Last month I became Senior Warden of the Company of Public Relations Practitioners; a membership organisation, part of the City of London’s livery movement that is building charitable funds, through which the PR industry can give back to the communities it serves.
The first in our series of events with Lord Chadlington saw him in conversation with Lord Bell.
“What a brilliant start to the Company’s new season of events: we were thrilled that the two great fathers of PR could join us for such an interesting and stimulating discussion. The profits raised from Tuesday’s event have all helped to boost our funds. We are grateful to both speakers, the ICAEW, and to everyone who attended, for their support.” Master, Katherine Sykes
Drinks were served and guests put questions to both Lord Chadlington and Lord Bell who gave entertaining and insightful answers.
Thank you to ICAEW for generously supporting this event.
the speakers
Lord Chadlington is a serial entrepreneur. He founded two of the largest public relations networks in the world. First, Shandwick the international PR firm which he floated on the London Stock Market and later sold to IPG in 1998. It became the largest PR firm in the world. And, then, Huntsworth, the international public relations and healthcare communications company which has a number of operating public relations brands within it – specifically Grayling, Huntsworth Health and Citigate. With 1700 people, 72 principal offices in 31 countries, the group provides clients with global reach and international cultural sensitivity.
Throughout his career, he has been active both in local and national politics. He worked for Prime Minister John Major and Prime Minister David Cameron, and he was elevated to the House of Lords as a Conservative Peer in 1996.
Peter’s latest venture is The Chadlington Consultancy, a corporate and strategic communications company which specialises in high level issues. He is Chairman of GPW, an international business intelligence firm, and of Station 12, a venture capital and venture building company focused on media and entertainment.
Lord Bell served as Chairman of the Board and as Director at Bell Pottinger, as well as serving as Chairman of Chime Communications PLC in 2012. Lord Bell is one of the best known figures in the UK communications industry. He helped found Saatchi & Saatchi in 1970, and as International Chairman he took Saatchi & Saatchi into its position as the first British number one worldwide advertising agency in 1981. He successfully ran the publicity campaigns for the Conservative Party for the general elections in 1979, 1983, and 1987.
He was appointed deputy Chairman of Lowe Howard-Spink & Bell plc in 1985 and remained in that position until the formation of Chime Communications in 1989. He has advised the chairman of many of Britain’s leading companies and organisations, as well as foreign heads of state, international business leaders, and politicians.
He was awarded a knighthood in 1990 by Lady Thatcher in her resignation honours and a Peerage by Tony Blair. He is currently Non-Executive Chairman of Sansfrontiere and Associates.