- This story has been updated with additional information since it was first published.
His two tweets, sent yesterday, read:
I am suspending my campaign to stand for President of the #CIPR ahead of announcing tomorrow my formal withdrawal from the election. 1/2
— Andy Green (@andygreencre8iv) October 1, 2015
In the interim I am calling upon the #CIPR to conduct an urgent review of the election process for this year’s campaign.2/2
— Andy Green (@andygreencre8iv) October 1, 2015
Green was up against one other candidate, Jason MacKenzie, managing director of PR consultancy Liquid.
Online voting for the president role opened at the beginning of this week. Green's formal withdrawal was presented today, leading Alastair McCapra, returning officer for the CIPR election, to close voting in accordance with CIPR rules. Subject to any complaints about the election, MacKenzie will take the presidency.
In an email sent to members today, McCapra said: "Under our election rules, a 48-hour window now opens for any concerns about the process of the election to be raised. Once this time has elapsed, I will be able to declare the result. In the event that a valid complaint is received within this time, the rules allow a further 10 days for it to be resolved, after which the result will be declared."
In his blog, Green explained his reasons for the move: "My decision to stand was prompted by a desire to champion the cause of democracy within the institute and to avoid, for the third year running, the post of president being unopposed. Running for president has frankly been a mixed experience where I have since lost the appetite and desire to lead the organisation."
The 48-hour window will be open until 5pm on Sunday 4 October.
The new president will serve a three-year term on the CIPR Board of Directors as president-elect in 2016, president in 2017 and past president in 2018.
It was not possible to contact Green for further comment – although he told PRWeek on Twitter that he was at a hospital awaiting the arrival of his first grandchild.
Green founded Wakefield-based PR firm Green in 1993. The company ceased trading in July this year, but previously worked with clients including Asda and West Yorkshire Police.
