MHP Communications has announced the appointment of Nick Barron as deputy CEO.

In this new role, Barron will work closely with CEO Alex Bigg and chairman Julian Hanson-Smith to drive the growth and transformation of the MHP business and oversee the work of the firm’s corporate affairs, public affairs and brand teams.

Barron joins MHP from Edelman, where he led its 80-strong corporate reputation team for nearly three years. In this time, he grew the department to become the UK’s largest specialist corporate practice and added more than 50 clients to its portfolio, including recently F1, Lagardere, Workspace and DONG Energy. During twelve years with Edelman, he advised clients ranging from Unilever and GSK to Manchester City FC and the Economist Group.

His appointment underscores the ambition that Bigg has for MHP, which has embarked on a wide-ranging recruitment drive to strengthen its position in the market. Since he joined the agency last year, he has implemented a number of changes, including the creation of a new MHP Media Unit, led by Ian Kirby, the former political editor of the News of the World; and staffed by many former national and broadcast journalists, among them Keith Gladdis, the former executive news editor of the Daily Mail, who joined the agency in May.

The announcement also follows a summer of success for the agency, with recent client wins including UK Power Networks, uSwitch, Liverpool Vision and BASF.

Bigg says, “I’m delighted that Nick will be joining us. Having worked with him previously, I know him to be a rare combination – a world-class adviser and a brilliant leader. We are building an industry-leading strategic communications consultancy and he will help us accelerate our work.”

Debbie Klein, chief executive Engine Europe and Asia-Pacific, adds, “Nick’s arrival marks a milestone in the evolution of MHP, which has been growing strongly under Alex Bigg’s leadership. MHP is investing in top talent to build on its strong track record of helping clients solve business problems, and navigate change in a time of great uncertainty. This appointment is a coup.”

Barron says, “The vision for the future of MHP that Debbie, Alex and Julian have set-out is incredibly exciting and I can’t wait to get started. This is an opportunity to create a unique proposition with focus, scale and passion.”