The PRCA has appointed two PR leaders to co-chair its Diversity Network, who will guide the Association in its work opening up access to the communications profession.

The co-chairs are Rana Reeves MPRCA, founder of John Doe; and Jackie Cooper MPRCA, global chair of creative strategy at Edelman.

Jackie co-founded JCPR in 1987, which was acquired by Edelman in 2004. She has delivered brand counsel for clients including Diageo, Starbucks and Xbox.

Rana is a leading expert in cultural PR and is a consumer brand specialist. He works on a range of clients including Beats by Dre, Absolut & W Hotels. He worked at JCPR for 7 years.

Rana said: “Clearly this is an issue with which I have personal experience, and it is such a shame that there is still a need for this in 2015 - but there is. I am excited to explore this with my old boss who taught me professional self-value and what it means to work for someone that hires based on ability and talent rather than what school you went to, or whether you look like them. I hope to offer a healthy mixture of carrot and stick to get action on diversity."

Jackie said: "Given that our role in the communications world is to reach out and engage with the human race, it is imperative that our industry reflects that diversity and represents opportunities equally and fairly. I am delighted to reunite with Rana in this mission and I look forward to enjoying again our magical mix of provoking thought and driving action.”

The PRWeek/PRCA Census 2013 demonstrated the industry’s failure to become truly inclusive: 91% of people within in it are white, a fractional improvement on the previous 2011 Census, when white people accounted for 92% of the business.

The Diversity Network works to open up access to the communications profession and make it more representative of the nation. Over the past two years, the Network has developed initiatives such as the joint PRCA/PRWeek scheme PR Internships For All; the PRCA’s PR Careers Guide and schools outreach programme; and the CMS Diversity Module.

Rana and Jackie replace former network chairman Tanya Joseph MPRCA, director of business partnerships at Sport England; and vice-chairman Robert Phillips FPRCA, co-founder of Jericho Chambers, who have led the group since its launch in 2013.

Francis Ingham, PRCA director general, said: “I am very pleased to welcome Jackie and Rana as co-chairs of the Diversity Network. I am sure that they will take the PRCA’s diversity activities from strength to strength. I would also like to thanks Tanya and Robert for their hard work in leading the network over the past two years.”