LONDON — Edelman EMEA chief operating officer Jon Hughes is leaving the agency after four years, with former global technology chair Justin Westcott stepping into the COO role.

Hughes joined Edelman in 2021 as a senior advisor, after leaving Golin in 2019; he had been with the IPG agency for 14 years, latterly as one of three global CEOs. He took on the EMEA COO role at Edelman in 2023.

In a LinkedIn post, Hughes (pictured, left) said: “After four great years with Edelman, I am leaving to take on an exciting new challenge. More to come on that later… As clients know, Edelman is an amazing agency with relentless ambition fuelled by some of the brightest, most talented people in the business. It has been an absolute privilege and honour to have been able to play a small part in its journey.”

Hughes described Edelman EMEA president and CEO AJ Hesselink as “an outstanding leader, boss and friend” and said of his successor “I want to wish Justin every success in his new role and everyone at Edelman all the best for the future.”

Hesselink said: “We are incredibly grateful to Jon for his leadership and contributions to our EMEA region. His dedication to driving operational excellence and fostering collaboration has left a lasting impact on our business.”

Westcott (pictured, right) has been with Edelman for more than 18 years. As well as the new COO role, he will retain an interest in the technology practice as senior technology advisor for EMEA. In his previous role, he co-led the firm’s AI Strategy Committee, positioning Edelman as a thought leader in AI and digital transformation.

Previously, Westcott served as COO of Edelman UK and led its technology practice in EMEA and the UK. Earlier in his career, he played a pivotal role in Edelman’s Middle East business, serving as general manager of the Dubai office and leading the region’s technology and consumer practices. Beyond Edelman, he mentors technology start-ups and advises high-growth companies on scaling and innovation.

As COO, Westcott has been tasked with enhancing efficiency, fostering collaboration across Edelman’s markets, and ensuring the firm continues to deliver for clients. He will oversee key markets including Spain, Italy, Africa, and Ireland, and lead on integration of Edelman’s specialized solutions and AI-driven strategies.

He said: “The communications landscape is evolving at speed, and so is Edelman. I’m excited to take on this role at such a transformative time, helping to shape the next chapter of Edelman’s growth in EMEA. AI, digital transformation, and new ways of working are redefining what’s possible for our clients and for our business. I look forward to working with our exceptional teams across the region to push the boundaries of what we can achieve together.”

Westcott will report to Hesselink, who said: “We are confident that Justin’s deep operational expertise, technology acumen, and leadership will build on this strong foundation and drive Edelman EMEA’s continued evolution. Having worked with Justin for many years, I’ve seen firsthand his ability to inspire teams, solve challenges, and drive transformational change.

“His proven ability to lead transformation and embrace innovation makes him the right choice to shape the future of our business. I look forward to working alongside him as we strengthen our capabilities and deliver even greater impact for our clients.”