Dan Gerrella, associate director at Liz Male Consulting, has won the latest CIPR presidency election, being named as the organisation’s 2026 president-elect. Gerrella will take on the role of CIPR president in 2027.
He beat his fellow candidates – Frank chairman and founder Graham Goodkind, and ex-HS2 comms chief Aileen Thompson – in a CIPR members’ vote.
The result was determined by 434 votes cast out of 8,049 ballots issued – a turnout of 5.4 per cent.
The election to determine the CIPR president-elect for 2026 and president in 2027 was the first time in almost a decade that more than two people have put themselves forward.
Gerrella is former head of comms for the Asia Pacific region at global architecture, urbanism and design practice Broadway Malyan.
He has been involved with the CIPR’s work for more than a decade and sits on its board of directors.
Following his win, Gerrella said: “I’m honoured to be named president-elect and will work hard to deliver my priorities over the coming years. I’d like to thank the members who engaged with the election and voted. It was a very professional and well-fought campaign, and Aileen and Graham were great candidates.”
He continued: “It’s healthy for the CIPR to have a contested election and have the opportunity to debate the next steps for the Institute. I hope we see more people put themselves forward in the future.
“Now the work starts. I’ve got five priorities, with the aim of building our profile, engaging with volunteers and members, supporting our professional development and ensuring that we have a sustainable CIPR, fit for the future.”
CIPR 2025 president Advita Patel said: “Many congratulations to Dan on being named our next president-elect. This election saw three candidates step forward, each bringing their own valuable expertise and perspectives to the race, and reflecting the quality, strength and depth of our membership.
“I’d like to thank Aileen and Graham for putting themselves forward and for engaging with so many of our members with their campaigns.
“Having worked with Dan for several years and recently on our board for the last two years, I know he has a deep understanding of the profession and the Institute, with a genuine commitment to strengthening the CIPR for every member.”
In his candidate statement, Gerrella argued that in a “challenging environment” for PR pros, “a strong CIPR is essential”. In his view, the trade body “must expand its impact to remain relevant, deliver what members need, and meet our Royal Charter – to serve the public good”.
He stated ambitions to see the CIPR be “commercially resilient” and “focused on long-term sustainability”, as well as a “leading light for research and insights that support our sector”.
Gerrella’s priorities range from strengthening the organisation’s governance and introducing clear career pathways to greater recognition of the volunteers who are the “lifeblood” of the CIPR – many of whom are “feeling disillusioned or disconnected”, he said.
Curzon PR chief executive Farzana Baduel will serve as CIPR president in 2026, having won last year’s election.
First published by PRWeek UK