Charles Barker is to expand its European lobbying operation
following the departure of Brussels divisional director Maria
Laptev.
Chief executive Tim Sutton is considering a number of options including
finding a straight replacement for Laptev, hiring more staff to
complement the five-strong Brussels team, or acquiring another agency.
Charles Barker’s parent, Bozell Sawyer Miller Group, which has a big
lobbying operation in Washington, wants stronger links with the Brussels
office.
Laptev joined the Belgian office of GPC Market Access Europe this week
as a director with responsibility for external affairs with central
Europe and Canada, where the agency’s parent, GPC Canada, is based.
Until Charles Barker finds a new Brussels head, the office, which Laptev
founded in 1990, will be managed by London-based public affairs director
Evie Soames and corporate affairs managing director Nan Williams.
