Abbotts is due to start at Lansons on 30 October, taking the title head of public affairs and reporting to agency chief executive Tony Langham.
Abbotts takes over from Dirk Paterson, who left in the summer without a new role lined up (PRWeek, 20 July).
Just eight weeks ago, consultancy The Policy Partnership told PRWeek that Abbotts was to join as a senior associate. This week, it insisted no contract was signed.
Abbotts recently resigned as senior vice-president at FD-LLM. The lobbying company has been experiencing a tough year, following the recent departures of its co-founder Jon Mendelsohn, MD Craig Leviton and partner David Abrahams.
