Wednesday 31 March 2021 – News

Wednesday 31 March 2021; London UK: BME PR Pros, supported by Google UK and in partnership with PRovoke Media and the CIPR, has today launched The Xec., the first leadership scheme for UK-based Black, Asian, Mixed Race and Ethnic Minority (BME) PR and comms pros.

Bold and ambitious, the scheme, developed by BME PR Pros in consultation with The Blueprint advisory board, aims to create the next generation of BME leaders and to increase boardroom diversity client and agency-side.

The 10-month long course encompasses 14 training days (including with the PRovoke Media team and a special Google Day), 14 masterclasses and 10 ‘My Career’ talks all delivered by a diverse range of industry leaders including award-winning creatives, comms directors and agency owners from organisations including Google UK, The Guardian, Ketchum, Blurred, Twitter, Diffusion PR, Fanclub PR and Manifest. The Xec., running from September 2021 to June 2022, is worth a staggering 55 CIPR CPD points.

Furthermore, The Xec. course participants will have the unique opportunity to curate and present a special PRovoke Media event to be broadcast in June 2022.

In addition, course participants will:

• Be allocated a BME PR Pros mentor for six months
• Create and host a podcast series
• Be invited to judge a CIPR award
• Receive complimentary CIPR membership
• Be given £5,000 to create and launch a group campaign

Elizabeth Bananuka, Founder & CEO, BME PR Pros / Blueprinted, said: “BME PR Pros and The Blueprint diversity mark have always been about rooting for talented Black, Asian, Mixed Race and ethnic minority PR and comms pros to get the careers they deserve. The Xec., kindly supported by Google UK and delivered in partnership with PRovoke Media and the CIPR, is an attempt to smash that thick glass ceiling and create greater diversity at leadership level. From running a business to securing new business, nurturing young talent to navigating a business through crisis, through podcasting, leading an industry event and judging an industry award, it aims to provide course participants with the practical knowledge and skills needed to be great comms leaders. It is an exceptional course delivered by an incredible array of industry talent all committed to tackling diversity. I believe The Xec. can have a genuine, positive impact on talented BME PR and comms pros and I hope it helps to create tomorrow’s great leaders.”

Tim Chatwin, Vice President, EMEA Communications and Public Affairs, Google, said: “I’m excited to be supporting The Xec and helping provide practical support and mentorship to the next generation of BME communications leaders.”

Arun Sudhaman, CEO and editor-in-chief, PRovoke Media, said: “Unfortunately, diversity levels among the PR and communications industry’s senior ranks have rarely been afforded the attention they deserve. At PRovoke, we believe that change is urgently required, so we are eager to support The Xec. scheme in conjunction with a wonderful range of industry partners. Only through initiatives like these, focused on concrete action rather than talk, can we truly create a more representative industry.”

Mandy Pearse, CIPR President, said: “We must be courageous in addressing leadership and boardroom diversity across the profession. As CIPR President for 2021, I am proud to partner The Xec. and believe we can support the next generation of BME leaders to excel.”

The Xec. leadership scheme runs from September 2021 to June 2022, is free and there are eight places available. Deadline for applications is 23:59 on Wednesday 21 April 2021.

For terms and to request an application pack visit: bmeprpros.co.uk/the-xec