Member Article

Partnership provides regional hub for North East public relations professionals

Members of the Chartered Institute for Public Relations (CIPR) are set to benefit from a new partnership between the body and Newcastle University’s Centre for Professional and Executive Development.

Based in the city’s newest high-tech business venue, The Core at Science Central, Newcastle University Centre for Professional and Executive Development is working with the CIPR to offer members a ‘Regional Hub’ with access to a drop-in workspace complete with a range of facilities, including free Wi-Fi.

In announcing the initiative to members last night at the CIPR North East Annual General Meeting outgoing Chair, Chris Taylor, said: “We wanted to give our members access to a convenient and state-of-the-art place to work right in the heart of Newcastle City Centre.

“The CIPR North East membership spans the breadth of the region, with a high percentage either based on Tyneside, or working as freelancers and consultants with clients situated in Newcastle and the surrounding area. Working with our friends at Newcastle University Centre for Professional and Executive Development, we’re delighted to be able to offer them – and those CIPR Members visiting from outside of the region – a city-centre base to be used on a drop-in basis.”

The CIPR North East is also set to deliver a variety of training and events at Newcastle University Centre for Professional and Executive Development at The Core, with plans to jointly develop training and networking opportunities open not only to CIPR members but the wider business community.

Barry Walsh, Newcastle University Centre for Professional & Executive Development Manager at The Core, said: “This is an exciting partnership for us. Our aim is to provide a range of professional development opportunities for individuals and organisations around the world and the varied and active business community in the city is obviously one of our key areas of interest and engagement.

“Providing this drop-in space for CIPR members is a great way to help us achieve this aim and we look forward to welcoming them as they use the space in the coming weeks and months.”