Colin Farrington was inducted into UK PRWeek's 'Hall of Fame' in October 2005, after seven years as Director-General of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR). He also features in PRWeek's 'Power Book' of top UK PR people published in March 2007
The PRWeek accolade referred to 'his tireless work in promoting public relations as a creditable and professional industry, a cause that culminated in the award of Chartered status to the Institute…'
PRWeek said: 'Colin Farrington is never afraid to speak his mind…he famously criticised Alastair Campbell [Tony Blair's communications maestro] for bringing aggression and a macho confidence to PR... Farrington vigorously defends the profession… since joining as D-G, CIPR membership has grown by 40% and PR has been transformed from a career people fall into to a job they actively want to pursue.'
Colin Farrington is principal advisor to the Institute's Council and is responsible for the delivery of the Institute's modernisation strategy. The CIPR is now regarded as one of the world's leading public relations and communications organisations. CIPR members cover the whole gamut of communicators, in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors, both in-house and consultancy, corporate communications, internal communications etc, with specialist groups covering the main sectors. CIPR members include most leading figures in the industry.
Colin Farrington regards his main achievements as the improvement of communications with members, including the launch of 'Profile' magazine in October 1999 and the award-winning website www.cipr.co.uk, now achieving over three million page downloads annually and with over one thousand pages of information. Colin has also led on strategic reviews of professional practice and membership arrangements; in forging new international alliances; and revitalising the Institute's regional and sectoral groups.
Colin is Secretary General and Board member of the European Confederation of Public Relations Associations (CERP), and is Chair of the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management (GA), which he helped found in 2000. The GA has 60 member associations. The GA's World Festival will be held in London in 2008, the CIPR's 60th anniversary.
Colin chairs the CIPR PRide Awards in the regions and organises the CIPR Excellence Awards nationally.
Colin is also a regular strategic communications commentator in the business section of the Telegraph
PR is seen as a vibrant, attractive industry, consistently ranking among new graduates' top three career choices. The CIPR is proud to represent such an industry, existing to set the highest standards of professionalism and integrity within the profession.
With 9000 members from all sectors of the industry, the CIPR is the largest public relations institute in Europe.
Detailed information about the CIPR and its activities is available across this website. A taste of what the Institute is about can be found below:
The CIPR's qualifications are a key part of the Institute's activities, and continue to thrive. The CIPR Diploma provides practitioners with the knowledge and understanding of theory and practice to develop as effective and efficient professionals.
The Institute supports the training and development of members through a comprehensive portfolio of events, ranging from bite-size breakfast briefings to full-day workshops and conferences. Justly regarded as amongst the best in the industry, CIPR training courses are aimed at practitioners of all levels. Members are also encouraged to further their personal development through the Institute's CPD programme .
The CIPR produces leading policy guidance, with research into areas such as public relations ROI, and best practice guides and publications on a variety of topics, including crisis management, managing reputation and evaluating communication programmes.
The Institute is dedicated to raising standards within the industry. All members sign up to an enforced Code of Conduct, signalling their commitment to operating ethically, with integrity and transparency. Support and advice is freely available to members, and there are also specialist and regional groups to provide opportunities for members to meet and exchange views and ideas.
