NAIROBI — Grayling has hired former Eloqui CEO and founder Chris Genasi (pictured) as MD of its Kenyan operation. 

Genasi, who sold Eloqui to APCO in 2010, reports Grayling Middle East, Turkey and Africa (META) CEO Loretta Ahmed, and has joined the firm's regional management board. His arrival comes after Grayling was hired by Kenya to help revive tourism and investment this year, and launched its East African hub office in Nairobi.

In addition, regional director Seth Hand has been promoted to director of new markets, and will be responsible for Grayling’s expansion across Africa. Hand has been part of Grayling’s senior META team for four years and has already played a leading role in the firm's entry into Oman and Kenya in 2015.

Industry veteran Genasi has also held senior international positions at Weber Shandwick and is a former president of the UK’s Chartered Institute of Public Relations.

"Grayling has reached a critical stage in its expansion in the META region and, with these appointments, we are poised for success in Africa’s high growth PR market," said Ahmed. "Having set up his own consultancy and also worked at a senior level in several of the industry’s largest organisations, [Genasi] brings the perfect combination of entrepreneurial spirit, solid management experience and the capability to work successfully as part of an evolving, global business."