A new survey has revealed that while UK businesses recognise the risks associated with reputational damage, over one-third of those polled do not have in-house public relations expertise to manage it.
The Business Leaders Survey from the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) and delivered by global market research agency, 3Gem, revealed that business leaders place reputation risk in their top five concerns. However, it also found that over 40% of those businesses didn’t retain the services of a public relations firm.
The report is the fourth in the series and surveyed 300 C-Level Managers and Directors in mid-December 2023 about their organisation’s public relations functions and future demand for public relations services. The report, exclusive to CIPR members, also looks at training requirements, plans to hire, whether businesses are prepared for a crisis, and more.
In today’s climate, leaders are grappling with a myriad of challenges, from economic uncertainties to rapidly evolving stakeholder expectations, all while under growing scrutiny. How organisations navigate these challenges and communicate effectively with their employees, customers, and communities is critical to their success.
It is encouraging to see more businesses taking proactive steps to identify and mitigate reputational risk. Those businesses that don’t have a dedicated reputation management function may find themselves particularly vulnerable in a business atmosphere as demanding and volatile as ever.
CIPR President Rachael Clamp Chart.PR FCIPR
