WPP Hires UK Government Comms Reformer for New Role

WPP has appointed the UK government's Deputy Director of Communications Sean Larkins as Director of Consulting and Capability, leading a new consultancy offer within its Government & Public Sector Practice.

In his previous role Larkins led the reform of government communications on behalf of the Prime Minister's Office and Cabinet Office, and oversaw the professional development of nearly 4,000 government communicators. Prior to this, he was Director of Communications for a Whitehall department and a government agency, and worked in the private sector at The Body Shop International.

In his new role, Larkins will focus particularly on promoting the communications and marketing capability offer of Millward Brown Vermeer to government clients around the world.

Practice CEO Dr Michelle Harrison comments: 'Governments worldwide increasingly use communications as a tool for policy delivery by influencing citizen behaviour. This has created new demands for government communications functions to deliver long-term, strategic, evidence-driven and highly impactful communication. This, combined with digital transformation, has made internal capability a priority for government communications leaders. We are delighted that we will now be able to support our clients in this area. Sean is the ideal person to lead this for our clients and a wonderful addition to our leadership team'.

The Practice was launched last year and has recently added hubs in London, Brussels, the Middle East and North Africa, Australia and New Zealand, and East Africa, with plans to launch in Singapore and Washington DC.

Web site: www.wpp.com/govtpractice .