Burson-Marsteller has promoted its global healthcare practice
chairman John Smith to European president and chief executive officer.
Smith replaces Ferry de Bakker, who moves to the same position in B-M’s
Asia-Pacific region.
Smith, who will retain his healthcare responsibilities, was a partner of
management consultancy the Mead Point Group, until it was bought by B-M
earlier this year. Previously he spent 21 years with management
consultancy Booz, Allen and Hamilton.
The changes in jobs for de Bakker and Smith coincide with the
appointment of a new member of the European management team for the
agency.
Vice chairman of client services Jeff Hunt is to relocate from New York
to London to strengthen the relationship between the agency and key
clients like Unilever and Andersen Consulting.
Hunt will also take charge of B-M’s new business effort across Europe,
which had previously been handled by de Bakker.
He joins chairman Professor Alan Watson, chief operating officer Per
Heggenes, chief financial officer Mike Kingsley and UK chairman Nigel
Whittaker on the European board.
B-M Asia, p5.
