Are you a woman in PR over the age of 45?  Do you consider your career journey, story or achievements outstanding in any way?  Or perhaps you know an inspirational colleague or friend in the industry who fits this bill… If so, we want to hear from you!

Women in PR has opened nominations for the communications industry’s inaugural ‘45 over 45’ list. This first-of-its-kind list will feature the women who are inspiring the next generation of women leaders and shaping a brighter future for the sector.

PR professionals aged over 45 can nominate themselves, or be nominated for inclusion on the list of outstanding women in the industry, here. Nomination deadline is Sunday 12 December 2021 at 11pm. 

An expert panel including WIPR committee member and founder of KCPR, Kate Clark; Founder Director of Age Remade, Tara Macleod; UK Exec Director of global recruiters VMA Lucy Cairncross; PRWeek 30 under 30 Lornette Harley; and Hearst Comms Director, Effie Kanyua will review the nominations, ahead of the unveiling and a launch event in February 2022. 

Why are we doing this?  And why does this matter?

WIPR recently ran a survey with Opinium which gave data to our hunch that older women are experiencing ageism within the comms workplace. The research showed that most women wanted employers to promote and provide career options for older women in order to keep them in the workplace. 

• Over 34% of women working in comms revealed they had experienced ageism in the workplace.
• Over half of women under 50 admitted they didn’t see a future in the part of the industry they worked in
• 26% of the youngest group polled (18-34) say they expect to leave the industry altogether 
• Limited career opportunities to progress (42%) and a lack of visibility of women aged over 50 in inspirational senior leadership roles (44%) were the biggest causes, alongside the need for better work/life balance. 

Women in PR’s ‘45 over 45’ list will be the first in the industry celebrating older women. By sharing the accomplishments of the 45 formidable women alongside the research, Women in PR aims to show the younger generation that age is just a number and most importantly, that employers need to take ageism within the industry seriously as a barrier to equality.