Akzo comms manager John Jennings said it would appoint an agency within the next three months to work under newly appointed director of corporate comms John McLaren.
McLaren joined Akzo three weeks ago from Dutch industry rival DSM, where he had the same title.
His post at Akzo absorbs the responsibilities of former head of corporate comms Huub Verbeeten, who is working on projects until the company finds him a new position.