As we reflect on the journey of the IoIC’s year, I can only feel a huge sense of pride in the remarkable strides we’ve made together as a community.
2024 was a very special year for the IoIC. You can read all about the ‘things we can all be really proud of…’ throughout this annual review.
A 16% rise in membership. Delivering 75 training courses. Creating a successful two-day learning and networking festival. A memorable awards evening at the Natural History Museum. Supporting a resurgence of regional events. 2024 saw the IoIC continue its rise as the member-focused professional organisation of choice for internal communicators.
It was also a special year as it marked the IoIC’s 75th anniversary. It turns out that we were in good company in celebrating a historic 75th year milestone. In 1949, 12 countries signed the North Atlantic Treaty, leading to the creation of NATO to safeguard the freedom, common heritage and civilisation of their peoples.
Also that year, Commonwealth leaders met in London to pave the way for the formation of the modern Commonwealth. And the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act secured access for everyone to open countryside, founded on the understanding that connection with nature is essential to the health of people, society and the planet.
From these shared anniversaries, I can pick out key threads that sum up and reflect today’s IoIC – supporting its aim to lead the way in advocating effective internal communication and building a movement of passionate, dedicated and skilled professionals.
And there are common themes, such as a shared interest; clarity and belief in a common purpose; uniting to make something better; bonds of friendship and respect; connection; collaboration; willingness to take collective action; and a dash of imagination.
When you have these common elements and shared belief, you have a firm foundation for growth. Given our increasing membership, dedicated chief executive, HQ team and volunteers; and the recognition and importance of IC’s value and role in helping people at work feel informed, connected and purposeful to drive organisational performance, I have confidence that our Institute will continue go from strength to strength over the next 75 years.
I am stepping down as President of IoIC at this year’s AGM after more than 10 years in the role. It genuinely has been an honour and a pleasure to be your President, working with the Institute through what have been some of the most challenging and changing years in the workplace, in wider society, and in world events.
It’s not a total goodbye as I will continue to be actively involved in the Institute that I’ve been proud to be a member of for almost 40 years. Got to make that personal anniversary! Working alongside Jennifer, the HQ team, the Board, and your new President Dominic Walters in particular, is going to be exciting as the Institute continues to grow and to shape workplaces for the better.
Suzanne Peck
IoIC President
