'The short term gains from CPD support your long term ambitions'
Tim Hudson was one of the first 100 CIPR members to become chartered. He uses his strategic PR experience to make a difference to the lives of young people facing homelessness
Job title and company: Director of communications and external affairs, LandAid
Location: Bollington, Cheshire
Time in PR: 17 years
What does your current role involve?
I lead the communications and engagement team at LandAid, the property industry charity working to end youth homelessness in the UK.
Our work cuts across the whole organisation, aiming to inspire members of the property industry to take action to support our work, deepen supporters’ connection with the barriers and solutions to youth homelessness, and position LandAid as an adviser and influencer to youth homelessness policy-makers.
I sit on the leadership team at LandAid, ensuring communications is at the heart of the charity’s decision making, collaborating with trustees, committee members and other senior stakeholders to support the charity’s mission to end youth homelessness.
What do you love most about working in public relations?
The diversity of the role, and the opportunity you have to create impact across all parts of an organisation.
What's been the highlight of your career so far?
When I worked at Cancer Research UK, I was lucky to be able to work in labs alongside researchers who were at the coalface of lifesaving scientific research. It was an absolutely fascinating experience, working with some incredible minds, and provided a fantastic opportunity for me to see first-hand how supporters’ donations are translated in to life-changing discoveries.
How long have you been a member and what made you join?
Since 2009 – it was a prerequisite of the role I took at that time that I become a member, in order to support my own continuous professional development and ensure my work was of the highest standard in the sector.
I was then delighted to gain Chartered practitioner status in 2016, and to be one of the first 100 practitioners in the country to do so.
I’ve also volunteered for the CIPR across all those years, being a member of the North West regional board, judging the PRide Awards and the Excellence Awards, acting as a Chartership buddy, and serving on the CIPR Podcast editorial board.
Best piece of career advice you’ve been given?
Probably the value of continuous professional development, and the benefits this can bring to you and your career; they're short term gains but these also come with supporting your longer term ambitions.
Take the next step in your PR career and become a member. The CIPR is a supportive and inclusive community where everyone has the opportunity to connect, thrive and grow. Join today.