ASIA PACIFIC, 18th October 2022 – Following a decade of growth and diversification, the Board of the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) is to conduct a comprehensive governance review to assess the strength of its policies, procedures, and professional frameworks.
Initiated by PRCA Chair Sarah Scholefield MPRCA on her appointment in September, the review underpins the Association’s commitment to maintain the highest standards of transparency and ethical practice.
The review will be carried out by a specialist, independent third party that will deliver its findings to the Board. It will encompass a broad range of internal and external stakeholders including staff, members, Board members and the wider industry.
The review will assess the efficacy of the PRCA’s professional structures with a focus on:
- Board & committees
- Values & ethics
- Policies & regulatory framework
- Monitoring & internal control
- Risk & performance management
- Transparency & accountability
It will be supported by the PRCA’s Race and Ethnicity Equity Board (REEB).
PRCA Chair Sarah Scholefield MPRCA commented:
“The PRCA is unrecognisable from the relatively small trade association that existed little over a decade ago, with memberships opened up to in-house and individual practitioners alongside the launch of a raft of pioneering services and support available to members through its incredibly hard working team.
“Moreover, it is also no longer a purely national body but a convener and partner on the international stage with over 35,000 members and operating in 82 countries. As an organisation supported by volunteer members at board and other levels, I am incredibly proud of what the team has achieved.
“Clearly, we need to ensure that all governance mechanisms which were first put in place are fit for the future, and also that they address learnings from the past. The review that the Board has approved is designed to strengthen the PRCA’s corporate governance and to underpin the Association’s steadfast commitment to professional standards.”
She added:
“The PRCA and PRCA Board acknowledges concerns that have been shared publicly in recent days and takes these very seriously. The Board is following current PRCA process and will be looking into these further.”
ABOUT PRCA
The Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) is the world’s largest professional PR body.
Representing 35,000 PR professionals in 82 countries worldwide, we are a global advocate for excellence in public relations. Our teams across Europe, the Middle-East and Asia-Pacific work with professionals around the world to co-ordinate our operations across six continents.
Our mission is to create a more professional, ethical, and prosperous PR industry. We champion – and enforce – professional standards around the world through our Professional Charter and Code of Conduct. The Code compels members to adhere to the highest standards of ethical practice.
We deliver exceptional training, authoritative industry data, and global networking, and development opportunities.
We also manage the International Communications Consultancy Organisation (ICCO) – the umbrella body for 41 PR associations and 3,000 agencies across the world. Additionally, we support the delivery of the Motor Industry Communicators Association (MICA).
