Public relations practitioners in the West of England have elected Mark Clare as their new chairman.

An executive director of Plymouth-based Clear Communications, he takes over the helm for the Institute of Public Relations in the region from Jon Day.

A former Royal Navy officer, Mark, pictured left, formed Clear Communications in 1991 as a corporate, business to business PR and advertising agency.

At that time he also joined a consortium which successfully bid for the ITV franchise for the South West of England and was appointed controller of press and PR for Westcountry Television.

He rejoined Clear Communications earlier this year.

Mark, who has recently moved to Tetbury , is also the immediate past chairman of the Lords Taverners in Devon and Cornwall.

"Companies and organisations in the West of England are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of PR in their day to day activities," he said.

"The IPR has a key role to play in promoting the industry and in ensuring practitioners are trained to the highest standards."