LONDON — Edelman's UK & Ireland co-CEO, Hugh Taggart, is leaving at the end of this month, after nearly six years with the business. 

Ruth Warder, who became co-CEO along with Taggart in 2021, will become chief executive of Edelman UK & Ireland.

Taggart joined the agency in 2017 after the collapse of Bell Pottinger, where he had been an MD and partner for five years, and led Edelman’s EMEA corporate affairs practice for four years before his elevation to co-CEO. He previously led communications for betting firm Betfair.

On their promotion to co-CEOs, Taggart (pictured, right) retained his role as Edelman’s global head of crisis and Warder (left) remained as EMEA brand chair, a role she has had since 2019. She joined the firm in 2013, and was previously managing director of Jackie Cooper PR – which was acquired by Edelman in 2004 – for more than 10 years.

In a statement, Edelman said: “Hugh Taggart, co-CEO of Edelman UK & Ireland and global head of crisis, will be leaving the business at the end of May. Together with Ruth Warder as co-CEOs, they have helped to further transform the UK business into a truly integrated communications agency.

“As global head of crisis, Hugh has been central to the transformation of the global crisis practice, and most notably led the firm’s global Taskforce response to coronavirus. We thank him for his contributions and commitments over the last six years and wish him well in his next challenge.”

Taggart’s next move is not yet known. His departure is the latest in a number of senior changes at Edelman in the UK. In March, Gavin Spicer was promoted to COO after leading Edelman’s dedicated Microsoft team in London, Assembly. He replaced Justin Westcott, who is now global technology chair. And in February, Edelman’s UK corporate reputation MD Jeremy Lucas left the agency to join Hotwire as its first UK chief executive.