The Institute of Directors has ended a three-month search for a
communications director with the appointment of Yorkshire Electricity
Group’s former public relations chief Brian Salter.
Salter replaces Gordon Leak, who left his post as media relations
director at the IoD in July.
Despite the revised title, Salter will assume broadly similar
responsibilities at the IoD, which vies with the Confederation of
British Industry to be seen as the leading voice of British business
leaders.
Salter’s appointment ends several months of freelance consultancy since
he was made redundant from his role as director of communications at
Yorkshire Electricity Group in March. His departure came just one year
after his arrival from Manchester Airport plc, and followed a cost-
cutting shake out at the energy group.
According to the IoD: ‘He will be responsible for media and public
relations for all IoD activities, as well as internal communications.’
However control of the IoD’s publishing division, which produces
Director magazine for its 35,000 individual members, will not form part
of Salter’s responsibilities.
Salter’s experience also includes a spell as head of public affairs at
Heathrow Airport and three years as corporate affairs manager at Acorn
Computers. Prior to that, he worked in a variety of production and
editorial roles for the BBC and BBC World Service.
Salter said: ‘I look forward to building on the Institute of Director’s
already high media profile and furthering its reputation as a source of
authoritative comment on business issues.’ Salter takes up his post
officially on October 30.
