LONDON — Weber Shandwick has named former FleishmanHillard and Edelman leader Hugh Taggart as the new CEO of the firm’s EMEA region.

Taggart had served as CEO of FleishmanHillard’s UK business since the start of 2024, where he led a team of 200 practitioners. It was announced yesterday that he would be succeeded in that role by Marshall Manson, previously the agency’s chair of corporate affairs, digital and insight.

Taggart takes over the Weber Shandwick leadership role from former EMEA CEO Michael Frohlich, who left the agency last month.

Before joining FleishmanHillard, Taggart was the co-CEO of Edelman UK, where he oversaw a period of rapid growth and cultural transformation and also served as global crisis chair. On his departure, former co-CEO Ruth Warder stepped up as Edelman’s UK & Ireland CEO.

The move comes as FleishmanHillard owner Omnicom proceeds with its acquisition of IPG, the holding company whose PR agency stable includes Weber Shandwick.

In his new role, Taggart will report to Weber Shandwick global president Jim O’Leary and will oversee more than 1,400 practitioners across the firm’s second-largest global region. Weber Shandwick’s EMEA division spans 22 offices, including operations in London, Berlin, Paris, Brussels, Dubai and Johannesburg.

Greg Prager, who had served as interim EMEA CEO after Frohlich’s exit, has been named president, Weber Advisory in EMEA. He will also oversee several of Weber Shandwick's European markets and report to Taggart.

“Every so often an opportunity is put in front of you that is impossible to say no to – this is one,” said Taggart. “From my conversations with the leaders at Weber Shandwick, it’s clear that this is an agency not only with an exciting vision for the future but a firm that’s already delivering on it. The next few years are not without their challenges; however, I’ve been energized by the ambition and action of the firm and I’m looking forward to joining the talented team and building on the many successes they have had.”

O’Leary added: “Hugh has been successfully advising CEOs and other C-suite executives for decades, consistently demonstrating smart counsel, strong leadership and a talent for inspiring high-performing teams. As the modern CEO agenda becomes increasingly complex across the region, I’m confident Hugh and Greg are the right leaders to help our clients meet this moment.” 

Before joining Edelman, Taggart was the managing director of Bell Pottinger’s Engage practice and was a part of the start-up success of Betfair, now one of the world’s biggest gaming companies, where he worked in senior corporate affairs roles in the UK and Australia.

Weber Shandwick was recently named as one of the 10 UK Agencies of the Year by PRovoke Media, as well as being included on the 50 Best Agencies in Continental Europe and 10 Best Agencies in the Middle East lists.