HNT.L Regulatory News (HNT)

24 June 2013

Huntsworth plc

Huntsworth to appoint its first Chief Executive for Asia-Pacific

Huntsworth plc, the international PR and healthcare communications group, today announced that Bob Pickard will be appointed to the newly created position of Chief Executive Officer for Asia-Pacific, with effect from January 2014.

Pickard will be responsible for growing the Group's global brands in the region, which include Grayling, Huntsworth Health and Citigate. He will also play a central role in the strategic alliance with BlueFocus, China's leading PR company which, as announced in April this year, and subject to shareholder and regulatory approval, is making a £36.5 million investment in Huntsworth. Reporting to Huntsworth's Group CEO, Peter Chadlington, Pickard will continue to be based in Singapore, where he will establish Huntworth's new regional headquarters.

With more than 23 years of public relations industry experience gained across five countries, Pickard has served as a senior agency executive in Asia for the past decade, during which time he was the North Asia President of Edelman, and most recently the Asia-Pacific CEO of Burson-Marsteller. 

Peter Chadlington commented: "This appointment marks not only an important step in Huntsworth's development and ambition in Asia-Pacific, but is also the first tangible step in preparing Huntsworth for the opportunities that our strategic alliance with BlueFocus will bring. Bob has an outstanding track record in the region and I'm confident that he will make a big impact on the scale of our operations and the development of our brands."

Pickard has extensive experience serving clients in sectors including automotive, energy, financial, healthcare, resources, technology, and transportation. He has a long history of involvement in sustainability issues and has significant expertise in social media communications and the rise of Asia in the public relations industry. He was named 'Agency Head of the Year' at the Asia-Pacific PR awards in 2012.

Contacts:

Huntsworth plc +44 (0)20 7224 8778

Peter Chadlington, Chief Executive

Sally Withey, Chief Operating Officer and Finance Director

Citigate Dewe Rogerson +44 (0)20 7638 9571

Simon Rigby

Angharad Couch