LONDON—Cohn & Wolfe has promoted UK corporate MD Andrew Escott to the role of global corporate practice leader.

Escott succeeds Geoff Beattie, who last week shifted to a new role leading Cohn & Wolfe's new strategic consulting unit.

Escott's role as UK corporate MD is assumed by Helen Searle, who has been a corporate director in the firm's UK office since 2012. Cohn & Wolfe's UK operation is a key driver of its global corporate work, which includes such clients as Warburtons, Twinings, Ferrero, Asia Pulp & Paper and Lloyds Banking Group. 

"Demand for our corporate reputation work has grown significantly around the world and Andrew has been a major contributor to our success,” said Cohn & Wolfe CEO Donna Imperato. "Under Andrew’s leadership, I see our Corporate Practice continuing to be a significant driver across Cohn & Wolfe markets."

Escott joined Cohn & Wolfe in 2009 to drive the UK office’s crisis management and corporate health capabilities. In 2010, he founded Cohn & Wolfe Political Counsel, the agency’s first public affairs service. Since then he has worked across service areas to create an integrated corporate practice able to advise clients on all aspects of reputation management.

Prior to joining Cohn & Wolfe, Escott was head of commercial relations at the NHS Confederation and, before that, a consultant at APCO Worldwide.