I am so proud of everything that the CIPR Crisis Communications Network has achieved. We aim to promote excellence and share best practice in crisis communications. Not yet 2 years old, we already have over 600 members located in over 30 countries; we put on regular cutting-edge events with international speakers and create original content for our dedicated website www.ciprcrisiscommsnetwork.com every month. This month we are delighted to announce that our committee members have won nine CIPR 2023 Volunteer Recognition Awards…

We live in a world of global instability, insecurity and complex inter-dependency, where at any given time a potential crisis is only just around the corner. Effective risk management has never been so important for boards and senior management teams: they are expected to know about problems which may be brewing within their organisations, external events that could potentially do damage, and then act upon that knowledge quickly…

It is just over a year since my friend and colleague passed on to a better place. Leigh was my chief co-consultant and collaborator in Marland Sykes. Leigh was one of the kindest men I have ever met. A man of utmost honour and integrity….

Would it ever have occurred to you to use the strapline above to advertise a woman’s dress? If not, you are in good company for an in-store advertisement at Sainsbury’s was pulled last week after complaints about women’s safety.

A new report by US think tank The Conference Board has revealed that, notwithstanding the volatile times we live in, most CEOs across the globe are not prepared for crisis….

The crisis at Balenciaga could have been avoided with better corporate governance, including Board oversight. According to a recent report in The Guardian, the luxury fashion house Balenciaga produced two advertising campaigns, one of which featured children holding teddy bears in bondage gear…

No Board should be without a corporate/public affairs professional. In a world that is increasingly disruptive, inter-connected and dominated by 24 hour news cycles and unceasing social media, corporate/public affairs plays a critical role in managing an organisation’s brand, profile and reputation…

In The Times this week Alice Thomson writes that “In many ways we seem to have given up on 2022 and fallen into apathy, as though we have all received a terminal diagnosis. Everything feels grim and desperate: our homes too cold, the weather dire, war and pestilence sweeping the globe in a doom loop.” How right she is and how well this encapsulates the ongoing state of Permacrisis we all find ourselves in. “Goblin mode” …

With the ongoing cost of living crisis, inflation, soaring food and energy prices, war in Europe, the ousting of two Prime Ministers within a matter of months, and the sudden death of HM the Queen, it is perhaps unsurprising that Collins Dictionary has awarded ‘permacrisis’ its ‘word of the year’ for 2022. ‘Permacrisis’ means “an extended period of instability and insecurity”….

Whilst the ongoing psychodrama at Westminster may be compelling viewing, most people tend to prefer their soap operas firmly within the confines of their TV or radio. The chaos that is engulfing the Conservative party at the moment is far too real, affecting ordinary people where it hurts the most. It didn’t have to be like this…

A fascinating article in PR Week this week reports Penny Mordaunt’s view that Conservative Party communications are “s**t”.  She reportedly added “Does anyone know anyone that can help us? Anyone know anyone who works in comms?” …

This article was first published on ciprcrisiscommsnetwork.wordpress.com/blog/ on 7 June 2022

Friends of UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson cheered out loud this week as he won his vote of confidence by a margin of 64 votes. Conservative MPs voted by 211 to 148 to keep him in his post. In theory, by winning the vote, the Prime Minister has become immune from both another vote of confidence and a leadership challenge for a year. Yet, paradoxically…

Sometimes crises are described as ‘black swans’. In a blog published in the summer to commemorate the five-year anniversary of the Grenfell Tower disaster….

Last summer I was lucky enough to be able to set up a Crisis Communications Network for the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR), and I now chair this group with the wonderful Chris Tucker. If nothing else the pandemic has shown us all the importance of preparing for crisis and how importance good, effective communication is for building resilience. Our first year has been amazing.

I am proud to be the founder and co-chair of the CIPR Crisis Communications Network. We are an open and inclusive forum where members of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations from across the globe can come together to learn about and share best practice in crisis communications…

The departure of Messrs Cain and Cummings offers the government an opportunity to reset its communications activity. There is considerable room for improvement. The nation is going through a crisis the like of which has been unknown in our lifetimes…..

Covid has changed all our lives. Consultants offer huge advantages in uncertain times precisely because they are not permanent hires; they are experts who come and go as required and require minimal supervision; they are used to taking a brief….

People often ask me these questions, so I share my thoughts as someone who has worked as both a professional interim and as a consultant over the last 12 years. Interims and consultants are contractors who can add value to your business on a temporary basis…..