Paul Hand MPRII, new president, and Joan Mulvihill, new vice-president, Public Relations Institute of Ireland.

Mullingar to lead Public Relations Institute of Ireland

The Public Relations Institute of Ireland (PRII) announced the appointment of Paul Hand, MPRII, as its new president, and Joan Mulvihill, MPRII, as vice-president, at their AGM yesterday evening.

Paul Hand, currently the Senior Press Officer for the ESB (Electricity Supply Board), has 20 years of experience in media relations. At the ESB, he has worked on developing and implementing media engagement across a range of business units, with a focus on sustainability.

His career includes roles in public institutions both in Ireland and abroad, such as the Houses of the Oireachtas and the Department of An Taoiseach.

Paul has been an active member of the PRII National Council for two years, most recently serving as treasurer.

Joan Mulvihill is Digitalisation and Sustainability lead at Siemens, Ireland. She is known for her expertise in digital communications, business development, and relationship building. She leads Siemens’ efforts to address the digitalisation needs of their customers and is a strong advocate for creating sustainable value for Irish businesses.

Speaking following his election, Mr Hand said: “It’s the professional honour of a lifetime to have been elected president of the PRII. It is also a particular personal privilege to follow in the footsteps of a predecessor, Ned Lawler, who established the ESB Public Relations Office in 1928 and went on to be the founding president of the iInstitute 70 years ago.

“I thank the 1,200-strong membership for placing their trust in me and pledge to advance the standing of public relations practitioners and communicators to the best of my ability over my two-year term. I am passionately optimistic for our profession, and our role as problem-solvers for our organisations and clients as we together help tackle the national and global challenges of our time.”

On her appointment, Ms Mulvihill said: “It is a great honour to be elected vice-president of the PRII National Council. I originally joined the council three years ago as a special appointment to support the digital transformation journey of the institute. In that time, we have seen the significant impact that technology and AI in particular have on the profession.

“I look forward to working with incoming Paul, my fellow national council members and the executive team to deliver on our strategic objectives and in particular for my part, to continue to address the challenges and opportunities that emerging technology presents for the profession.”

Paul is from Mullingar and Joan is a resident of Mullingar.

Also at the AGM Nicola Cooke, MPRII, Corporate Account director, Murray Consultants, was elected to the National Council. The other members are: Alex Connolly, FPRII, head of communications, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; Trudi McDonald, MPRII, head of corporate communications and public affairs, Fáilte Ireland; David Kinch, MPRII, director, MKC Communications; and Sarah Ryan, MPRII, director of Communications, daa.

Paul Hand succeeds David Geary, MPRII, director of Communications, Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO).

Members at the AGM also approved the awarding of Life Fellowship to Carmel Doyle, FPRII, CEO of the Oesophageal Cancer Fund – the highest recognition the PRII can bestow on a member and celebrates those members who have exemplified the highest standards and practices in the profession.

Carmel, a long-time PRII member, served on the National Council and became president in 2000.

The Life Fellowship will be presented to Carmel Doyle at a special event in the new year.