LONDON—Weber Shandwick has hired Louise Watson to chair its consumer marketing practice across EMEA.

Watson arrives from H+K Strategies, where she spent 15 years in total, rising to the role of global FMCG lead, and working for such clients as P&G, General Mills and Shell. After beginning her career at H+K in 1995, Watson rejoined the WPP firm in 2006 and spent nine years there.

At Weber Shandwick, she takes on a role that was previously held by Rachel Friend, before the latter's promotion to London MD last December.

"Louise is a creative strategist with a proven track record in winning and growing global brands through big ideas, integrated teams and innovative approaches," said Colin Byrne, CEO of UK and EMEA at Weber Shandwick. "Her outlook on collaboration and piloting bold, new ideas mirrors ours, and she shows incredible strength in knowing how to engage consumers and build differentiated brand ideas."