News: PRCA appoints James Hewes as chief executive

THE Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) has announced the appointment of James Hewes (pictured) as its chief executive. Hewes is currently president and chief executive at FIPP, the international network for global media. He will take up his PRCA role in January 2024.

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Hewes has 25 years’ experience in the media industry. Before joining FIPP in September 2017, he held senior positions at The Art Newspaper, Soho Consulting, Gulf News, Barclays Bank, Novartis, and BBC Worldwide, where he was publishing director, responsible for developing international brands such as Top Gear, Lonely Planet and Good Food. He has a track record in delivering value for trade association members and developing their sector.

Hewes said: “PRCA has a reputation for being responsive, innovative, and for serving its members. In today’s market, it is needed more than ever to provide insight, support, training and networking opportunities. I can’t wait to start work with the team and begin the process of adding even more value to the services we offer the PRCA community.

“I’d like to thank Renna and the PRCA team for the fantastic work they do on behalf of our members and I’m really looking forward to working with them.”

Hewes was appointed after a rigorous, four-stage process that included best practice in equality, diversity and inclusion, with measures to minimise unconscious bias and increase accessibility. Separate panels of PRCA Board representatives reviewed CVs and conducted three rounds of interviews.

PRCA Chair Ray Eglington said: “There were many excellent candidates to lead PRCA through its next chapter, but James was the unanimous choice of our final selection panel. We were impressed by his strategic thinking and operational experience in trade association and media industry roles.

“James’ mandate is to strengthen our value proposition for members, in the UK and in our key markets around the world. We are confident he will deliver.”

PRCA has recently been run on an interim basis by its managing director, Renna Markson. PRCA’s Board of Directors recently completed a management and governance review, which was approved by members at the trade body’s AGM in September. Markson said: “We look forward to working with James to continue to build PRCA and deliver value for our members.”