Brussels, 01 September 2010 - Hill & Knowlton today announced the appointment of Thomas Tindemans (49) as Managing Director EU Public Affairs at Hill & Knowlton International Belgium s.a./n.v. as of 1 September 2010. Tindemans will join Hill & Knowlton from the renowned global law firm White & Case, where he has been heading the Public Affairs practice. 

Tindemans is a leading counsellor in European Union policy and communications. He has a proven track record of advising corporate, government and NGO clients on their public and corporate affairs strategies, including legislative procedures and political developments in the EU institutions. His appointment demonstrates the expansion of Hill & Knowlton’s existing leadership team in Brussels. Thomas will report to Jeroen van Seeters, CEO and Chairman, Hill & Knowlton Benelux, and will sit on the Hill & Knowlton International Belgium Executive Board.

In announcing Tindemans appointment, Van Seeters said, “Our clients value experienced and probing senior counsel in both policy and communication, and they expect us to understand their business issues as well as their challenges in EU policy and stakeholder management. Thomas has this understanding, and he knows the EU and Belgian markets inside and out. More importantly, he has a strong track record in leveraging his knowledge into positive business impact for his clients. Thomas’ focus on clients and his coalition building skills are exceptional, but he is also a team player. That is essential for the further growth of our clients as well as for the growth of the public affairs practice within the international Hill and Knowlton network”. 

Jacquelyn MacLennan, White & Case “We fully understand that this particular opportunity for Thomas to further his public affairs career with a leadership role in Hill & Knowlton was not one that he could turn down. We would like to thank him for his considerable efforts and commitment to the firm, and we wish him all the very best in his new role.  Having been the first law firm in Brussels to provide clients with access to public affairs specialists with a legal background, we will continue to offer this service with our existing team members.”

Tindemans’ appointment will further reinforce Hill & Knowlton International Belgium’s comprehensive services, which cover Belgian public relations, EU public affairs and pan-European corporate communications.   

Tindemans:  “Hill & Knowlton offers the combination of diverse and very talented Public Affairs and Public Relations teams in Brussels with the breadth of expertise across the H&K global network. It will be my role to ensure that our clients benefit from this and that the team continues to demonstrate leadership and innovation in EU Public Affairs”.

Thomas Tindemans is a Belgian national with almost 20 years experience in EU Public Affairs and communications. He speaks Dutch, English, French and German and studied law at Namur University.

For further information, please contact:

Jeroen Van Seeters, CEO Hill & Knowlton International Belgium s.a./n.v.

Hill & Knowlton Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA)

Tel. +32 2 737 95 00

jvanseeters@hillandknowlton.com

About Hill & Knowlton

Hill & Knowlton International Belgium (www.hillandknowlton.be) is the largest PA/PR agency in Belgium and the 4rd largest globally in the Hill & Knowlton network, representing 79 offices in 44 countries. With its truly multinational and multicultural team of more than 50 consultants, Hill & Knowlton International Belgium serves more than 100 clients with public affairs & public relations services, including leading corporations, trade associations, governments & diplomatic missions and international institutions. 

Hill & Knowlton International Belgium maintains strong ties with the EU institutions and Member State governments. Our network allows us to provide an integrated and full-service pan-European offering to our clients. Closely linked with federal and regional Belgian authorities, H&K Belgium functions as a natural hub for international corporate communications network coordination, and offers a proven corporate and crisis communications expertise.