The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) is delighted to announce the recipients of two of its most prestigious honours, the Sir Stephen Tallents’ Medal and the President’s Medal, which have been awarded to Anne-Marie Lacey and Sheeraz Gulsher, respectively.
The awards were announced in person at the Institute’s annual Fellows’ lunch held at the Gherkin in London.
Sir Stephen Tallents’ Medal
The 2025 Sir Stephen Tallents’ Medal was awarded to Anne-Marie Lacey, Founder of Filament PR. Anne-Marie is a CIPR Fellow, sits on the Institute’s Board of Directors, and serves as a Senior Lecturer in Public Relations at Newcastle University. 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. 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.
CIPR President’s Medal
Sheeraz Gulsher, Co-founder of People Like Us, was awarded the 2025 CIPR President’s Medal in recognition of his work championing diversity and inclusion within the public relations industry. People Like Us is an award-winning not-for-profit dedicated to celebrating and supporting UK professionals from Black, Asian, Mixed Race, and minoritised ethnic backgrounds. Through innovative campaigns and advocacy work, Sheeraz has established a reputation for supporting and amplifying under-represented voices within and beyond the industry. CIPR President Advita Patel highlighted Sheeraz’s “incredible work with People Like Us”, noting that his continuous work and campaigns have made “significant contributions both politically and within the industry itself”.
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. 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.
Anne-Marie Lacey Chart.PR, FCIPR, Communications Consultant and Senior Lecturer in Public Relations
To be awarded the prestigious CIPR President’s Medal is a true honour. Running People Like Us alongside my brother and best mate, Darain, is the greatest privilege of my life. Together with our community, we’ve shown what’s possible when people come together to demand fairness, equity, and change.
But this recognition is not a finish line; it’s fuel. At a time of rising xenophobia, both here in the UK and across the world, we will keep standing shoulder to shoulder with our community and allies, and we will continue to speak up for oppressed people everywhere, from Palestine to Sudan, the Congo and beyond.
Thank you to the CIPR for this incredible recognition – it means so much, and strengthens our resolve to keep pushing for lasting change.”
Sheeraz Gulsher, Co-founder of People Like Us
I am delighted to award both the Sir Stephen Tallents’ Medal and President’s Medal at this year’s Fellows lunch, recognising two exceptional practitioners who exemplify the very best of our profession. Anne-Marie’s unwavering commitment to CIPR’s standards and qualifications and Sheeraz’s transformative work championing diversity and inclusion demonstrate the breadth of excellence within our industry. Their contributions – one strengthening our professional foundation, the other driving essential change – show how public relations and communications practitioners can make a lasting impact both within our Institute and across society.
CIPR President Advita Patel Chart.PR, FCIPR
