Heather Blundell named MD of Weber Shandwick Manchester

Weber Shandwick has appointed Heather Blundell as MD of its Manchester office. Blundell has been acting MD of the agency’s Manchester office since March 2016 and replaces outgoing MD Jo Leah.

A strategic comms, corporate PR and issues management specialist, Blundell has been promoted into the role having led the agency’s corporate and B2B team to achieve 54% growth last year. Overall the agency grew by 19% in 2016.

Blundell has been acting MD at Weber Shandwick’s Manchester office since March 2016 and replaces outgoing MD Jo Leah, who after nearly two decades with the agency has said she wants to pursue new career opportunities elsewhere.

The agency says that over the past 12 months, Weber Shandwick’s Manchester office has achieved its strongest performance in five years with over £1 million worth of new business and 12 new clients.

Blundell will be supported by a senior management team including consumer marketing lead Anna Varley Jones, corporate B2B lead Amy Hopkinson, creative director Owen LaBeck, and digital lead Carolina Madrid.

Colin Byrne, UK and EMEA CEO at Weber Shandwick, said: “Manchester is a hotbed of creativity and global innovation and our Manchester office embodies this culture. Heather’s extensive experience and leadership skills will enable us to further grow our world-class offering in the city. A million pounds worth of new business is incredibly exciting for the Manchester office and for us as an agency.”

Blundell added: “I am so proud to be part of this incredible team and it is our people that provide the strong foundation for the future. I will be focused on continuing the exponential growth we have experienced in the last 12 months, driving integration between our practices, strengthening our relationships with the creative community and further developing our positive, ambitious and supportive business culture.”