Leading brand communications agency Cohn & Wolfe has announced the promotion of Andrew Escott, formerly Managing Director of UK Corporate, to Global Corporate Practice Leader. He will take over from Geoff Beattie, who was recently named Global Leader of Cohn & Wolfe’s new Strategic Consulting Unit. Former UK Corporate Director Helen Searle will succeed Escott as Managing Director of UK Corporate.
Escott joined Cohn & Wolfe in 2009 and founded Political Counsel, their first public affairs service, in 2010. Previously he was Head of Commercial Relations at the NHS Confederation and, before that, a consultant at APCO Worldwide. A member of the PubAffairs Advisory Team, Escott’s client work as MD of the UK Corporate Practice has included Danone, Warburtons and Asia Pulp & Paper.
Searle joined Cohn & Wolfe with a dozen years of experience at agencies including Blue Rubicon and Weber Shandwick.
The Corporate Practice operates worldwide, covering all aspects of Reputation Management including Crisis and Issues Management, Business-to-Business Communications, CSR & Sustainability, Employee Engagement, Public Affairs and Corporate Storytelling.
Donna Imperato, Chief Executive Officer at Cohn & Wolfe, said: “Demand for our corporate reputation work has grown significantly around the world and Andrew has been a major contributor to our success. Under Andrew’s leadership, I see our Corporate Practice continuing to be a significant driver across Cohn & Wolfe markets.”
Escott added: “The global business environment has never been tougher so our clients need a partner that can seamlessly both protect and promote their business. That’s what we have built in London and it has been a successful and differentiated model driven by a hugely talented team. Helen is a great leader, a critical part of our recent success and I have no doubt she will take the business even further.”