BRUSSELS — Grayling has appointed Jessica Brobald as its new managing director in Brussels.

Brobald joins Grayling from Ketchum in Brussels, where she was head of public affairs and Advocacy and helped lead the integration of Ketchum and Porter Novelli into PNKetchum+.

Before joining the Omnicom agencies in 2021, she was an associate director at Hanover in Brussels, and was also a public affairs manager at plants sciences company Syngenta. Brobald has worked with EU institutions across policy areas including science and innovation, chemicals, agri-food and environment, the circular economy and healthcare.

Brobald replaces Russell Patten, who left Grayling last year after 19 years to become director general of the European Partnership for Energy and Environment.

In her new role, Brobald will lead the growth and development of the Brussels office, overseeing day-to-day operations and driving integration with the rest of the agency’s European network.

Grayling executive chairman Richard Jukes said: "We are thrilled to formally welcome Jessica to Grayling. She brings enormous value to our business and significant EU experience, having counselled and run successful advocacy campaigns in Brussels for national and international companies, NGOs and associations. With a new EU term approaching, I am confident she will deliver strategic and political insight for our clients and drive continued growth within our Brussels team.”

Brobald added: “Brussels is a key element of Grayling’s extensive European and global network. At a time of uncertain and challenging geo-political and economic outlook, Brussels will remain a focal point for organisations looking to influence EU and international policy. Our office here has a great group of public affairs and communications experts, and I am convinced that we will continue rising to that challenge."