Thames and Chilterns: The CIPR PRide Awards 2004/5 - PRide awards are a great way to boost the region's PR talent

Fiona Campbell, Chair, CIPR Thames and Chilterns 04-Mar-05

This is the first year we've me just for the Thames and Chilterns, and we have worked to boost entry from across the region. Among our members we have both in-house departments and consultancies that are nationally recognised for the quality of their work, as well as a high proportion of independent practitioners. We're proud of the industry in our region, and we want practitioners to join us in celebrating their achievement.

Our region offers a unique award: the Norman Manners Award, presented by his son Crispin Manners, Kaizo chief executive, to the PR Professional of the Year in the region. Norman Manners was a pioneer of scientific and industrial PR in the UK, who set up The Argyll Consultancies and was a founder of the Public Relations Consultants Association.

The team on the regional committee is well aware that there's a wealth of public relations talent in the region, and we would like to see it recognised in the CIPR PRide Awards.

So we plan to hold an event later this year to offer advice on how to create a winning entry, building on the experience of winners and judges. We know how hard it can be for busy people to find time to prepare an entry, but the value of rewarding business development and team building is being recognised.

Many thanks to all who took part and congratulations to our winners.