Hill and Knowlton new appointments

Global communications consultancy Hill & Knowlton has appointed Dave Robinson as Regional Director of the Hill & Knowlton Middle East.
Dave joins Hill & Knowlton from Civitas, Greece's leading PR firm, where he was Executive Vice-President for five years. Jim Donaldson has been transferred and promoted to the position of Managing Director Public Relations in Brussels effective as of January 2005.

Dave Robinson is a British national and was previously Executive Vice President of Civitas in Greece. During five years in this role, he almost trebled the size of the business and grew to 40 staff working for both multinational and Greek companies. His experience is wide reaching and covers all areas of the PR business. Prior to moving to Athens, Dave worked with leading consultancies in the UK, including Ketchum and Holmes & Marchant.

Andrew Laurence, Chairman and CEO of Hill & Knowlton Europe, Middle East and Africa said: "With Dave's track record and rounded experience, we are very confident that he will be able to take the business in the Middle East forward very strongly as it enters a new phase of development. His dynamism and energy will add real value as we look to expand our presence and client portfolio over the next few years."

Jim Donaldson was Regional Director of the Middle East for five years. During that time, H&K's operation in the region has witnessed double digit growth and now has more than 80 people spread across ten locations. Jim was Managing Director of H&K Athens prior to taking this role and worked for Burson-Masteller, KBH Communications and The Communication Group before joining Hill & Knowlton.

Andrew Laurence commented: "We all recognise Jim's tremendous achievement in making the Middle East such a success story for H&K. We would like to thank him very much for this contribution and we are delighted to see him return to Europe where he will further strengthen our leading presence in Brussels. Jim will remain on the Board of Directors of the Gulf company to maintain a link with the business." Elaine Cruikshanks, CEO of Hill & Knowlton International Belgium and Global Head of Public Affairs added: "Jim brings a wealth of international corporate communications experience which will strengthen our offer on the Brussels and pan European marketplace."