View from the Big Chair

Earlier this year, Tillymint founder, Alison Gallagher-Hughes, stepped into the role of Co-Chair of CIPR Midlands and six months in, found herself reflecting on what the experience has really involved.

From widening participation and refreshing the volunteer pipeline, to balancing ambition with the reality of a tight regional budget, it’s been a period of energy, experimentation and learning. She discovered that leading in a voluntary capacity is both rewarding and demanding – a constant bridge between strategy and delivery, national priorities and regional needs, today’s volunteers and tomorrow’s leaders.

If you’re involved in professional membership bodies, leadership or volunteer-driven organisations, you’ll hopefully  find this article first published in Influence Online, the professional publication of the CIPR, insightful and recognise parallels with some of these learning experiences

Read the full article here:
Lessons from my first six months as a CIPR regional co-chair (first published on Influence Online, 15 August 2025).