Edelman appoints new UK chief executive officer

Edelman has announced the appointment of Ed Williams as the new chief executive officer of its UK business.

Mr Williams will join the agency on October 31st 2011 after departing his current role as director of communications for the BBC and will become part of Edelman's Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region leadership team.

Prior to joining the BBC in 2008, Mr Williams has also occupied high profile positions such as director of communications for Reuters, director for Brunswick and pro bono adviser to the International Crisis Group.

He will take over the role at Edelman from acting chief Susan Eastoe, who will assist the transition period before assuming an expanded role within the company's leadership.

Edelman's EMEA chief executive Robert Phillips said: "He is a major global player as well as a UK leader and will contribute hugely to our firm and our clients on this basis."

Last month, the company announced that Bjorn Edlund will also be moving into the role of EMEA non-executive chairman this October.