LONDON — Edelman has confirmed its new UK leadership, promoting Hugh Taggart and Ruth Warder to co-CEOs.

Taggart and Warder have been leading the UK business, along with Justin Westcott, since former UK & Ireland chief Ed Williams was elevated to the role of EMEA president and CEO in September 2019. At the time, the agency said it was mounting an "extensive search" to identify Williams' successor as UK chief.

In addition to their new roles, Taggart will continue as global head of crisis and Warder will continue as EMEA chair of brand. Westcott will take on additional responsibilities at a regional level and maintain his role as COO.

Williams said the UK business had “performed exceptionally well” over the past 18 months and the trio had “demonstrated real strength, resilience and commitment to our clients and employees. This is all the more remarkable given the challenges of leading during a global pandemic.

“Their success puts us in an incredibly strong position for the future. All three are outstanding leaders and their model of integrated leadership brings the best to our clients.”

Last month, Edelman promoted four senior US staffers to regional leadership roles.