MOSCOW—PBN Hill+Knowlton Strategies has named a new CEO, with the firm's founders moving into senior advisory roles.

PBN has promoted agency veteran Myron Wasylyk to CEO, overseeing the agency's operations in Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and the US. Co-founders Peter Necarsulmer and Susan Thurman, who were also chairman/CEO and president, respectively, take on new positions.

Necarsulmer becomes executive chairman while Thurman will serve as vice-chair and senior advisor. Both will remain in Moscow, and retain a significant stake alongside majority shareholder WPP.

A partner and shareholder in the firm, Wasylyk established and then directed the company’s Ukraine office since 1996, where he was also responsible for clients and operations in Azerbaijan, Moldova, and other CIS countries.

“Promotion from within PBN Hill+Knowlton Strategies will ensure that our trademark high level client service and strategic counsel will continue going forward,” said Peter Necarsulmer.  “No one is more qualified to lead the firm in this period of growth and expansion than Myron Wasylyk, our partner of 17 years.”

16-year PBN veteran Oksana Monastyrska, who runs the firm's corporate, crisis, and marketing communications practices in Ukraine, succeeds Wasylyk as VP and MD of the Ukraine operation from the start of next year. In addition senior counselor Philip Griffin has been named director of government relations in the same office.

PBN was merged with H+K at the start of 2012, when WPP — which bought a 49.9% stake in the business in 2007, increased its stake in the Russian firm to 75%. Founded in 1983, PBN was named 2013 Russia Consultancy of the Year by the Holmes Report.