LONDON — Corporate affairs and communications agency Blakeney has appointed Philip Honour as a director as it embarks on expansion plans in the UK and internationally.

Honour joins after seven years at Porter Novelli, where he latterly led the agency’s global marketing activities, including partnerships with organisations such as SXSW, One Young World and Giving Tuesday. He also advised clients on entertainment and social impact activities.

Before joining Porter Novelli, Honour worked in various business development roles. He started his career as a music promoter.

In his new role, Honour will be focused on business development and marketing, working alongside Blakeney CEO and founder Gabe Winn and the broader leadership team on the next phase of the agency’s growth, including expansion into as-yet-unnamed new global markets for the first time. 

The hire is the latest in a series of senior appointments at Blakeney, with three new partners joining in January, including Michael Pooley, a former CEO of WPP-owned Australia and New Zealand communications agency PPR, and most recently head of corporate affairs for Australian retail bank Westpac.

Also named as partners were Lara Cornwall, who joined from BCW, where she was a senior director in the corporate and public affairs team, and Kate Thurlwell, formerly chief talent officer at global brand agency Exposure.

Winn said that over the past two years Blakeney had more than doubled its headcount to 25 people in the UK, and in 2021 revenues grew by 50%: “Blakeney has a reputation for recruiting and developing exceptional people, and Philip is our latest outstanding hire this year. Blakeney has ambitious plans for growth in the UK and internationally, and Philip’s experience and expertise will be crucial to helping us achieve them.”

Honour added: “I have been a Blakeney fan for a long time and have witnessed the impact the team has had on the reputation of their clients as well as the broader industries they work within. I am delighted to have the opportunity to work closely with Gabe and the Blakeney partners on their exciting plans, both in the UK and further afield.”

Blakeney’s clients include Octopus Energy, Virgin Money, Madison Square Garden Entertainment, The Really Useful Group, Co-op and property developer St Modwen.