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Hawthorn Expands Global Footprint into the US with Launch of New York Office; Appointing Liz Bruce to Lead

Hawthorn Advisors Holdings is pleased to announce the expansion of its Hawthorn Advisors global franchise into North America with the launch of its New York office. Liz Bruce will join Hawthorn Strategic Communications and Reputation Management Inc (Hawthorn) as a Partner and Head of North America and will lead the firm’s strategy, growth and client relationships in the region.

Liz joins Hawthorn from the global investment firm Strategic Value Partners where she was Head of Communications and Brand. She began her career in Investment Banking at Goldman Sachs and later became the firm’s first Global Chief of Staff of Corporate Communications during the global financial crisis. Following her time at Goldman, Liz co-founded a financial communications firm, which was ultimately sold to Teneo. Prior to joining Strategic Value Partners, Liz was Head of Communications at the venture capital firm Greycroft.

Founded in 2013, Hawthorn is one of London’s fastest growing, independent strategic communications consultancies, representing clients across Europe, North America, South America, the Middle East and Asia. The firm has grown organically over the past decade, expanding its offering into political advisory, digital strategy, employee engagement, and sustainability. Today, Hawthorn comprises a team of over 65 consultants with diverse professional experience from the worlds of business, media, politics, NGO and research. Its global client base includes NatWest, Forbes, Kering, ION Group, YOOX NET-A-PORTER, Saxavord Spaceport, Suzano, Zilch, Equistone and LaSalle Investment Management.

I am delighted to join the extremely talented Hawthorn team and work with the firm’s impressive roster of international clients. There is significant opportunity to leverage Hawthorn’s expertise and unique perspectives to build a truly differentiated advisory firm in the US. We are already off to the races with new business in the US, and I’m excited to bring together best-in-class talent to support our clients’ increasingly complex needs.

Liz Bruce

John Evans, CEO and Co-Founder of Hawthorn said: “We are thrilled to have Liz on board for this new chapter. She has outstanding experience, an incredible network, and entrepreneurial spirit in spades. Hawthorn has always been a globally minded firm, with particularly strong connections in New York and across North America. We’re already seeing how having established, on-the-ground presence in the region can help us better serve our existing clients and to deepen relationships in this exciting market.”

As seen in PR Week

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Sarah-Jane Wakefield an internal communications specialist joins Hawthorn as a Director

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Sarah-Jane Wakefield who has joined Hawthorn as a Director. Sarah-Jane specialises in internal communications with over 20 years of experience in global corporate communications, employee engagement, leadership communications, and organisational and cultural transformation.

Sarah-Jane has joined Hawthorn from Standard Chartered Bank where she was Head of Group Internal Communications overseeing all global internal communications and employee engagement across 96k people in over 70 markets and responsible for the CEO’s leadership communications. More recently she was Global Head of Communications for People and Culture driving strategic communications to support the Bank’s culture, organisation, and people transformation.

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Felix Meston a technology, media and financial services specialist joins Hawthorn as a Director

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Felix Meston who has joined Hawthorn as a Director. For over 10 years Felix has been a trusted advisor to corporates, startups and executives on communications strategy, narrative development, global media relations, thought leadership and ESG-related issues. He specialises in the technology, media, and financial services sectors. He has previously held senior communications roles at mytaxi (formerly Hailo), Europe’s largest taxi app, and Global, the media and entertainment company.

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Jamie Plotnek a sustainability, climate and ESG specialist joins Hawthorn as a Director

We are delighted to welcome Jamie Plotnek who joins Hawthorn as a Director. Jamie is a sustainability, climate and ESG specialist, with more than 15 years of experience advising companies and charities on confronting environmental challenges. He joined Hawthorn from the international non-profit Climate Group, where he developed and led a global campaign on zero emission vehicles. Jamie’s previous roles included leading communications on climate and energy at Unilever and heading up business and public sector engagement for one of Britain’s biggest climate change campaigns.

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Stephen Atkinson joins Hawthorn as a Managing Director

Hawthorn Advisors is delighted to announce the appointment of Stephen Atkinson to lead our financial services business. He brings three decades of experience at the highest levels of banking after a long and successful career at Standard Chartered Bank. There, Stephen led the Investor Relations and Communications functions, was Corporate Affairs Head for the bank, operated as Chief of Staff to Standard Chartered’s Group CEO and latterly was Head of the Private Bank for Africa, Middle East and Europe. He joins Hawthorn Advisors as a Managing Director.

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We are delighted to announce the appointments of Director Josh Leigh and Associate Director Rebecca Durnin

We are delighted to announce the appointments of Director Josh Leigh and Associate Director Rebecca Durnin. Josh is a digital corporate affairs specialist who will be advising Hawthorn’s clients on search, and protecting and enhancing their reputations online. He helps craft digital campaigns that make sure clients’ messages get noticed.

Rebecca brings years of experience providing senior counsel and strategic direction to household name brands, including one of the world’s largest social media platforms, and a series of high profile companies in the luxury sector.

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