New Senior Hire At Edelman Public Affairs

Edelman Public Affairs today announced the appointment of Chris Rumfitt, former Head of External Communications at Network Rail, as a Director in the practice. He will provide strategic consultancy to existing clients, as well as working on business development opportunities. He reports to Managing Director, Alex Bigg.

At Network Rail, Rumfitt led a 70-strong external communications team, which spanned across Public Affairs, media relations and community relations programmes. He specialised in the delivery of complex and controversial reputation and issues management work, cutting across traditional divisions between PR and Public Affairs. He also led Network Rail’s crisis communications following the rail crashes in Cumbria in 2007 and Berkshire in 2005. Rumfitt’s agency experience includes working at WeberShandwick and Charles Barker.

Alex Bigg, Managing Director, Edelman Public Affairs, said: "Chris's credentials are impressive and I’m delighted he has chosen to join the team. Clients will benefit from his comprehensive view of reputation management."

Chris Rumfitt added, "This is an exciting time to be joining Edelman and the growing Public Affairs team. I’m looking forward to bringing my experience to Edelman’s client base."

Chris’s appointment coincides with two other new joiners to Edelman Public Affairs. Paul Afshar recently joined as Account Manager from Portland and previously spent two years working within the Chief Executive’s Office at Ofcom. Anthony Marlowe joined as Senior Account Executive from the office of Justine Greening MP, Shadow Economic Secretary and Vice Chairman of the Conservative Party.

Recent wins for Edelman Public Affairs include Thomas Cook, working on the travel agent’s biggest political campaign to date, lobbying for a new Bank Holiday.

For further information contact:

Alex Bigg
Managing Director, Edelman Public Affairs
020 7433 1200
alex.bigg@edelman.com

Arabella Bakker
Head of Marketing
020 7344 1200
arabella.bakker@edelman.com