Barbara Phillips FPRCA to Step Down as Founding Chair of PRCA REEB After Five Years; Applications for New Chair Open

Barbara Phillips FPRCA will step down as the Founding Chair of the Public Relations and Communication Association’s (PRCA’s) Race and Ethnicity Equity Board (REEB) after five years of impactful leadership. Applications for the new Chair open today.

Barbara has played a defining role in building REEB from the ground up since its creation in 2020. Under her leadership, REEB has delivered major industry initiatives including two Ethnicity Pay Gap Guides in 2020 and 2024 the PRISM mentoring programme, and Behind the Mask, the landmark study capturing the lived experiences of racially marginalised male professionals in PR and communications. She has also ensured that REEB’s work directly influences PRCA policy, training, research and advocacy.

A respected strategist, multi award winner and Founder of Brownstone Communications, Barbara brought decades of communications expertise and a lifelong commitment to racial equity to the role. Her clear-sighted leadership, insistence on accountability, and ability to elevate underrepresented voices have helped shift the industry’s understanding of what meaningful progress on race and ethnicity requires. She will remain on the board as a member.

Barbara Phillips FPRCA said:

Becoming founding Chair of REEB has been one of the hardest things I have ever done, it is also one of the most rewarding. I feel satisfied the climate of our industry that necessitated originally forming REEB has seen some progression. Integrating racial equity into your organisation’s operations as part of your broader EDI plan is no longer an industry mystery and that is very much down to the hard work and diligence of the REEB members. It’s been an unforgettable experience.

PRCA CEO, Sarah Waddington CBE, said:

“Barbara’s leadership has been transformative. She established REEB’s foundations, delivered programmes that have changed industry practice, and ensured racial equity remains firmly on the agenda. We are deeply grateful for her vision, honesty and dedication.”

Applications for the role of Chair, Race and Ethnicity Equity Board, are now open. Details can be found at https://www.prca.global/sites/default/files/PRCA%20REEB%20Chair%20Recruitment%20Pack%202025%20%281%29_0.pdf.