LONDON--MHP Communications has shifted Mark Cater to a new role heading the firm's corporate practice.

Cater succeeds Paul Baverstock, who departed MHP last year and now heads Fortitude Partners.

Cater's new position comes after he joined MHP as a managing director in early 2012. He is charged with expanding MHP's 30-strong corporate practice into new international markets.

“Mark’s extensive experience in delivering communication consultancy across multiple markets makes him the ideal candidate to take our corporate team to the next phase in its development," said MHP chief executive Gavin Devine.

Devine pointed in particular to Cater's experience across the Middle East, US and Asia, "which are key expansion areas for MHP."

Previously, Cater had worked as Cohn & Wolfe's New York head, following a spell as regional director for the WPP firm across EMEA. Earlier in his career, Cater was global director Ketchum London and New York.

"As we expand internationally, the firm’s corporate offer will be right at the centre - connecting our strong UK offer across a pan-regional framework that supports the needs of our diverse client base,” said Cater.