Westbourne Communications is pleased to announce the appointment of Kate McFerran as its new partner in charge of reputation practice. Ms McFerran’s role will include expanding Westbourne’s reputation and corporate communications offer and applying her strategic communications expertise to a wide range of clients.

With over 15 years of international communications experience, Ms McFerran specialises in advising companies on complex reputation and communication strategies. She boasts a wealth of experience in corporate reputation, media relations, CSR, crisis and issues management and internal communication and has a track record of leading projects with a high degree of difficulty.

Her sector experience includes property development, manufacturing and supply chain, energy, FMCG and employment services. Prior to joining Westbourne, Ms McFerran worked in leading agencies where she created and delivered corporate reputation programmes for blue-chip companies including P&G, Philips, Coca-Cola Enterprises, E.ON, United Biscuits and RSA.

Westbourne is known for its work with disruptive technologies in energy and transport, as well as pioneering clients including LinkedIn, Hitachi, Centrica and HS2 who are involved in some of the biggest issues in the UK and beyond.

Westbourne managing director James Bethell says, “Communications is now integrated within organisations more than ever before. Comms directors need experienced advisers that can support them in consistently communicating with and influencing important audiences. Kate’s experience perfectly complements this and we are delighted to have her as part of Westbourne’s partnership team.”

Ms McFerran says, “Westbourne has been ahead of the curve in meeting a growing demand for reputation, engagement and advocacy programmes, as well as identifying a greater drive for more integration across the comms spectrum. I am therefore thrilled to be joining Westbourne at this time and look forward to bringing our integrated communications solutions to an even greater range of clients.”

Ms McFerran’s appointment comes at a time of rapid growth for Westbourne Communications, which increased its revenue by 46% in 2014. Last month Westbourne appointed esteemed business leader Luke Johnson as its chairman and earlier this year hired former Home Secretary Jacqui Smith as chair of its advocacy practice.