Some thinking explained...

Around a week ago - a long time in politics I know - I wrote and outlined my support for Rob Brown in the upcoming CIPR Presidential election.

I described Rob as the most progressive candidate and one that I felt was best able to continue to unite members, council, Board and staff on the upward path that I believe the Institute is now following.

Not surprisingly, I have had a couple of emails from friends and colleagues asking me to elaborate on those thoughts and querying whether that meant I regarded the other candidates as "unable" to unite those groups.

So - for the record - no I do not believe the other candidates would be "unable" to gain across the board support, nor do I feel that they would not seek a progressive agenda. That doesn't change my view however, that Rob is the candidate in the best place to continue the progression.

At various stages I have worked closely with all three candidates for the Presidency and I know the strengths they would bring to the task at hand - in terms of their management style and business acumen; their PR background; their relationships with the broad church of the existing membership; their appeal to the next generation; their ability to work through, around or past the current PRCA difficulties; and the contribution they can make personally to the image and progression of the CIPR and indeed the profession itself as it faces up to the challenge of the digital era.

So, and with apologies to Lionel and Sue, when I look across all those requirements, Rob gets more "first place" votes from me and emerges as the strongest candidate.

You will probably be delighted to know that those are my final thoughts on the subject. I would urge you to use your vote, and to read the statements of all the candidates. I wish all the candidates well and I know that whoever triumphs will strive hard on behalf of the membership.