DUBAI—Ketchum Raad has named new leadership following the departure of Nicola Gregson to Grayling last month.

The firm has hired Ashraf Shakah as managing director in Dubai. Shakah joins Ketchum from BPG | Cohn & Wolfe, where he served as a business director.

Shakah brings more than 18 years of experience. Prior to BPG, he held leadership roles at Asda’a Burson-Marsteller in the UAE and Jordan.

"Ashraf's considerable experience in the region aligns very well with our client needs and our plans for continued growth," said Jon Higgins, senior partner and CEO, international, at Ketchum.

Ketchum Raad Middle East was established in 2010 as a joint venture between Ketchum and Middle East/North Africa ad agency network TBWA\Raad.

"Ashraf brings heavyweight experience and the well-rounded perspective of someone who has worked client-side, agency-side and in-house," added TBWA\Raad group CEO Reda Raad. "We were impressed with both the strength of his leadership skills and the subtlety of his new business thinking."