LONDON—Tom Berry is departing FleishmanHillard after 18 months as the firm's UK technology head.

Berry will take charge of independent consultancy Chameleon at the beginning of November, assuming the CEO role that was previously held by founder Helen Holland. Holland, the founder of parent company Reptile Group, becomes chair.

“Mario Puzo invented the ‘offer you cannot refuse’; but, in this case, I didn’t need Luca Brasi to convince me to take the CEO role at Chameleon,” said Berry. “Yes, I am very sad to leave FleishmanHillard behind, but I have always been a huge fan of Chameleon and the excellent business that Helen Holland has created.”

Berry joined FH in 2012 after seven years at Next 15 agencies Bite Communications and Inferno. The former FT journalist said that Chameleon's ambition and appetite for growth ultimately proved decisive.

“My background in journalism and content-driven communications, I hope, will help Chameleon and its clients to develop rich and exciting campaigns that cross traditional communications disciplines," added Berry. "I also hope we are going to have a lot of fun.”

Having known Tom since he was a journalist, and following his move into the communications world, he has been the one to watch," said Holland. "Tom brings the credibility, knowledge and passion that is required for the next phase of our industry and for Chameleon."