Bellenden added a new Account Director to its growing team this week, with Antonia Norman joining from Marks & Spencer.
Norman previously worked as Government Affairs Manager at the retailer, where she was in charge of managing its public affairs across the EU, UK, devolved and local governments.
Norman spent six years at M&S where she developed a wealth of experience from working on projects as diverse as the public health responsibility deal, business rates campaigns, energy policy and ethical sourcing. Prior to working at M&S, Norman was Principal Political Advisor at the CBI, providing political and parliamentary expertise to the employers’ organisation, under the leadership of ex-Director-Generals Digby Jones and Richard Lambert, and current CBI-boss, John Cridland.
The arrival of Norman from M&S brings the Bellenden team new commercial experience, shortly after the arrival Chris White, a former Special Adviser to Conservative Cabinet Members, Rt Hon William Hague MP, Rt Hon Andrew Lansley MP and Rt Hon Patrick McLoughlin MP. White joins the agency’s public affairs senior management team as an Associate Director.
Mark Glover, Chief Executive at Bellenden, said: “We have ambitious plans for growth and am sure that Antonia’s in house experience at M&S and supporting British industries at the CBI will ensure we continue to deliver communication’s excellence in partnership with our clients.
“We are delighted that Chris will be bring his detailed knowledge and understanding of politics and the Parliamentary process to our industry leading public affairs division.
"We look forward to announcing further new hires in the coming weeks.”