The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) is the professional body for PR practitioners in the United Kingdom. Founded in February 1948 as the Institute of Public Relations, by 2009 it had grown to over 9000 members involved in all aspects of the public relations industry, and is the largest body of its type in Europe.
The CIPR advances the PR industry in the UK by making its members accountable through a code of conduct, developing policies for the PR industry, representing its members, and raising standards through education and training.
During its 60th anniversary year, its President was Elisabeth Lewis-Jones. The current President is BBC communications chief, Paul Mylrea.
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The organisation operates a number of membership grades:
The Institute operates a number of sectoral industry groups including a public affairs group, plus 14 regional groups:[1]
As a chartered society the CIPR is ultimately governed by the Privy Council of the United Kingdom and its members agree to abide and uphold a strict code of conduct thereby affirming their commitment to operate ethically, with integrity and transparency.
The CIPR provides a number of qualifications for PR professionals, up to the level of the CIPR Diploma, a Master's level postgraduate qualification.[2]
Students undertaking the Diploma examine case studies and practical PR examples to analyse strategic communications in action, and learn to develop their PR planning and integrated communications management skills.[3]