BME PR Pros partners with Google, PRovoke Media & CIPR to relaunch The Xec.
BME PR Pros partners with Google, PRovoke Media & CIPR to relaunch The Xec.
- Leadership scheme for UK-based Black, Asian, Mixed Race and Ethnic Minority PR and comms pros is back for second year
- 10-month practical course delivered by industry leaders from Google UK, The Guardian, Blurred, Twitter, Diffusion PR, Fanclub PR, Manifest and more
Wednesday 13 April 2022; London UK: The Xec. leadership scheme, developed by BME PR Pros, supported by Google UK, and delivered in partnership with PRovoke Media and the CIPR, is back for a second year.
The leadership scheme, the first for UK-based Black, Asian, Mixed Race and Ethnic Minority (BME) PR and comms pros, aims to create the next generation of BME leaders and to increase boardroom diversity client and agency-side.
The practical 10-month long course encompasses training days (including with the PRovoke Media team and a special Google Day), masterclasses and ‘My Career’ talks delivered by a diverse range of industry leaders including award-winning creatives, comms directors and agency owners from organisations including Google UK, The Guardian, Blurred, Twitter, Diffusion PR, Fanclub PR, Riot Communications and Manifest. The Xec., running from September 2022 to June 2023, is worth 40 CIPR CPD points.
Furthermore, The Xec. Class of 2023 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
Whitney Simon, Account Director, Missive: “Being part of the inaugural Xec. cohort has been a career highlight. Over the course of the scheme, I’ve had the opportunity to meet and hear from PR and comms titans spanning across agency and in-house who have truly helped me better understand myself as a PR practitioner and leader. But most importantly, this programme has helped me find a community of exceptional BAME PR and Comms individuals, who understand the challenges of working in this industry as people of colour. I’ve spent so much of my career feeling like an outsider and thanks to Elizabeth and her team, as well as all of my fellow Xec. cohort members, that is no longer the case.”
Tim Chatwin, Vice President, EMEA Communications and Public Affairs, Google, said: “Supporting the first cohort from The Xec. has been an absolute privilege – they are an incredibly talented group. We are excited to be continuing our partnership with BME PR Pros and I look forward to meeting the new group of leaders.”
Paul Holmes, Founder and Chair, PRovoke Media, said: “There is no more pressing issue for our profession than increasing diversity and making sure that we attract, develop and retain the kind of talent that reflects our broader society. The fact that progress is finally being made on this score is down in large part to people like Elizabeth Bananuka and initiatives like this one, and we are delighted to play whatever small part we can in moving the PR world forward.”
Alastair McCapra, Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, said: “I am very pleased to announce our continued support for The Xec. this year. This year’s cohort will again have access to a package of support from the CIPR that provides opportunities to benefit from membership and across a number of CIPR activities to learn and develop in ways they may previously have not had the opportunity to do. We were incredibly impressed with last year’s cohort and are proud to be part of an offer to support tomorrow’s leaders and improve diversity across the whole industry at all levels.”
Elizabeth Bananuka, Founder and CEO, BME PR Pros / Blueprinted, said: “The Xec., kindly supported by Google UK and delivered in partnership with PRovoke Media and the CIPR, is an exceptional course delivered by an incredible array of industry talent all committed to tackling diversity. A chance for talented BME PR and comms pros to learn from pros at the top of their game and to gain the skills needed to smash glass ceilings and progress up the career ladder. After a successful first year, I’m thrilled to see The Xec. back and bigger with more experts and more places for talented pros. I cannot thank our generous partners, tutors, presenters and mentors enough for rooting for talented BME PR and comms pros.”
The Xec. leadership scheme runs from September 2022 to June 2023, is free and there are twelve places available. Deadline for applications is 23:59 on Thursday 5 May 2022.
For terms and to request an application pack visit: bmeprpros.co.uk/the-xec