The Public Affairs Board has announced a five-strong leadership team for its executive committee, pointing to ethics, diversity, and the devolved nations as issues they will focus on.
George McGregor CMPRCA, Managing Partner, Interel, and Emma Petela CMPRCA, Director, GK Strategy have been appointed as Co-chairs, following the resignation of Paul Bristow MPRCA, Managing Director, PB Consulting, as Public Affairs Board Chair.
In addition, Cathy Owens MPRCA, Director, Deryn Consulting and Paul Church CMPRCA, Associate Director, The Whitehouse Consultancy, have been appointed as Vice-chairs, filling the vacant roles left by McGregor and Petela. Lionel Zetter FPRCA, former Chairman, PRCA Public Affairs and Lobbying Group, remains a Vice-chair.
Bristow stepped down to potentially contest the Peterborough by-election as a Conservative candidate.
McGregor and Petela said:
“This is a proud moment for both of us and we look forward to working with the Public Affairs Board and PRCA secretariat to deliver on the promises made during the APPC/PRCA merger campaign.
“Our priorities as Co-Chairs are threefold: to build a more powerful voice for public affairs, to champion and uphold ethical public affairs and to promote diversity in our industry.
“We’d like to pay tribute to our predecessor Paul Bristow and wish him well as a parliamentary candidate”.
Owens said:
“As we move into a new era for the organisation, it’s a good time to think about our industry in the future, including new operating methods and new forms of digital advocacy. I’ll be particularly keen to make sure we deliver on improving our offer to companies and individuals who operate in the devolved nations and outside London. It’s also great to be part of team that represents the diversity we all want to see in the industry."
Church said:
“It is an honour to be elected as Vice Chair of the Public Affairs Board by industry colleagues and to work with such a talented and vibrant leadership team. Together, we will champion best practice, promote high standards and ensure that policy-makers continue to recognise and value the public affairs industry as a partner in developing excellent and fair legislation across the United Kingdom.”
All Co-chairs and Vice-chairs take up their positions immediately and remain in place until the time of the next scheduled Public Affairs Board Executive Committee election (June 2019). All candidates are eligible to stand again for their positions in June.