Weber Shandwick strengthens EMEA crisis, issues and risk offering

Weber Shandwick, the earned-first global communications agency, has announced the appointment of Barnaby Fry as Head of Crisis and Issues EMEA. Rod Clayton, previously Executive VP/Head of Crisis & Issues, has been appointed Head of Risk and Advisory EMEA. These two new appointments will enhance Weber Shandwick's Crisis, Issues and Risk capabilities in EMEA and strengthen the company’s client counsel and c-suite advisory offering as companies navigate ever-increasing risk.

Fry joins Weber Shandwick from MHP Communications in London, where he served as Managing Director, advising boards and C-suites on managing reputation and guiding organisations through crises. He brings 25 years of extensive international experience in crisis, issues and reputation management, including external, internal, government and regulatory and financial and M&A.

In his new role, Fry will focus on the continued growth of the company’s crisis and issues offering in the region, driving innovation and integrating the company’s deep analytics capabilities to position organisations to face new and emerging threats.

“I’m excited about this new opportunity. With my background in delivering impactful strategies to prepare for and mitigate risk and to manage acute crisis response, I look forward to contributing to Weber Shandwick's continued success in the field of crisis management,” said Barnaby Fry, Head of Crisis and Issues EMEA.

Clayton has counseled the firm’s leading global clients through some of their biggest reputational issues over his 28 years with Weber Shandwick. In his new capacity, he will focus on providing counsel to senior executives and boards, and on helping them and their teams to identify, manage and communicate about operational challenges and risks to reputation.  "Clients have always wanted the best advice in live, adverse situations," said Rod Clayton, Head of Risk and Advisory EMEA, "and increasingly, they are looking for sophisticated guidance as they plan for potential issues over the long term.  Weber Shandwick's growing team of specialists can support them at every turn."

“The demand for strategic crisis expertise to help companies navigate the increasingly complex environment in which they operate is growing,” said Greg Prager, Head of Corporate EMEA. “The issues we face today are more far-reaching and divisive than ever and stakeholder scrutiny and expectations are greater, requiring companies to bring innovative and forward-thinking approaches to reputation management.”

“Clients continue to turn to Weber Shandwick on critical issues that require a data-driven, human-led approach to crisis management in EMEA and around the world,” said Peter Duda, President of Global Crisis and Issues. “Further building out our strong senior team in EMEA will allow us to continue to lead and help our clients address the increasingly complex challenges they face.’

Alongside Clayton and Fry, Weber Shandwick’s crisis management capability is built of leading crisis and reputation management counselors across all EMEA markets, who have helped leading clients manage some of the most significant issues facing their businesses and preserve their business and societal license to operate. Their innovative and forward-thinking approach to current reputational topics helps clients address emerging risks, including misinformation and disinformation, cybersecurity threats, the rise of AI, geopolitical challenges and employee and labor relations – alongside ongoing challenges related to brand safety, government and regulatory issues, business operations, litigation, organizational change and business and financial communications – ensuring clients are equipped to navigate complex environments with confidence.