Women in PR, the UK’s leading membership organisation for senior women in PR and Communications, has appointed longstanding Committee member Anna Geffert, MD at HERA Communications, as the new incoming President. She replaces Bibi Hilton, who has led the organisation for the past three years.

In a presentation to member attendees at the virtual AGM held last night, the Committee looked back at the successes and challenges of the last year and outlined its strategic ambitions for 2021.

 Ngozi Emeagi, former Events Secretary and Senior Consultant at Powerscourt, was also announced as Vice President and Addy Frederick, former Mentoring Committee member and Group Communications Manager at Prudential plc, as Treasurer. Four new Committee members were also voted in:

• Roxanne Kalha, Managing Director, The Romans
• Ronke Lawal, Founder, Ariatu Public Relations
• Sophie Raine, Managing Director, Consumer Brands, Ketchum
• Jennifer Thomas, Communications Consultant, GSK

Anna Geffert, incoming Women in PR President and MD at HERA Communications, comments: “Last year saw unimaginable difficulties and loss for our members; many of whom lost friends and family, employment and security, and the ability to lean on networks and contacts for guidance and confidence. As a result, Women in PR has taken on a new role in helping women to rebuild and shape their careers – balancing the professional with the personal and supporting each other to overcome these challenges and lay the foundations for growth and success in the year ahead.

“It has been such an honour to work with Bibi and the inspiring women on the Committee over the last three years. Together, we have begun to breakdown barriers of inequality for all women in our industry. As ever, there is always more work to be done and the pandemic has raised fresh challenges for us all to face. I look forward to welcoming our new Committee members to continue our campaign for equality and also to provide new, supportive tools, skills and opportunities to inspire and empower our members into senior leadership roles.”

After serving three successful years at the helm as President of Women in PR, Bibi Hilton, Global Engagement Director, Unilever at Interpublic Group (IPG), is stepping down inline with the organisation’s constitution. Sarah Samee, Group Head of External Communications, Lloyd’s Register  is also stepping down as Vice President, but remaining on the Committee. Four members from the Committee are also stepping down this year:

• Davnet Doran, Treasurer and Head of Brand PR, Britvic PLC
• Ebony Gayle, Members Benefits Secretary and Founder, Ebony Gayle Communications
• Abbie Sampson, PR Campaign Strategy Lead and Director of External Affairs, Energy UK
• Jo-Ann Robertson, Campaigns Lead, Partner and CEO, Ketchum London

Bibi Hilton, comments: “It’s been an incredible privilege to lead Women in PR and to work alongside such a brilliant and inspiring committee and ambassador group. I’m immensely proud of everything we’ve achieved – from becoming a more diverse and inclusive organisation to launching our first group in Wales. With her experience both of big agency and setting up her own business and her ambition, energy and exceptional leadership, Anna will be a fantastic new President for Women in PR. I know in partnership with Ngozi, Addy and the new committee will continue to drive WPR forward in our mission to increase the number and diversity of women in leadership in our industry.”