BRUSSELS — Instinctif Partners has appointed Brandon Mitchener as its new managing partner in Brussels, succeeding Wes Himes, who is returning to the UK to pursue other opportunities.

Mitchener was a journalist for Dow Jones Newswires, the International Herald Tribune and the Wall Street Journal in New York, Frankfurt and Brussels before moving into PR. After working with APCO Europe in Brussels, he led corporate communications at First Solar across EMEA and parts of Asia before joining Monsanto as head of communications for Europe and the Middle East. Most recently, he was CEO of the European Business Aviation Association in Brussels.

He said: “I remember the days when Wes and Lucy Cronin [managing partner of Instinctif’s Dublin office] lobbied me on the EU Copyright Directive when I was still a journalist at the Wall Street Journal. I developed a respect for them both then that helped make it easy to join Instinctif today.”

Over the course of his career Mitchener has advised big businesses, associations, NGOs and governments on media relations, crisis communications, online communications and European public affairs strategies. A citizen of the US and France, he has also acted as spokesman for Democrats Abroad Belgium.

Himes has led the Brussels office of Instinctif Partners for nearly 10 years. He set up its predecessor company, Policy Action, in 1999, before it was sold to Instinctif in 2013, and has specialised in coalition management and public affairs.

He said: “I am delighted to see someone of Brandon’s calibre take over the reins at Instinctif Partners in Brussels. It has been a pleasure and honour working with our clients and the many invaluable colleagues over the years.”

Warwick Smith, senior managing partner in Instinctif’s public policy practice added: “Wes’ contribution to the Brussels office and the company as a whole has been enormous. Filling his shoes will be no easy task. We are delighted that someone with the experience and distinguished career that Brandon brings to the party is joining us.”