(pictured),a consultant with Troncossi Public Relations was this week made an associate member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations this week.

Managing director Elizabeth Tee said the membership is only given to those with a CIPR approved qualification or at least three years full time experience in public relations.

She said: "This is a big step in recognition, by the British Government and others, of the public relations discipline. The Chartered Institute of Public Relations has over 8,000 individual members working around the world in a variety of industry sectors. All those who use public relations services are being urged to check that they are using members of the Chartered Institute with appropriate qualifications."

CIPR members have demonstrated a commitment to high levels of education, training and knowledge and have signed up to a professional code of conduct, Ms Tee said.

Mrs. Wightman has been with the firm since last October. As a consultant, she is responsible for advising on communication challenges, managing potential media crises, monitoring the media, writing press releases, newsletters and positioning statements, and liasing with the media as well as with clients.

Prior to moving to Bermuda, Mrs. Wightman worked as communications manager for the Independent Schools Council and the British Boarding Schools' Association. In the role, she handled media enquiries on independent education for over 500 schools. As part of a team working on independent education, Mrs. Wightman lobbied British parliament on national issues such as the 2002 A-Level 'scandal', university entrance procedures and open access to independent schools.

Previously she worked for Citigate Dewe Rogerson, the world's largest international consultancy specialising exclusively in corporate communications. While at the firm she worked with the NASDAQ stock market, Granada, Applied Materials and Belgo Restaurants. She has also handled media and events for Philip Treacy, the haute couture milliner including the organisation of fashion shows at Tiffany's, Bond Street, London and the Mus?e des Arts D?coratifs in the Rohan wing of the Louvre, Paris.