LONDON — Hill+Knowlton Strategies has recruited Scott Dodsworth to head up its public affairs team in the UK, with a specific focus on the energy, industrials and defence sectors.

Dodsworth joins from British multinational defence, aerospace and security company BAE Systems, where he was head of strategic planning and had also been chief of staff to the CEO and a director of parliamentary relations.

As part of the senior leadership team, he had a global  overview of how BAE Systems’ operations and government relationships informed and contributed to company strategy and international campaigns. He previously spent six years as a senior political advisor at FleishmanHillard.

“Working with government has shown me there is a need for a fresh approach to public affairs as part of a broader public relations offer,” said Dodsworth, “and that’s exactly what H+K is giving me the opportunity to do in the UK and on an international level.”

H+K UK CEO Simon Whitehead added: “I am delighted that Scott is joining us in London to spearhead the expansion of our public affairs efforts. With his government and strategic background, Scott will continue to redefine and modernise our public affairs offer as well as connecting it to the broader stakeholder and communications work with do with many clients in the UK.”