LONDON — Paris-based communications agency Jin has strengthened its international footprint with the appointment of its first managing director in London.

Simon John joined the agency in August after five years as client managing partner at Dentsu X, where he looked after pan-European client accounts including United Airlines, Lidl, Honda and Enterprise Rent-A-Car.

The appointment follows Jin’s announcement in June that it had raised €3 million in funding from CITA Investment with a view to growing its European presence and becoming Europe’s leading digital-focused communications agency.

John’s remit is to grow the UK business in line with the Paris office, where there are currently 60 employees across consumer, corporate and public affairs. Working alongside other local market managing directors in Paris, Berlin, New York and reporting into international VP Merve Liebelt, he will look to grow Jin’s portfolio in the UK, which already includes clients such as fast food restaurant Jollibee, Virbac, Draeger and Ionity, alongside international clients Google, Halo Top, Chipotle, Pfizer, Michelin, Coca Cola and Tinder.

Jin CEO Edouard Fillias said: “We’re thrilled to have someone of Simon’s experience join Jin and to help us with our next phase of development as we build out our European capabilities. The UK will be a key focus for us as we look to offer our clients the opportunity to partner with us across multiple markets.”

As well as heading up the UK, John will lead key international accounts and will be part of the agency’s management team. He said: “It’s such an exciting time to join Jin. They have a top-table client list, ambitious goals for the future as shown by the recent round of funding and are a part of the sector in growth.

“Speaking to Edouard, it was clear to me he truly believes in integrated communications and delivering positive influence on behalf of clients. Jin’s product suite reflects this mindset, it’s not every day you can offer clients media relations alongside a direct to consumer solution and inbound marketing.”

And he added: “We’ve got a great team in the UK and the one P&L model is seamless in terms of how we work with specialists in other offices. Given the current geo-political climate, it is even more relevant to our clients that JIN is an independent European boutique agency. It means that we can provide guidance and strategies that have a balanced point of view with considerations from both the UK and EU.”