The Audit Commission is losing its communications head, Stuart
Smith, who is leaving the public service watchdog at the end of November
to join Edelman PR Worldwide, where he will be director of corporate
communications.
Smith will oversee Edelman’s corporate communications team of seven with
a brief to raise the agency’s profile among new and existing clients,
develop products and help bring in new business.
Smith joined the Audit Commission in 1997 on a fixed two-year contract
to become its first communications head. He reports to controller Andrew
Foster in a free-standing strategic role.
Foster has now decided to restructure the body’s strategic
communications in a bid to improve awareness of the body. The changes
will see a revamp of Smith’s post and the appointment of a new PR
manager. It is envisaged that the PR manager will promote the
commission’s reports while the head of communications role will be
modified and expanded to include line management duties for publications
and marketing communications not included in Smith’s role.
