ABU DHABI—Edelman is restructuring its leadership in the Middle East and Africa, moving Tod Donhauser to oversee a UAE operation that now houses separate brand and reputation units.

Donhauser takes on the role after previously leading Edelman South Africa. Jordan Rittenberry moves from Edelman Chicago to become MD in South Africa.

The UAE reorganisation follows last year's acquisition of local Dubai firm Dabo; the Edelman Dabo unit now functions as the brand business, while the remainder of Edelman's 160-strong workforce in the market makes up the reputation unit.

Edelman South Asia, Middle East and Africa CEO Rob Holdheim (pictured) told the Holmes Report that the reorganisation follows a similar move in India, to make operations "more client-centric" and reflect a broad restructuring of roles across the global agency.

"You bring in new talent and new ways of doing things, that necessitates a structural change," said Holdheim. "It represents a simplification of our structure, to two P&Ls."

Former Edelman Dabo MD Jason Leavy becomes brand MD, with corporate head Jacob Drake taking on a similar role for reputation. Nicola McAlpine, who was previously GM of Edelman UAE, has transferred to a global client lead role based in New York.

Dabo founders Camilla and Lucy d’Abo round out the Edelman UAE executive committee.

In South Africa, meanwhile, Rittenberry moves from his previous role as EVP at Edelman Chicago, where he led the technology sector and business marketing practice. Since acquiring Baird's in 2013, Edelman has grown from 12 to 30 people in the country.

"The stage that the business in South Africa is at now, we’ve integrated the acquisition — it’s still quite small but the foundation is there," said Holdheim. "We need someone to take it, build it, add capability on the consumer side, and really take the business to the next level."