BRUSSELS — Communications and government relations firm Hume Brophy has appointed former UK government negotiator Rory O’Donnell to a newly-created role as managing director of international agriculture, food and trade.

O’Donnell, who has negotiated in Europe on issues including trade, agriculture, fisheries and Brexit, joins Hume Brophy from the UK Mission to the EU, where he was responsible for the Withdrawal Agreement and the Northern Ireland Protocol. He was previously director for trade and the UK’s principal negotiator across a range of agriculture issues.

Before his move to Brussels, O’Donnell worked in various UK government departments on policy issues including communications, animal health, local authority performance and urban regeneration.

In his new role at the 80-strong agency, which has operations in Brussels, Dublin, London, Frankfurt, Paris and Singapore, O’Donnell is tasked with leading the growth of Hume Brophy’s agriculture and trade practice worldwide, working with the firm’s regional managing directors, senior specialists located across key markets, and senior advisers.

He will report to Hume Brophy CEO Conall McDevitt, who said: “This is a major coup for our firm, and a clear statement of intent for our ambition to become a major force internationally in agriculture, food and trade. This sector’s communications and government relations is already a core Hume Brophy offer and one where we see significant growth potential in the years ahead. Rory brings a unique perspective having been a senior diplomat in Brussels, senior UK civil servant and having led negotiations on a range of issues.”

O’Donnell added: “My knowledge and experience of how both the UK and EU work will enable me to provide strategic advice right across agriculture, food and trade and I look forward to working with colleagues in Hume Brophy to realise our ambition for growth.”