LONDON: Former GE communications leader Deirdre Latour is set to join Pearson as chief corporate affairs officer at the start of next year.
Reporting to CEO John Fallon, she will lead global corporate affairs, which includes government relations, media relations, IR, employee comms, brand, and social impact, the company said in a statement.
The last person to hold the role was Kate James, who exited the company in July, according to a spokesperson.
Latour is set to join the educational publishing company from GE, where she was VP, chief communications officer, and senior adviser, before stepping down in March after a 14-year career at the company. Latour was named to GE’s top communications position in April 2015. GE also parted ways with high-profile comms executives David McColluch and Jen Friedman.
Linda Boff, CMO and chief learning officer at GE, took over Latour’s role on an interim basis before it was filled by Jennifer Erickson, who was promoted from executive director of GE global comms. Erickson is reporting to Boff.
Prior to working at GE, Latour was a VP at Edelman. Earlier in her career, she worked at Porter Novelli.
She has also been a multiyear member of PRWeek’s Power List, including in the no. 9 spot in 2017.
A Pearson spokesperson wasn’t immediately available for additional comment.
