Sara Naylor is Co-chair of the Independent Practitioner Network. She remembers just how it feels on Day 1 of being independent following a career in national news journalism and then agency-side for Whitehall clients. She said: “I loved the excitement of being in charge of my own destiny, but it felt odd to sit at my newly acquired desk in my attic room armed with nothing but a laptop and a mobile phone. It turned out that’s pretty much what was needed along with bags of enthusiasm for giving clients the very best service.”

Sara works with clients in the health, education and care sectors advising boards and chief executives. She wants to build a supportive network for independent practitioners that inspires and informs CIPR members.

Miranda Rocksmith is Co-chair of the Independent Practitioner Network and a passionate advocate for freelance PRs. She set up her business, Rocket Launch, in 2006 and, feeling a little daunted and lonely, she forced herself along to a meeting of other local CIPR independents and never looked back. She has been chairing this group since 2010, which has grown sixfold and become the Southern Independent Practitioners Network.

Miranda was made a CIPR Fellow in recognition of her support and organisation of this group, which provides a safe space for peers to share ideas, concerns and opportunities. She is keen to see this level of support be available to all CIPR independent practitioners, regardless of where they are based. Miranda works mainly in consumer PR in tourism, hospitality, and food and drink and featured in the inaugural Independent Impact 50, which recognised the UK’s top independent PR practitioners. 

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