Public sector PR: Interviewing Mel B to amplifying voices of women with ADHD
Rob Dyson is a London-based CIPR member and freelance NGO consultant who has worked in PR for 25 years. This is his career story …
What does your current role involve?
I am now a freelance PR and head of comms, and have a small roster of charity clients, which I love. The variety is huge, and I'm a PR who is equally comfortable at the coalface as well as in the boardroom. I could be providing strategic high-level advice one hour; recording, scripting, and producing a podcast in another; delivering training in the next, or selling-in a campaign to journalists.
What do you love most about working in public relations?
For me having almost exclusively been based in the non-profit sector since 2000, I love raising awareness and impact for causes which impact on community cohesion, allyship, and supporting to raise funds. This isn't just about just securing media coverage but has also been landing an impressionable newsletter or podcast episode which led people to take an action (and letting me know that they did).
What's been the highlight of your career so far?
I loved my time at the charity Whizz Kidz, where I led on a big campaign around the London 2012 Paralympics; I secured big national pieces by bringing in new ambassadors like Hannah Cockroft, as well as Channel 4 reports that leveraged the young people to speak for themselves and tell their stories. I am also proud of creating and developing the WI's podcast series, interviewing Spice Girl Mel B for one, and amplifying the voices of women with late diagnosis autism and ADHD in another.
How long have you been a member and what made you join?
I became a member of the CIPR when I went freelance in 2023. I wanted to learn and develop myself and set challenges to achieve, as an independent consultant.
How does the CIPR support your career?
I watch CIPR livestreams and attend on demand learning webinars; I read resources and connect with other members - and the CPD programme keeps me learning and developing my skills. It led to me taking on a new trustee role in 2024.
Best piece of career advice you’ve been given?
Do the work.
Find out more about joining the CIPR
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