Former Bloomberg reporter Packard joins from Dutch PR firm Bellier Financial, for which he opened the London office and built a practice of pan-European clients. His experience in financial services includes advising private equity firms, trade associations and fund management platforms.
He will report to former Cicero excutive director Mike Robb, who was appointed head of financial services at MHP last year. The division has won a new clients including Nationwide Building Society and The Restaurant Group in the past few months.
Invest was most recently a senior creative at Sky, where he worked on brand campaigns for Sky Atlantic, Sky 1, Sky Sports, Sky Cinema and Sky Mobile. His CV includes roles at Shine Communications, Frank PR, Jackie Cooper PR and Hearst Magazines UK.
He will report to Gemma Irvine, who was promoted to head of brand at the agency last December. The division, alongside parent company Engine, delivered the multiple-award-winning #MissingType campaign for NHS Blood and Transplant.
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Packard said: "It's a privilege to be joining a company that is going places. Financial services clients are looking for support from agencies with the scale and expertise to advise them across all of the specialist PR disciplines. The impressive MHP team has a strong reputation for responding to these needs."
Invest commented: "I’m thrilled to be joining MHP at such an exciting time for the agency. The Brand team has a great reputation and a proven track record of delivering award-winning integrated, forward-looking campaigns. I’m looking forward to helping develop more creative work that delivers change for new and existing clients."
Alex Bigg, who was appointed CEO of MHP Communications in 2016, said: "MHP is committed to hiring the best talent in the market as we continue to grow and win bigger clients. Simon and Robin are real assets to our senior team and I am confident that will deliver excellent work for our clients."
