January 5, NEW YORK – Hill+Knowlton Strategies (H+K), one of the world’s leading public relations agencies, has appointed Robert C. Ferris as Head of the U.S. Energy and Industrials (E+I) practice. In this new role, Ferris will further deepen the firm’s capabilities in energy, industrials and manufacturing sectors as H+K continues its accelerated growth in the US.

Ferris was most recently Chief Communications Officer at Axalta Coating Systems, a NYSE-listed $5 billion global leader in automotive and industrial coatings, where he led the Company’s internal, external, and capital markets communications strategies. He brings extensive experience in corporate and financial media activities, having also served as the chief company spokesperson for Honeywell, and head of global external communications. Ferris has also held senior management positions at GCI Group and MWW Group, where he provided strategic communications counsel on corporate positioning, response to critical issues, executive transitions, and corporate governance matters.

“The energy and industrial industries are undergoing an enormous transformational period, and I look forward to helping our clients navigate these unique challenges, whether it be with customers, regulators, investors, or employees, that impact their business on a regular basis or are the result of the new business normal. I am excited about this important opportunity to help H+K US drive its growth agenda,”

Robert Ferris

Throughout his career, Ferris has built a successful track record in executive-suite positioning, crisis management, capital markets communications, and internal communications, working primarily for clients across the manufacturing, energy, and technology sectors.

Leveraging his experience in both corporate and agency environments with his deep industry knowledge, Ferris’ appointment will aid the acceleration of H+K’s Energy + Industrial capabilities, through his leadership of the US Practice.

“Rob is an exceptional addition to our US senior leadership team. His vast industry knowledge and experience will not only strengthen our servicing to our clients but will fuel our creativity, innovation and growth within the Energy + Industrial sector, here in the U.S.,”

Richard Millar, H+K Global President and CEO of The Americas

For Media Enquiries:

Sarah Brandon, Global Communications Lead

 +1 416 413 4773 | Sarah.Brandon@hkstrategies.com

Megan Jackson, Senior Marketing Executive

+44 20 7413 3766 | Megan.Jackson@hkstrategies.com

About Hill+Knowlton Strategies

Hill+Knowlton Strategies, Inc. is an international communications consultancy, providing services to local, multinational and global clients. H+K has over 80 offices in more than 40 markets, as well as an extensive associate network, delivering award winning campaigns to clients across all sectors and disciplines and with a focus on continued innovation for the industry. Recent innovations include Flight School +, a crisis communications training and simulation tool, Better Impact™, a new approach to citizenship and sustainability consultancy, and H+K Smarter™, a behavioral science unit. Headquartered in New York, the firm is part of WPP, one of the world’s largest communications services groups.

For more information about H+K, click here, follow us on Twitter here, like us on Facebook here, and follow us on LinkedIn here.