Hill+Knowlton Strategies has named Bashar AlKadhi as the new chief executive officer MENA, overseeing the business across the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey. He will assume the position in September.
AlKadhi joins from the role of COO at H+K’s fellow WPP company ASDA’A Burson-Masteller, a position he has filled since 2010. Prior to that he held several senior PR posts across the Middle East, serving as senior vice president and group controller at the i2 Group, director of public affairs at The Coca-Cola Company and a founding member of Intermarkets PR. AlKadhi will also join H+K’s EMEA management team and serve as senior vice president, EMEA.
Sconaid McGeachin, current CEO, will transition in to the role of senior vice president, EMEA where she will have a special responsibility for talent and professional development in the EMEA region. She will also oversee H+K’s African operations, in addition to her considerable client engagements.
“I am very pleased to have Bashar AlKadhi onboard; he comes very highly recommended from clients, colleagues and senior executives alike. Bashar brings with him a number of qualities to our company, including a dynamic and entrepreneurial spirit and a keen intellect. But first and foremost he is a client man and I look forward to having him engage with our existing and new clients in the region,” said Lars Erik Grønntun, Chairman and CEO H+K EMEA.
“I want to thank Sconaid for her dedicated service. Sconaid has, since assuming the CEO position in 2012, worked tirelessly for the company and the region. I am very pleased to have Sconaid continue in my management team with an expanded remit and look forward to working even closer with her going forward”, said Grønntun.
“I am truly excited to take on this new challenge. Hill+Knowlton Strategies was the first international PR company to establish in the Middle East and has a long history in the region. Now it is my turn to be the steward of this legacy and take the company into the next phase. I look forward to getting to know the people and the clients and build on all the great things I know H+K stands for,” said AlKadhi.
