News | ESB senior press officer elected as president of PRII

The Public Relations Institute of Ireland (PRII) has announced the appointment of Paul Hand MPRII as its new president. The announcement was made at the PRII Annual General Meeting (AGM) recently.

Paul Hand, currently the senior press officer for the ESB (Electricity Supply Board), has over 20 years of experience in media relations. At the ESB, he has been instrumental in developing and implementing media engagement strategies across a range of business units, with a strong focus on sustainability. His extensive career includes key roles in public institutions both in Ireland and abroad, such as the Houses of the Oireachtas and the Department of An Taoiseach.

Hand has been an active member of the PRII National Council for the past two years, most recently serving as treasurer.

Speaking following his election, Hand said: “It’s the professional honour of a lifetime to have been elected president of the PRII. It is also a particular personal privilege to follow in the footsteps of a predecessor, Ned Lawler, who established the ESB Public Relations Office in 1928 and went on to be the founding president of the Institute over 70 years ago. I thank the 1,200-strong membership for placing their trust in me and pledge to advance the standing of public relations practitioners and communicators to the best of my ability over my two-year term. I am passionately optimistic for our profession, and our role as problem-solvers for our organisations and clients as we together help tackle the national and global challenges of our time.”

In addition to Hand’s election, Joan Mulvihill, MPRII, digitalisation and sustainability lead at Siemens, Ireland, was elected as vice-president. Mulvihill is well known for her expertise in digital communications, business development, and relationship building. She leads Siemens’ efforts to address the digitalisation needs of their customers and is a strong advocate for creating sustainable value for Irish businesses.

The AGM also saw the election of one new member to the National Council – Nicola Cooke, MPRII, corporate account director, Murray Consultants.

The other members of the National Council are Alex Connolly, FPRII, head of communications, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; Trudi McDonald, MPRII, head of corporate communications and public affairs, Fáilte Ireland; David Kinch, MPRII, director, MKC Communications and Sarah Ryan, MPRII, director of Communications, daa.

Hand succeeds David Geary, MPRII, director of communications, Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO).

Members at the AGM also approved the awarding of Life Fellowship to Carmel Doyle, FPRII, CEO of the Oesophageal Cancer Fund. This prestigious honour is the highest recognition the PRII can bestow on a member and celebrates those members who have exemplified the highest standards and practices in the profession.  

Doyle, a long-time PRII member, served on the National Council and became president in 2000.

The Life Fellowship will be presented to Doyle at a special event in the New Year.