voting opened
31 October (provisional)
Voting closed
5 December (provisional)
Council elected a new Board of Directors
1 January 2025
Newly-elected Board, newly-elected Council and newly-elected President-Elect
began their terms of office.
The Governance Working Group
Our thanks to the governance working group who developed, with Board and Council input, the proposals for change.
Donna Castle
Dan Gerrella
Anne Gregory
David Hamilton
Hayley James
Paula McNulty
Claire Melia
Jenifer Stirton
Rebecca Zeitlin
Mitzi Wyman (Volunteer Working Group Coordinator)