On 3 September, the CIPR announced that it has created an Equal Access Network to provide a resource for diversity in employment in public relations. An August survey conducted by the PRCA found that of 61,000 public relations professionals there were only eight per cent with a minority background.

Ignite, the UK PR community’s diversity advocate organisation also provides a networking resource for PR professionals from a minority background and advises on minority hiring. The CIPRs initiative aims to promote entry into PR through internships and recruitment schemes as well as providing a community for airing dialogue relating to diversity in the public relations industry.

Chair of the CIPR’s Diversity Working Group, Cornelius Alexander said the Network will be a place for people with an interest in employment diversity can network and discuss relevant issues.

“Improving diversity within PR is an important issue for the future of our profession and the CIPR wants to bring together people who want to make a difference,” Alexander said. “If we go on recruiting most of our practitioners from the same part of society we are in danger of reducing our effectiveness as communicators and overlooking a wealth of potential talent.”

The Equal Access Network kicks off with an event on 20 September.