KPMG Consulting is tipped to have signed Chris McDermott for the
newly-created role of communications director for Europe, the Middle
East and Africa.
KPMG Consulting, which provides management and IT consultancy, has
traditionally employed communication representatives in each country
within the region, but is understood to be seeking a more integrated
approach.
If his appointment is ratified, McDermott, who was Shandwick’s corporate
director until two months ago, will report to KPMG international head of
marketing Tim Pearson, who works out of New York. The new post will be
based in London, working closely with the international office in
Amsterdam and those in the EMEA region.
The role is expected to be broad and will include a reappraisal of
KPMG’s existing pan-European communication strategies.
KPMG’s consulting division in the UK has been moving towards being
profit and loss accountable and there are plans for a partial IPO.
The group is waiting for the Independent Standards Board to confirm
whether or not it can go ahead with a partial sell-off. A ruling is
expected next spring, and if given the go-ahead, KPMG should start
proceedings shortly afterwards.
The division accounts for nearly one-third of KPMG’s worldwide
revenues.
KPMG Consulting employs 15,000 people and posted a revenue of nearly
pounds 2 billion in 1998.
Official confirmation of McDermott’s appointment is expected within a
fortnight.
Michael Murphy, Shandwick’s chief executive, said McDermott’s
responsibilities had been reassigned.
McDermott joined Shandwick in 1992 from Ruder Finn, where he was a
director.
He was unavailable for comment when PR Week went to press.
