Stirton to run for PR body presidency

ONE of Scotland’s best-known public relations managers is to run for the presidency of the industry’s UK-wide professional body.

Jenifer Stirton, director of communications at NHS Lothian, has announced she is to seek election to the presidency of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR).

News of her candidacy was greeted with warm applause among the 300 guests attending the CIPR Scotland’s annual awards on Friday evening in Glasgow.

For the last two years, she has sat on the CIPR’s council, and for the 18 months on the CIPR’s board.

She was chair of the CIPR Scotland three years ago.

At the CIPR Scotland awards, NHS Lothian won two categories: ‘Crisis communications’ and ‘Best leaflet’, and came runner-up in the Internal Communications category.

It is shortlisted in the UK awards being run next month by the Public Relations Consultants Association.

She has been director of communications at NHS Lothian for four years.

She is up against Paul Mylrea, director of communications for the Department of International Development.

Becoming president first requires being elected for the year-long post of president-elect. Hence, were she to win, Stirton would be president the year after next.