LONDON — Weber Shandwick’s EMEA consumer chair Louise Watson is leaving the firm this week, the Holmes Report has learned.

Watson told the Holmes Report: “Weber Shandwick is a great agency at the top of its game with super-talented teams and an enviable client base, but it’s just not the right agency for me right now, and that was a hard decision to make.

“I’m leaving a portfolio of client wins, and work that most agencies would die for, in very safe hands. I'm looking forward to doing more of what I do best – client problem solving – in May after a much-deserved break.”

Watson joined Weber Shandwick in 2015 from H&K Strategies, where she was global creative strategist and global FMCG lead. She had re-joined Hill & Knowlton in 2006 as head of consumer goods, having been an associate director at the consultancy from 1995 – 2001. Watson has also been a director at Consolidated Communications and MS&L Group.

During her time at Weber Shandwick, Watson racked up several client wins, including Avis in 16 markets, Ocado, Iceland Foods, Mastercard in Europe, Kellogg’s across EMEA and Unilever. She also led the Aldi business for a year, resulting in multiple award wins.

Weber Shandwick’s EMEA and Asia Pacific chairman Tim Sutton said: “Louise has been a real change agent and helped lead significant business growth and capability, during her tenure with us. We remain grateful to her for her leadership across the region and wish her the very best in her future.”

It is not yet known whether Weber Shandwick will be appointing someone else to the EMEA consumer chair role.