Taylor Bennett Foundation appoints three additional trustees

Taylor Bennett Foundation has expanded its board with the appointment of new trustees Marc Cohen, MD of The PR Office, Syma Cullasy-Aldridge, director of External Affairs at PUBLIC and Jo Ogunleye, tech PR lead at KPMG.

‘We had a large number of high calibre applications, and I am delighted we have been able to appoint three trustees, bringing a great diversity of experience, knowledge and skills to further strengthen our board at this key moment,’ said TBF Chair Sarah Pinch.

‘We have exciting plans for TBF in 2021 and beyond, growing our reach and ensuring the PR and communications industry continues to stand up to inequality, invest in diversity and make real change. We are change makers, and we are ready to work with more partners.’

Of TBF’s aims, Marc Cohen said: ‘The challenge of ensuring that our industry hires and retains an appropriately diverse range of candidates is no longer a nice-to-have or a philanthropic endeavour, but a critical business need. I am very much looking forward to helping with this essential mission’.

Syma Cullasy-Aldridge sees the potential for process: ‘I personally recognise the value that diversity of thought and experience brings to an organisation and whilst some progress is being made, there is much more to do to make the real change we need and I’m looking forward to getting involved and playing my part’.

Jo Ogunleye knows the work of the foundation can make a real difference: ‘TBF has the potential to change the face of one of the most impactful industries in the country and is often life changing for its trainees. To truly move the dial on ethnic diversity and enact lasting change in PR & communications, there has to be a sustainable pipeline of BAME talent and the right support from partner organisations. I know that talent exists’.

The Taylor Bennett Foundation has been supporting young BAME people with starting their careers in public relations for over 12 years.

For more on the aims of the Taylor Bennett Foundation, read our interview with chief executive Melissa Lawrence and watch our accessmatters session here.