LONDON — Veteran public affairs and communications leader Liam Herbert has joined the London office of Rud Pedersen Group as a director.

Herbert previously spent more than eight years at Chelgate where, as chief executive, he led the business across its London and Brussels offices.

In his new role, Herbert will counsel UK and international clients, bringing 20 years’ experience in strategic communications across a range of sectors, including reputation management, media relations and political communications with a focus on crisis, issues and litigation.

Herbert started his career with the BBC and has held senior roles in-house at Imperial Brands, Royal Doulton, Midlands Electricity and the City of London Police. His consultancy experience has included advising clients in regulated industries, the education and social care sectors as well as public limited companies and high-profile brands in London and Brussels. He is also currently chair of the PRCA Public Affairs Board.

Rud Pedersen’s UK managing partner and group director of strategic development said: “Liam brings us deep and diverse experience, and a strong network built up over three decades. We’re thrilled that he has made the decision to come on board with the Rud Pedersen project.

“We had a highly successful first year in London, attracting fascinating assignments and assembling a highly talented and motivated team. We have already kicked off 2023 with strong momentum, well placed to support clients in solving their critical public affairs and strategic communications challenges as they navigate the British political landscape.”

Herbert added: “Rud Pedersen is a hugely successful and respected business in its core markets and over the last year the London office has quickly established itself as a centre of excellence and expertise within the UK marketplace. It’s an exciting proposition with fresh Nordic values of enterprise, efficiency and excellence and I am looking forward to working with the team to grow the business and our reputation in London”.

The London office of Swedish-headquartered firm Rud Pedersen, which was opened with former Sard Verbinnen leader Aarons at the helm in January 2022, has recruited a number of other senior professionals in recent months, including geopolitics, defence and security specialist Reg Pula.

This month the firm also hired Reiner Hoffmann, former chairman of the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB), as a senior advisor in Germany. Rud Pedersen opened its fifth new market in Europe last July, in Bulgaria, and in May took a stake in French public affairs firm CNTVRS as part of its European expansion plans.