MHP appoints new heads of corporate and public affairs
MHP Communications has appointed Andy Bloxham as head of its corporate practice and Jamie Lyons and James Gurling as joint heads of public affairs.
Bloxham joins from Bell Pottinger, where he was a founding partner of the 60-strong Engage team and ran campaigns for clients including HSBC, Sky and the United Nations.
He started his career in journalism and was on the news desk of the Daily Telegraph before he moved into strategic communications.
Lyons also joins from Bell Pottinger, where he was a partner and deputy managing director of Bell Pottinger Political, specialising in campaigning and advising clients including Centrica, TSB, TalkTalk and Waitrose.
He spent the first 15 years of his career in journalism, including six years as deputy political editor of the News of the World.
Lyons will lead the lead MHP’s public affairs practice alongside James Gurling, the agency’s current managing director.
The appointments are part of CEO Alex Bigg’s drive to better-define MHP’s offering and strengthen its position in the market. They follow recent client wins including uSwitch, Navigant, Liverpool Vision and BASF.
“I’m delighted that Jamie and Andy are joining us,” said Bigg. “They both have first-class reputations for doing work of the highest quality and will define our corporate and public affairs offering.”
Bloxham continued: “The vision that Alex has for the business, the intelligence and talent of the team and the opportunity to work closely with colleagues across MHP and Engine make this a tremendously exciting place to be.”
Lyons added: “MHP is a first-rate agency with excellent people doing outstanding work. It also has a renewed sense of ambition and dynamism which makes it a hugely exciting time to be joining.”
Gurling concluded: “Andy and Jamie are joining us at a very important moment for this country as we approach Brexit. Their experience in corporate and public affairs is a huge boost to MHP and great news for our clients.”
- Pictured: (left to right) Andy Bloxham, James Gurling and Jamie Lyons
