The media manager for Barrow’s shipyard has achieved a major professional milestone.

Nigel Thompson, who is external media manager for BAE Systems, passed the assessment to be designated a Chartered PR Professional by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations on Thursday.

To earn the membership he had to be tested on his knowledge of ethics, strategy and leadership.

Nigel - a keen rower and fellwalker - said enforced time at home during the coronavirus lockdown had given him the extra to study for the online assessment.

Before taking on the role Nigel worked for two decades as a journalist with the BBC.

This included stints at BBC Radio Cumbria and North West Tonight.

In 2016 he joined the University of Cumbria as media manager before moving to BAE two years ago.

“I am over the moon,” said Nigel.

"Of course there are a lot of similarities with being a journalist, but what it means for the future is that I have made the transition to PR. It means you are doing the right thing and for me it is all about helping people."

The CIPR is the world's only Royal Chartered professional body for public relations practitioners in the UK.

CIPR president Jenni Field said: "Since March we have held six assessments where 33 members from seven countries - including the UK - have become chartered. Commitment to becoming chartered is a promising sign of how seriously our members seek the highest standard of professional excellence. There is increased demand and as the process is becoming increasingly accessible."