BRUSSELS —September 1 2011—MHP Communications today announced that Darren Ennis, media and strategic communications advisor to Catherine Ashton, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Commission Vice President is joining the company as a Director in its growing Brussels office.

Sacha Deshmukh, MHP’s CEO commented “Darren has a unique background having worked at the top of the EU institutions, advising one of the leading figures in EU politics as well as his award winning experience as a journalist at Reuters. His level of expertise, particularly in understanding how the current EU hierarchy and the media operates will be invaluable to our growing client base.”

In his nearly 10 years  in Brussels, Ennis has held positions including economics, sports politics, trade and foreign affairs correspondent at Thomson Reuters - breaking news at international events from the G20, UN and WTO to the FIFA and Rugby World Cup Finals.

Upon her appointment, High Representative & Vice President Ashton personally appointed him as her media and strategic communications advisor giving him a key role in developing her narrative for EU foreign policy and helping deliver her political messages to world leaders and media around the globe.  

Ennis was responsible for creating the communications team that now supports the European External Action Service – the EU diplomatic service - and was a leading member of HRVP Ashton's European Parliament policy team.

Since the start of the Arab Spring, Ennis has been dispatched to the region by Ashton, notably to Libya where he helped open the EU delegation in Benghazi and visited Tripoli. 

Commenting on joining MHP, Ennis said:

“Working with the High Commissioner has been a great honour and privilege at such a time of change in world politics. My challenges now are to take those experiences to MHP and its clients.  I chose MHP for its unique integrated approach to public affairs and policy communication and its strength as an award-winning agency across digital channels.  I look forward to helping our clients understand the complexities of EU politics and identify where the opportunities lie.”

MHP Communications opened its Brussels office in April 2011.  MHP Brussels is headed up by Alisdair Gray, and there are five staff in place today. The company aims to grow to over 20 consultants by 2013 generating over €3 million in revenues. Currently MHP in Brussels represents Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), EDRA (DIY Retail Association) as well as advising a number of clients from across MHP’s UK client base.

Contact

Daniel Rolle / daniel.rolle@mhpc.com / +44 (0)203 128 8199

Martin Forrest / martin.forrest@mhpc.com / +44 (0)20 3128 8590