LONDON—Weber Shandwick has promoted consumer MD Rachel Friend to the newly-created position of London MD.

Friend will continue reporting to Colin Byrne, who retains the UK CEO position, in addition to his overall EMEA leadership remit.

The promotion comes four years after Friend joined Weber Shandwick from Sainsbury's as London consumer MD. Last year, she was named chair of the firm's EMEA consumer practice.

"Rachel has been a close colleague and a real change agent with our firm for some years," said Byrne. "I look forward to working with her in her new role to take Weber Shandwick in London, one of the most important PR markets in the world, to its next stage of evolution, growth and continued success."

Prior to joining Sainsbury's in 2008, Friend was UK consumer head at Hill+Knowlton Strategies.