WASHINGTON – FTI Consulting has continued to reshuffle senior executives after a string of departures, naming Brian Kennedy to lead the firm’s strategic communications segment in the Americas.

Kennedy, who will take his new job on 1 January, has logged nearly a decade at FTI, most recently as the group’s global head of energy & natural resources. His new role involves implementing the division’s vision and strategy, while furthering growth across the Americas.

He is succeeding Mark McCall, who was the segment’s COO and head of Americas before being elevated to CEO in September.  Ed Reilly, who had been CEO since 2011, stepped down from the segment’s top job, but stayed with the company to focus on client development and assist with the leadership transition, according to FTI.

Reilly was the fifth FTI senior leader who has or will be stepping down from their most recent or current roles with the strategic communications firm. In July, FTI confirmed the pending departures of Gulf head John Hobday, Asia-Pacific lead Paul Marriott (for a major role at Macquarie Bank) and veteran exec Jon Aarons.

A fourth MD at the firm, Gareth Wynn, left the firm earlier after leading its UK energy practice for almost two years.

Kennedy’s promotion, announced Monday, comes less than two weeks after FTI reported a 5.1% lift in communications segment revenue during Q3 – welcome news after bleak second quarter results.