The Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) has appointed Darren Caplan and Chantal Bowman-Boyles as the newest members of its Management Board.
The Board oversees the PRCA’s strategy, operations and financial performance, ensuring the Association is effectively governed, responsive to its members and equipped to advance the PR and communications profession.
Chantal is Managing Partner, EMEA, at FINN Partners, an independently owned global integrated communications consultancy. A trained barrister with more than 30 years’ experience in PR and communications, she sits on the boards of FINN Partners’ entities across the region.
Before establishing FINN Partners in EMEA, Chantal grew practices at WE Communications, Burson, Weber Shandwick and Golin. She has also held senior in-house roles, including at BT plc, where she delivered award-winning organisational change communications.
Darren has been Chief Executive of the Railway Industry Association (RIA) since 2017, leading its work to promote rail supply sector growth and strengthen its influence with political and industry stakeholders. Under his leadership, RIA has won more than 10 industry awards and expanded through the acquisition of two media outlets and a rail supplier community.
Prior to RIA, Darren was Chief Executive of the Airport Operators Association, now Airports UK, following a career in PR, communications, politics and public affairs.
Kirsty Leighton, Chair of the PRCA Management Board, said:
“Chantal and Darren bring exactly the kind of leadership, perspective and practical experience the PRCA needs as it enters its next phase. Chantal understands how to build international communications businesses and strengthen the profession’s influence at board level, while Darren knows what it takes to lead a membership body that delivers tangible value and makes a compelling case to decision-makers.
“Our ambition is for the PRCA to become more outward-looking, commercially relevant and confident in championing the economic and social value of professional communications. Chantal and Darren’s expertise will strengthen the Board as we pursue that ambition and ensure members remain at the heart of the Association.”
Chantal Bowman-Boyles, FINN Partners Managing Director, EMEA, said:
"I've been passionate about the value the PRCA brings to the profession since working on my first CMS audit back at Golin in the early 2000s, which really made us think about how we could manage our teams better internally, and deliver improvements in quality and results to our clients. Joining the PRCA was one of the first things I did when I set up FINN Partners in London in 2013, and I've been proud of our involvement in multiple initiatives since then.
"Sarah has been a breath of fresh air, and just what we need at a time of huge change for us and our clients. I'm both proud and excited to be able to play a bigger part in helping she and the rest of the PRCA navigate those changes in ways that will see our profession, its people and results, deliver stronger and more impactful outcomes for our clients or organisations, over the coming years."
Darren Caplan, Chief Executive of the Railway Industry Association, said:
“I’m honoured to join the PRCA Management Board, having been a PRCA member for over 25 years in various capacities, working in agencies, in-house, and trade associations.
“As a member of the Board I now look forward to playing what I hope will be a useful part in informing discussions and actions to further the interests of PRCA members and the PRCA’s agenda to promote a bigger, better and ethical PR and communications industry.”
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