The United Kingdom National Defence Association has appointed Andy Smith as public affairs director. Smith is a former head of media and public affairs at the South East England Development Agency.
Hanover has hired a new senior consultant from Labour Friends of Israel. Rebecca Simon makes the switch to Charles Lewington's agency, having been deputy director at LFI.
Houston Consulting Europe, a 17-strong EU public affairs specialist, has been acquired by global comms consultancy Kreab Group. Kreab Brussels will now join forces with Houston's consultants and the combined Brussels team will consist of more than 40 specialists. John Houston, founder and CEO of Houston Consulting, becomes a senior partner at Kreab Group.