Edelman, the global communications firm has announced several new hires within its UK technology practice. The appointments add further skills and capabilities in financial, consumer and B2B technology, as well as executive digital communications within the tech sector.

The hires reflect the rapid growth within the technology practice driven from both existing and new clients. The team has seen an increase in demand from clients for fully integrated communications solutions alongside deep sector expertise.

David Whitehead has joined as senior director to provide senior B2B tech and executive digital communications counsel to a number of Edelman’s world leading technology clients including HP. He previously held roles at AxiCom, Golin, Portland and Teneo and through his career has experience taking innovative start-ups and scale-ups from Series A funding through to IPO, as well as providing counsel to c-suite leaders at several Fortune 500 companies. David has also advised governments across the globe on the implementation of the science, technology and innovation UN Sustainable Development Goals.

David is joined by Angie Ayala-Oksanen as a senior director who leads Edelman’s Samsung Mobile brief in EMEA out of London. Angie is an award-winning communications professional with 15+ years of experience helping companies successfully identify, articulate and take their stories to market. Angie joins from Edelman’s Bay Area where she was Senior Vice President of its Consumer Technology Group advising clients spanning a mix of Fortune 500 and fast growth scaling firms.

The 45 person-strong Edelman Technology Practice led by Gerry Wisniewski, Managing Director, has also been joined by Associate Director, Elvina Soogun and Alex Dibb, Senior Account Manager. Elvina was previously Deputy Head of fintech at CCgroup and joins Edelman’s tech practice to help continue to build out its FinTech credentials and client growth. Meanwhile, Alex Dibb joins Edelman UK from OrangeDoor where he delivered projects for B2B technology clients.

Gerry Wisniewski said: “The technology sector is reshaping the world. At the heart of what we do in the Edelman tech practice is to help our clients build and cement their reputation, and brand, by articulating how they contribute to the evolution of business and society. This brave new sector deserves bold ideas that demonstrate technology’s value. Our clients are looking for deep technology expertise, compelling storytelling, as well as the insight and creativity critical to help navigate this new dynamic world with purpose. Our technology team in the UK, and broader Edelman network, has never been more prepared to help our clients meet these new challenges.”