MEPRA refreshes regional leadership with Chair, Vice Chair appointments

The Middle East Public Relations Association (MEPRA) has made a series of appointments to its leadership with senior PR professionals from across the region taking up executive leadership roles.

Justin Kerr-Stevens has been appointed Chair, alongside Neda Shelton and Monther Tayeb appointed as Vice Chairs.

Kerr-Stevens succeeds Kate Midttun, who steps down following a period of leadership focused on strengthening governance, professional standards and the long-term sustainability of the association.

“It has been a privilege to serve MEPRA during a period of change for the industry. The incoming leadership team brings a strong mix of experience, energy and perspective. I am confident they will continue to strengthen MEPRA’s role as a trusted voice for the profession,” said Midttun.

The appointments come as MEPRA marks its 25th anniversary, a milestone year for the region’s leading professional body for public relations and communications. Alongside Kerr-Stevens, who is the first Chair appointed from outside the United Arab Emirates, Tayeb becomes the first Vice Chair appointed from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, reflecting the association’s growing regional breadth and focus on expanding its membership across the region.

Adding to the organisation’s leadership bench, Rishi Talwalker, Head of Communications, Havas Red and Ghaleb Zeidan, Managing Director Weber Shandwick join MEPRA’s Executive Board.

“As MEPRA marks 25 years, it is worth recognising the role professional bodies play in shaping not just an industry, but the people within it,” said Kerr-Stevens on his appointment.

He adds that organisations such as MEPRA provide perspective, standards and a sense of belonging, from the earliest career stages through to senior leadership.

“I am honoured to take on the leadership of MEPRA, and looking ahead, my priority is that MEPRA continues to be a place where experience is respected, new voices are encouraged, and practitioners at every point in their career feel connected to the profession,” he said.

“Remaining relevant to senior leaders while being meaningful to those just starting out is our core responsibility, and central to MEPRA’s purpose as it enters its next chapter.”

With nearly three decades of experience spanning government, consultancy and agency leadership, Kerr-Stevens brings a cross-market perspective shaped by senior advisory roles across Australia, the United Kingdom, the Middle East and Central Asia. He is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Northbourne Advisory, a Doha-based strategic advisory firm, and previously served as CEO of BLJ Worldwide, and Partner and Middle East General Manager at Portland Communications.

MEPRA said the new leadership team assumes office at a time of significant change across the Middle East communications sector, including consolidation among global networks, rapid adoption of AI-enabled tools, and increasing demand for strategic counsel, ethics and professional judgement.