In a "resounding vote of confidence for the UK PR industry", the PRCA is taking full ownership of ICCO, the global association for public relations consultancy, from January.

The ICCO manages 28 national trade associations and represents nearly 1500 PR firms, and has been a training partner of the PRCA since 2011. The new agreement is expected to be implemented from 1 January. Staff and resources of the ICCO will be transferred and mobilized to the PRCA office in London.

Francis Ingham will become executive director of the ICCO in addition to his role as PRCA director-general. Current executive director Virginia Hague stepped down on 1 November and will assist in the transition period.

Ingham, who has helped expand and strengthen the UK association for years believes that the collaboration will bring forth a very bright prosperity and numerous opportunities to both of the parties. “This is a resounding vote of confidence for the UK PR industry in general, and for the PRCA in particular,” he says, “It is incredibly gratifying to see the 27 other national PR associations expressing their trust in us, and we will make sure that their trust is justified over the coming years. Personally, I am very much looking forward to assuming my duties as ICCO’s executive director. I am determined to beef up the services offered by the organisation, and in doing so, to deliver added benefits both to its members, and to the PRCA’s.”