Bashar AlKadhi has announced his decision to retire from his role as CEO for the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa at Burson.Before joining Burson, AlKadhi served as CEO of EMEAx (Europe, Nordics, Middle East, Turkey, India, and Africa) at Hill & Knowlton, overseeing the agency's network of wholly owned offices and affiliate partners across the region.Earlier in his career, AlKadhi was the Chief Operating Officer at ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller, which later merged with Hill & Knowlton to form Burson in the previous year.He posted on his LinkedIN: ?Ç£It?ÇÖs nearly impossible to encapsulate a career spanning four decades into a few paragraphs, so I won?ÇÖt attempt to do so, but the time has come for me to hang up my proverbial boots and spend much more time with my family and close friends.Heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has helped me along the way. It has been a most fulfilling career. I wish Corey and everyone in the Burson Family every success. Special gratitude to my magnificent Leadership Team and all my outrageously talented colleagues in this incredible region that is full of promise. Super proud of them all.?Ç¥

Public affairs and communications specialist APCO announced the expansion of its European operations with a new office in Kyiv, Ukraine. The office will be led by Sonya Soutus, (pictured), a global expert in corporate and government relations with deep experience in Ukraine.Soutus brings over 30 years of experience in communications, public affairs, and brand management for multinational corporations. She has held leadership positions both in-house and at agencies, managing diverse areas like M&A communications and corporate social responsibility.Soutus' background in Ukraine is extensive. She previously served as a director at Burson-Marsteller in Kyiv, where she played a key role in public education programs and establishing the agency's presence in the country. Her experience also includes serving as the first press officer for the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and working as a director at Teneo.APCO's Kyiv team will focus on guiding international investors and businesses in key sectors like energy, technology, and agriculture. They will also offer expertise in government engagement, strategic communications, and navigating the evolving regulatory landscape as Ukraine progresses towards EU membership."Despite ongoing challenges, Ukraine's economic resilience and growth potential are undeniable. Our clients are seeking deeper insights and local expertise to navigate Ukraine's opportunities. We're also seeing Ukrainian companies seeking to connect with European markets and attract foreign investment. APCO's experience in Ukraine positions us perfectly to address these needs," said APCO CEO Brad Staples. Soutus echoed this sentiment, highlighting the team's commitment to client success: ?Ç£We are excited about the opportunities that our new presence in Kyiv will bring. Our mission is to enable businesses to succeed in Ukraine by providing them with the insights and strategies they need to thrive in this dynamic market. APCO has an integrated offer of strategic services and a truly global presence which we know will provide significant added value to our clients.?Ç¥

8020 Communications, a specialist PR and digital marketing agency focused on the aviation, travel, and mobility sectors, has named Jim Donaldson as its first non-executive director. Donaldson, a highly respected figure in the communications industry, brings a wealth of experience to the role.Donaldson previously served as the CEO of FleishmanHillard's UK and Middle East operations until January 2024. He is a recognized leader, having been awarded the prestigious PRovoke Media Individual Achievement SABRE award this year. He also holds non-executive positions at Instinctif and Woodrow.At 8020 Communications, Donaldson will collaborate closely with founder and CEO Marc Cornelius and the senior leadership team. His expertise will be instrumental in accelerating the agency's growth and capitalizing on its strengths within the aviation, travel, and mobility industries. He will play a key role in shaping strategies for expansion, development of new services, international growth, and talent development.Founded in 2008, 8020 boasts a team of 18 specialists who deliver impactful PR and digital marketing campaigns for a diverse range of clients, including B2B, B2C, and corporate audiences. Their impressive track record includes Etihad Airways, Port of Dover, Expedia, Jetcraft, Textron Aviation, American Express Global Business Travel, and Scott Dunn.?Ç£I've had the pleasure of knowing Jim for many years," said Cornelius. "His proven ability to build high-performing teams and foster environments where agencies excel is truly impressive. We're incredibly fortunate to have someone of his caliber and extensive experience guide us through this exciting next chapter for 8020.""We share a common vision of delivering exceptional client experiences, fostering positive and stimulating work environments, and recognizing the immense potential for specialized agencies like ours, particularly in this era of consolidation among larger players," Cornelius continued. "The road ahead is bright, and we're thrilled to have Jim join us on this journey."Donaldson echoed Cornelius' enthusiasm, stating, "Marc and I go back a long way, having started our careers together at Burson-Marsteller in the early 1990s. Our paths have crossed numerous times since then, and I'm incredibly impressed by the team he's built, the agency's reputation, and the impact they've made over the past few years. I'm excited for this opportunity to collaborate again and contribute to the continued success of this fantastic agency."The appointment of Donaldson follows the recent addition of Julia Farish, who joined 8020 Communications from IHG Hotels & Resorts to bolster their hospitality expertise.

Chris McCafferty, who served as group CEO of MSL London and sustainability consultancy Salterbaxter, is departing the firm. Taking his place is Rebecca Grant, former CEO of BCW London, who will now lead as chief executive of Publicis?ÇÖ UK Influence practice.In her new role, Grant will helm MSL, Taylor Herring, and Salterbaxter, while also expanding her responsibilities as EMEA chief client officer for Publicis' influence practice within the French-owned holding group.McCafferty, having led for over four years, has chosen to step down to pursue fresh challenges. Reflecting on his tenure, he expressed pride in fostering inclusive growth and prioritizing people-centric decisions. He emphasized the transformative impact on both commercial and personnel fronts, noting the industry's positive reception to their approach.As CEO of Publicis Groupe UK?ÇÖs influence practice, Grant will drive growth strategies for existing agencies, collaborating with agency leaders and the Publicis Groupe UK executive committee. Her role as chief client officer will concentrate on identifying novel avenues to create value for multi-market clients. Grant will report directly to Demet Ikiler, CEO of Publicis Groupe EMEA.Grant arrives with a wealth of experience, having spent 13 years at BCW, where she held positions including CEO for BCW UK and global chief brand officer. Notably, she spearheaded the merger of Cohn & Wolfe and Burson-Marsteller in the UK before assuming the role of CEO in 2018. Prior to her tenure at BCW, Grant held leadership roles at Cohn & Wolfe and Weber Shandwick, among others.Grant's team will include Jo Grierson, managing director of MSL, James Herring and Cath Taylor, co-founders of Taylor Herring, and Steve Lindsay, managing director of Salterbaxter.Commenting on Grant's appointment, Publicis Groupe EMEA CEO Demet Ikiler commended her leadership prowess and proven track record of driving innovation and growth. Ikiler expressed confidence in Grant's ability to advance the Influence practice in the UK and expand solutions across EMEA, collaborating with agency leaders in the region. Ikiler also extended best wishes to McCafferty in his future endeavors.In response, Grant expressed enthusiasm for joining Publicis Groupe UK during a period of substantial growth and innovation, particularly in AI and data intelligence. She looks forward to building on the foundation laid by the agency portfolio and ushering in a new phase of growth, recognizing the pivotal role of influence in brand and business success.