APCO Worldwide Adds New Managing Director to London Line-Up

James Acheson-Gray, former Grayling exec, joins other recent senior hires; plans to further build London as major international hub

London (3 January 2012) – James Acheson-Gray, former executive of Grayling, will join APCO Worldwide as managing director of the firm’s London office, strengthening the consultancy’s European operations, Brad Staples, APCO president, international, announced today.

“We are delighted that James is joining APCO,” said Staples. “James will continue to build London as a major international hub for our business. He has the right credentials to make this happen given his experience in managing the UK office and setting up the Asian operations of an international consultancy; a proven track record in winning and running blue-chip client relationships across multiple offices; and broader international expertise.”

During his tenure at Grayling, Acheson-Gray held a number of senior management roles, serving most recently as managing director, international, where he led work for British Airways across nearly 40 countries. He was also part of Grayling’s successful management buyout team in 2004, which then sold to Huntsworth plc.

Acheson-Gray will lead APCO’s London team, based in Covent Garden, where the client roster includes Microsoft, GE, Mars Food, eBay, Tetra Pak, BAPW and NetJets. He will replace current managing director Ed Walsh, who will take on a new role as managing director, Europe. Acheson-Gray will report to Walsh.

Walsh has served as managing director in London since 2009 and directed APCO’s UK office into its next phase of growth, strengthening corporate communication services for clients in the market and, more recently, making some key investments to build on APCO’s leadership position in public affairs. Prior to his work at APCO, he spent nine years in senior corporate communication positions at IBM. In his new role, he will focus on further strengthening connectivity between APCO's European offices and on business development.

Acheson-Gray’s appointment is the latest in a series of senior hires in APCO's London office. In July 2011, Michael Burrell, a well-known European public affairs practitioner, was appointed vice chairman, public affairs, Europe, based in London. Last month Lionel Zetter, another respected public affairs practitioner and former president of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, joined APCO as a consultant in the London office. APCO also acquired Eloqui PR, a London-based corporate communication consultancy, in December 2010.

“Our London team now features some of the most experienced and respected operators of public affairs and corporate communication in the London market,” said Staples.

“I am pleased to be joining APCO at such an exciting time for the business. The firm has an outstanding global reputation, but I was also attracted to its independent ownership structure; its track record of providing strategic insight through very senior advisors and industry experts; and its determination to define itself by the quality of service that it provides to its clients,” said Acheson-Gray.

Prior to his most recent work at Grayling, Acheson-Gray was managing director of Grayling’s London office from 2008 to 2009. Earlier in his career, he spent nine years in Asia as managing director, Grayling Asia, having established the company’s Asia presence in 1999.

Acheson-Gray will join APCO in January 2012.

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About APCO Worldwide

Founded in 1984, APCO Worldwide is an award-winning, independently owned global communication consultancy with offices in major cities throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., APCO clients include corporations and governments; industry associations and nonprofit organizations; and six of the top 10 companies on the Fortune 500. APCO offers services related to business, industry and finance; media, public opinion and society; and government and public policy. The firm is a majority women-owned business. For more information, please visit www.apcoworldwide.com.