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Edelman Shakes Up EMEA Leadership Team
(MENAFN- PRovoke)
LONDON - Edelman has reshaped its EMEA leadership team, with Julian Payne named as EMEA CEO as Arent Jan (AJ) Hesselink departs the firm after a decade.
In addition, Justin Westcott has been appointed as Middle East CEO, in addition to his role as EMEA chief operating officer.
Hesselink (pictured, left) has played a central role in shaping Edelman's EMEA business, having previously served as general manager of Amsterdam and EMEA COO before becoming regional CEO in 2023. He will remain with Edelman until June 1 to support the transition.
Edelman's international president Ed Williams said:“AJ has made an outstanding contribution to Edelman over the past ten years. He has helped build a more integrated, resilient and high-performing EMEA business, and has led the region through a period of extraordinary complexity with clarity and determination. Just as importantly, he has built a strong leadership team and a culture that reflects the very best of our firm. We are grateful for everything he has done and wish him every success in what comes next.”
Payne (pictured, right) will assume the role of CEO, EMEA, alongside his current responsibilities as global chair of crisis and risk. During the transition, he will continue in his role as UK CEO, which he took on last summer after Ruth Warder moved in-house to become global CCO at Chanel.
Payne joined Edelman in 2021 and has held senior leadership roles across corporate affairs and crisis advisory including as chair of corporate affairs for EMEA. He has more than 30 years of experience across agency and in-house roles, including senior positions at the BBC, Burberry, and Sky, as well as serving as communications secretary to the King and Queen in their roles as Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall.
Williams added:“Julian is a highly experienced leader with deep expertise in reputation, corporate affairs and leadership communications. Since taking on leadership of our UK business, he has been focused on driving growth through diversification of our capabilities into sectors like sport and luxury, while deepening expertise and integration across the market.
“He has also had a significant impact on our broader business, strengthening our corporate offering and advising clients through complex, high-stakes situations. He brings sound judgement, strong client instincts and a clear sense of where our industry is heading. I am confident he will build on the strong foundation in EMEA and lead the region into its next phase.”
Payne said:“It's a privilege to take on the role of CEO for EMEA at such a dynamic moment for our business and our industry. We are operating in a more complex environment than ever before, geopolitically, technologically and socially, and our clients need clear, integrated and forward-looking counsel. Edelman has exceptional talent across the region, and I'm excited to work with our teams to build on our momentum, deepen our capabilities and continue delivering for our clients. It really is a fantastic time to be in communications.”
Westcott (pictured, centre) will take on the additional role of CEO, Middle East, while continuing as EMEA COO – a role he took on a year ago after the departure of Jon Hughes to Burson as EMEA CEO. Westcott has held a number of senior roles at Edelman, including global technology chair, UK COO, and previously served in the Middle East, where he also led the Dubai office.
Williams said:“Justin's appointment reflects both the importance of the Middle East to Edelman's future growth and the strength of his leadership across the region. He combines deep regional knowledge with operational and technological expertise and has a proven ability to drive transformation and build high-performing teams. He will play a critical role in accelerating our growth in this important area of the world.”
Westcott added:“The Middle East represents a significant opportunity for Edelman, with ambitious clients and rapidly evolving markets. Having worked in the region earlier in my career, I've seen first-hand its pace of growth and potential. I'm looking forward to working with our teams to continue building a business that brings together our full range of capabilities to deliver impact for clients across the region.”
In addition, Justin Westcott has been appointed as Middle East CEO, in addition to his role as EMEA chief operating officer.
Hesselink (pictured, left) has played a central role in shaping Edelman's EMEA business, having previously served as general manager of Amsterdam and EMEA COO before becoming regional CEO in 2023. He will remain with Edelman until June 1 to support the transition.
Edelman's international president Ed Williams said:“AJ has made an outstanding contribution to Edelman over the past ten years. He has helped build a more integrated, resilient and high-performing EMEA business, and has led the region through a period of extraordinary complexity with clarity and determination. Just as importantly, he has built a strong leadership team and a culture that reflects the very best of our firm. We are grateful for everything he has done and wish him every success in what comes next.”
Payne (pictured, right) will assume the role of CEO, EMEA, alongside his current responsibilities as global chair of crisis and risk. During the transition, he will continue in his role as UK CEO, which he took on last summer after Ruth Warder moved in-house to become global CCO at Chanel.
Payne joined Edelman in 2021 and has held senior leadership roles across corporate affairs and crisis advisory including as chair of corporate affairs for EMEA. He has more than 30 years of experience across agency and in-house roles, including senior positions at the BBC, Burberry, and Sky, as well as serving as communications secretary to the King and Queen in their roles as Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall.
Williams added:“Julian is a highly experienced leader with deep expertise in reputation, corporate affairs and leadership communications. Since taking on leadership of our UK business, he has been focused on driving growth through diversification of our capabilities into sectors like sport and luxury, while deepening expertise and integration across the market.
“He has also had a significant impact on our broader business, strengthening our corporate offering and advising clients through complex, high-stakes situations. He brings sound judgement, strong client instincts and a clear sense of where our industry is heading. I am confident he will build on the strong foundation in EMEA and lead the region into its next phase.”
Payne said:“It's a privilege to take on the role of CEO for EMEA at such a dynamic moment for our business and our industry. We are operating in a more complex environment than ever before, geopolitically, technologically and socially, and our clients need clear, integrated and forward-looking counsel. Edelman has exceptional talent across the region, and I'm excited to work with our teams to build on our momentum, deepen our capabilities and continue delivering for our clients. It really is a fantastic time to be in communications.”
Westcott (pictured, centre) will take on the additional role of CEO, Middle East, while continuing as EMEA COO – a role he took on a year ago after the departure of Jon Hughes to Burson as EMEA CEO. Westcott has held a number of senior roles at Edelman, including global technology chair, UK COO, and previously served in the Middle East, where he also led the Dubai office.
Williams said:“Justin's appointment reflects both the importance of the Middle East to Edelman's future growth and the strength of his leadership across the region. He combines deep regional knowledge with operational and technological expertise and has a proven ability to drive transformation and build high-performing teams. He will play a critical role in accelerating our growth in this important area of the world.”
Westcott added:“The Middle East represents a significant opportunity for Edelman, with ambitious clients and rapidly evolving markets. Having worked in the region earlier in my career, I've seen first-hand its pace of growth and potential. I'm looking forward to working with our teams to continue building a business that brings together our full range of capabilities to deliver impact for clients across the region.”
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