LONDON — Jim Donaldson, FleishmanHillard’s UK and Middle East CEO, is leaving the agency after nearly nine years.

Donaldson joined the Omnicom agency at the start of 2015 from Weber Shandwick, where he spent nearly four years as EMEA corporate communications EVP. He was previously at Hill+Knowlton Strategies for more than 15 years, latterly leading its operations across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

As Donaldson joined FH, it merged with London sister agency Fishburn to create FleishmanHillard Fishburn, under the leadership of Donaldson as CEO and Ali Gee, previously Fishburn CEO, as deputy CEO of the combined firm. In 2021, the agency dropped the 30-year-old Fishburn brand, and at the end of last year, Gee moved into a new role as global MD of client strategy.

During his time at FleishmanHillard, Donaldson has grown the UK operation by around two and a half times. In 2019, it was named as PRovoke Media’s UK consultancy of the year and was shortlisted for the title in 2020 and 2021. The agency has also received accreditation from the National Equality Standard for its DE&I practices.

FleishmanHillard has started its search for a new market leader. Donaldson is set to depart in early 2024 and is working with Faith Howe, managing director of talent development, on succession and continuity of leadership.

Donaldson’s next move is not yet confirmed. He told PRovoke Media: “There have been some huge highs over the last few years at FH – including winning PRovoke’s Agency of the Year of course – in a rollercoaster period of a major merger and managing through Covid, coupled with every other challenge you can imagine. I am now looking forward to doing some new things using my skills and experience in a different way. Let’s see what the next chapter brings.”

He added: “For the best part of a decade, FleishmanHillard has been a central and very enjoyable part of my life. So it is going to be a big wrench to leave such a great agency with so many brilliant people and close friends, particularly after all we have achieved together. But life moves on and I have some new things to do and new challenges I want to take on in 2024 and beyond. I have no doubt that FH will continue to thrive both in London and around the world.”

FleishmanHillard CEO John Saunders said: “Jim has been a dedicated advocate for his team and has retained and attracted great staff who have also played pivotal roles in the growth of our business in the United Kingdom. Jim is leaving us in a much better place than he found us, and I am truly grateful to him for taking on the challenge and for the results he delivered for the firm. I wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors.”