A communications lecture from UU has been awarded the highest honour granted by the professional body for the UK public relations industry.

Andy Purcell - who heads up the Communication, Advertising and Marketing and Public Relations degrees at the University’s Jordanstown campus - has been made a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR), which has over 8,000 members across the UK.

Mr Purcell - a former public relations practitioner and company director - becomes one of only eight CIPR Fellows in Northern Ireland.

“The CIPR is Europe’s largest public relations organisation, and this year was granted chartered status by government in recognition of its leading role in guiding and supporting the development of the industry and in recognition of the important role played by the public relations profession in business and society,” he said.

“It is a great honour to receive a Fellowship from such a prestigious organisation, especially given the significance of this year for the body, which is celebrating 40 years since it was established in Northern Ireland.”

Chairman of CIPR in Northern Ireland, Chris Harrison, said Mr Purcell received the honour in recognition of the leading role he has played in improving standards within the profession and forwarding best practice.

“CIPR appoints Fellows in acknowledgement of significant contribution made to the profession and to the Institute. Andy has played an important part in pioneering education provision in public relations within Northern Ireland during his time at the University of Ulster. He is also a former regional chairman of the Institute who has strongly forwarded continuous professional development and has worked tirelessly to raise the standing and credibility of both the profession and CIPR,” he said.

“Andy has also recently completed the first phase of a major research project into the history of the Public Relations profession in Northern Ireland,” he added.

Andy Purcell began his career in education before becoming a public relations professional in the public sector, going on to become a director of a leading public relations consultancy. He has been a lecturer in public relations since 1995. Mr Purcell was a regional chairman of the CIPR in 1996 and currently serves on the organisation’s Northern Ireland committee. He has been a member of the CIPR since 1993.

For further information, please contact:

Trina Porter
Telephone: 028 71675511
Email: Trina Porter