LONDON — Brunswick Group has appointed a new cybersecurity communications specialist as a partner, to strengthen its cybersecurity and data privacy practice group.

Nicola Hudson joins the strategic communications consultancy this week after holding several senior roles in the UK government, most recently as director of policy and communications at the UK National Cyber Security Centre and as a member of the executive board at Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ).

Hudson previously managed the UK prime minister’s press office, as head of news and head of events between 2013 and 2016. In the lead up to the 2012 London Olympics, she also served as deputy director of government Olympic communications. Before that, she was associate director of group communications at global risk consultancy Control Risks.

Brunswick CEO Neal Wolin said: “Cybersecurity is a board-level issue that is only increasing in importance. Nicola’s policy and communications experience in cybersecurity and crisis will be immensely valuable for our clients.”

Hudson added: “Cybersecurity issues continue to dominate the headlines and impact every business in a myriad of ways. I look forward to working with the team to help clients across the world navigate both threat and opportunity, while protecting their reputation in an increasingly challenging and complex landscape.”