INTERNATIONAL NEWS: BSMG Worldwide loses UK CEO over conflict with parent group True North

LONDON: BSMG Worldwide's UK chief executive, Nan Williams, has quit following disputes over strategy with the agency's American parent company.

Williams, who started at what was then Charles Barker PR as a graduate trainee in 1985, will leave the company at the end of the year.

Although the official word is that she is leaving to pursue other interests, Williams is understood to have resigned following differences of opinion between London staff and BSMG's US parent, True North Communications.

True North has recently been subject to takeover speculation, increasing uncertainty for senior staff.

Her departure was described as amicable, but it is thought that Williams had grown frustrated with what she felt was a lack of investment in the BSMG brand in the UK after a string of recent acquisitions.

BSMG in the UK has, in the last two years, bought consumer PR firms Walker Williams and Lyons Waddell, public affairs shop GJW and, last week, financial agency Square Mile.

Williams played a key role in negotiating the acquisitions, but feels they need further support with additional investments to shore up the BSMG brand.

BSMG European chairman Tim Sutton said Williams' post is to be taken by an external hire, and expects confirmation within two weeks.

This article was first published on PR Week USA