MUNICH—The BMW Group is making changes in its corporate communications operations to reflect the growing importance of the Mini, BMW Motorrad und Husqvarna Motorcycles brands. Manfred Grunert will move from his post as spokesperson heritage for the BMW Group to take over as head of product communication for Mini, BMW Motorrad, and Husqvarna Motorcycles. Ralph Huber has been appointed head of product communication, BMW Automobiles. Cypselus von Frankenberg will move from his role as spokesperson for BMW i to fill Huber's previous position as head of technology communication.

ABU DHABI—Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA) has appointed Tom Ashby as its group vice president, corporate communications. He will oversee all global internal and external communications, marketing and sustainable development efforts. Most recently, Ashby served as business editor of Abu Dhabi's first English-language newspaper, The National. Previously, he held a variety of editorial positions at Reuters in Europe, South America and Africa, specializing in the energy industry and emerging markets.

LONDON—Fishburn Hedges has been selected by The Co-operative Legal Services to raise awareness among consumers of services including will writing, probate, personal injury and conveyancing, as well as its imminent move into family legal services. According to Russ Brady, head of group public relations: ”We’re looking to completely change the way UK consumers can access the law and we want to ensure that our compelling message is heard loud and clear.”

LONDON—Data and networking company Savvis has selected Firefly as its public relations agency for the EMEA region following a competitive pitch. The US-based company has charged Firefly with developing an integrated communications brief for the UK and Germany, using dedicated teams in Firefly’s London and Munich offices. The program will include content development, media and analyst relations, PR counsel and social media.

ABU DHABI—StrategyOne, a full-service strategic research firm owned by Edelman, has named Fergus Clarke head of its Middle East and North Africa research division. Clarke heads up a team located in UAE that combines stakeholder perceptions, local community research, and social and traditional media analysis to provide clients with brand and communications insights. He has led StrategyOne’s Abu Dhabi office since January 2012.

LONDON—Liberty Comms, a specialist technology communications consultancy, has added Nick Lane as telecoms and media tsar, responsible for delivering client strategy, and expanding Liberty’s footprint across the telecoms and media landscape in the UK and Europe. A journalist-turned-analyst, Lane previously founded mobile research and analyst company, mobileSquared. The firm has also added Pippa Melamet and Georgina Heaume.

READING—Digital, technology and consumer public relations firm Berkeley PR has promoted Lauren Wood to account director. She joined the firm in 2010 and has worked on accounts such as Kaspersky Lab, Iron Mountain and Netgear. In addition, Berkeley has promoted Amy Stevens to account manager, and Melanie Johnson and Louise Mapp to senior account managers. The firm has also recruited 11 new professionals since January.