Highest accolade

She was presented with the award by the Chartered Institute for Public Relations (CIPR) at the Institute’s annual Fellows’ lunch, held at the 30 St Mary Axe aka the Gherkin, in London. 

Anne-Marie is a Senior Lecturer in Public Relations in Newcastle University’ s School of Media, Culture and Heritage.

She dedicated her award to Laurel Hetherington, who set up the public relations programme at Newcastle University.

“Whenever I’m teaching about the history of public relations, I always talk about Sir Stephen Tallents being the founder of the (C)IPR, and how the medal in his name is the highest accolade in our profession,” she said. “I often joke with students that I haven’t won it yet, but one day I will, and I can’t quite believe that day is actually happening. I cannot describe how grateful I am to receive this honour in recognition of my advocacy for professionalism, Chartership and qualifications. 

“To be a Chartered PR practitioner, working communications consultant and a public relations educator is very special. I'm able to pair theory with practice and hopefully inspire future generations of PR practitioners to underpin their strategic recommendations with the latest body of knowledge, elevating public relations as a management discipline deserving of its seat at the Board Room table. 

“I have to thank my own university lecturer, CIPR colleague, mentor and friend - Laurel Hetherington - for sparking that passion in public relations many years ago. Without Laurel’s guiding hand, I wouldn’t be the very proud recipient of the Sir Stephen Tallents’ medal today, and I’d like to dedicate this award to her." 

Commitment and dedication

In awarding the Sir Stephen Tallents’ Medal, President Advita Patel noted Anne-Marie's "commitment and dedication to the CIPR and advocacy for professionalism, Chartership, and qualifications", in addition to praising her recent work on the CIPR's syllabus review. 

As well as her work at Newcastle University, Anne-Marie is founder of Filament PR. She is a CIPR Fellow and sits on the Institute's Board of Directors. Her distinguished career includes winning the Outstanding Young Communicator Award at the 2014 CIPR North East PRide Awards, before winning the accolade nationally at CIPR's Excellence Award in 2017. She has since gone on to judge both schemes at a regional and national level.