BRUSSELS — FleishmanHillard senior VP Mette Grolleman has been upped to general manager of the agency’s Brussels office, succeeding Caroline Wunnerlich who is stepping into an advisory role after 20 years at the helm.

Grolleman, who joined FleishmanHillard in 2017, will formally take the position May 1. During her tenure in the Brussels office, she has led work with clients surrounding the range of reputational and regulatory issues they face across Europe.

Previously, Grolleman served as an advisor in the European Commission and, prior to that, worked as the financial counselor at the Danish Permanent Representation to the European Union. For more than a decade, she served in the Danish public administration which included working as a senior advisor in the Ministry for Business and Growth.

"I am delighted and honored to be taking over the helm of FleishmanHillard in Brussels at an exciting time of change in European affairs. I am committed to continuing the success this office has enjoyed for over 25 years through its focus on clients and its tremendous team of people," she said.

"We are an outstanding team of professionals committed to serving our clients with integrity and high standards, always ensuring a personalized approach to their needs. We are focused on providing insights on the future of Europe, integrating deep sectoral expertise with cutting edge communications and digital solutions.”

Wunnerlich, a 26-year FleishmanHillard veteran, meanwhile, will continue to work with the firm as a senior advisor, as well as chair of its Brussels Advisory Board. In addition to overseeing the Brussels operation, Wunnerlich spent two years as vice chair of the management committee of the European Public Affairs Consultancy Association. In 2016, she was named one of Politico’s Top 20 Women who Shape Brussels.

“It has been a privilege to grow this office not just into a market leading consultancy in Brussels, but into a true centre of excellence in public affairs for the global FleishmanHillard network,” Wunnerlich said. “My key legacy is the top talent that I have attracted and retained over many years, including a strong successor in the form of Mette who continues a tradition of female leadership. I am now excited to be working with our distinguished board of senior advisors in a political climate where clients need expert public affairs counsel more than ever.”