LONDON – 8020 Communications, a strategic communications specialist for the aviation, travel and mobility sectors, has hired Julia Farish as a PR director to strengthen its offer for hospitality brands, destinations and tour operators.

Farish joins the agency from IHG Hotels & Resorts, where she worked as a senior member of the Europe and global corporate communications team, representing hospitality brands including InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Six Senses and Regent.

Before joining IHG at the start of 2022, Farish was a director at specialist agency Travel PR for 16 years, leading integrated campaigns for hotel groups, individual hotels and resorts, tourist boards, tour operators, travel trade organisations, airlines, villa companies and other accommodation providers.

Previously, Farish was joint head of consumer at Good Relations, working with clients such as PizzaExpress, Pantene, Iams Petfood, Tesco, Canderel, Nescafé and The Royal Mint.

The agency’s CEO Marc Cornelius, who founded 8020 Communications in 2008, told PRovoke Media: “People’s travel spending is holding up well despite the cost of living crisis, so we see a big opportunity to grow further in the consumer travel market. Julia’s expertise nicely complements our own and she is a great fit with us culturally. We’re excited about broadening our client base together.”