LONDON—Chris Talago is to leave his role as WE Communications EMEA chief after eight years with the agency, the Holmes Report can reveal.

Talago will formally depart the business at the start of May. WE Communications co-founder and global CEO Melissa Waggener Zorkin takes on interim charge of the region, which includes offices in the UK, Germany and South Africa.

Talago joined Waggener Edstrom, as it was then known, in 2008 as EMEA EVP and GM. Under his leadership he has overseen considerable change in the firm's regional operations, including expansion in South Africa and Germany, and retrenchment in France and Switzerland.

WE Communications rebranded last year, as part of a global plan to restructure its offering following a slowdown in growth. However, Talago denied that this prompted his departure, noting that the firm had grown and diversified in EMEA under his leadership tenure.

"The company in EMEA has gone from strength to strength," said Talago, referencing the firm's regular contention for Consultancy of the Year honours. "After eight years, which is a very long time in the agency world, it became apparent it was the right time to do something different."

He added that he will take stock, after a one-month sabbatical last year, before deciding on his next move. Prior to WE, Talago spent almost three years as AMD's EMEA communications director. His career also includes senior roles at H+K Strategies and Text 100.

A WE Communications spokesperson confirmed the news and said that EMEA leadership plans would be made public soon.