Yesterday I discovered I’ve been awarded the President’s Medal by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations.
CIPR President Jenni Field has announced the winners of CIPR’s two medals as she approaches the end of her year in office – the President’s Medal and the Sir Stephen Tallents Medal.
What is the President’s Medal?
Founded in 1966, the award is made annually at the President’s discretion, for “distinguished service to public relations.” Previous recipients include Sir Tim Berners-Lee, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Biz Stone, HRH Princess Anne, the Princess Royal and Lord Coe.
I’m truly honoured to receive the President’s Medal for my work as a trainer, consultant and mentor for internal communicators. I feel its significance and appreciate the recognition, which I share with all the IC professionals who have been under an intense spotlight this year.
I established my business, All Things IC, eight years ago to support and nurture Comms pros. They constantly inspire and motivate me and I love seeing their confidence and knowledge grow through our work. Thank you for this accolade, it means a great deal to me.
Thank you Jenni and CIPR, I will treasure this accolade. I’m feeling overwhelmed, but thankful.
My three children are very excited and can’t wait to see the medal in person. Thank you to my husband Jon and our little ones for your constant belief, love and trust, which allows me to fulfil my career ambitions, and benefit internal communicators.
CIPR President Jenni Field said: “Rachel has been a leader in internal communication for many years. I can’t think of anyone else who does more for the internal communication specialism within PR. She shares so much insight and advice, helping internal communicators thrive in their roles – and this year the importance of internal communication has never been higher.”
Sir Stephen Tallents Medal
Congratulations to Kerry Sheehan Chart.PR FCIPR, CIPR Artificial Intelligence Chair; UK Government Communication Service, who is the winner of the 2020 Sir Stephen Tallents Medal.
The Sir Stephen Tallents Medal recognises exceptional achievements in, and contributions to the development of PR by a CIPR member.
Kerry said: “I am deeply proud and honoured to receive the Sir Stephen Tallents Medal. I now join a wonderful list of PR practitioners, many of whom I hold in the highest regard and in whose company, I am so very proud to be included.”
Kerry, also a member of the International Data Science Foundation, added: “The best PR is about making a positive difference; a difference to yourself, to your client or employer and to society but we can only do that by upskilling to continue to remain relevant in practice to what is required.”
Jenni said: “Kerry has worked tirelessly this year as chair of a key CIPR’s panel to drive awareness and skills around the role of AI in PR. She is wherever she can be to help people and push this area forwards. At the same time, she has continued to volunteer as a Council member and chair of the Local Public Service Group. Her contribution this year has been outstanding.”
Post author: Rachel Miller
First published on the All Things IC blog 17 December 2020.