Leading international PR agency, Grayling, has made the internal appointment of Lee Southen as head of its Birmingham office, with immediate effect.
Lee joined Grayling Birmingham last year as an Associate Director, making an immediate impact by helping grow the agency’s client base in the region to include Aston Villa Football Club and the University of Gloucestershire. Lee has over 17 years’ B2B and B2C experience working with major blue-chip brands across a range of sectors including retail, automotive and property.
Lee will be responsible for the day-to-day leadership of the Birmingham office as well as providing strategic guidance to some of Grayling Birmingham’s flagship clients in the Midlands region, including HSBC and HORIBA MIRA. He will work with Grayling’s Head of Southern Region, Craig Ling, to enhance the Grayling Birmingham’s offer to existing clients and prospects.
Craig Ling, Head of Southern Region, Grayling, said:
“I’m pleased to announce Lee will be leading our Birmingham team and believe the business will thrive under his direction. It is evident Birmingham and the wider West Midlands is experiencing a long-overdue economic renaissance. Grayling Birmingham is ideally positioned to support businesses who want to take advantage of greater devolution, business confidence and a resurgent regional media."
Lee, Head of Grayling Birmingham, said:
“Grayling is an exciting place to be with a strong reputation and a promising future ahead. We’ve already experienced strong growth this year, but my focus remains on developing Grayling Birmingham’s offer in the region and growing the diverse and talented team.”
Based in the Assay Studios on Newhall Street, Grayling Birmingham has had a foothold in the Midlands region for over 40 years. It is one of the best-connected communications agencies in the UK with expertise spanning public relations, crisis communications, government relations, digital and social strategy and media training. In addition to Birmingham, Grayling has the UK’s largest PR and Public Affairs network, with seven offices across the country, including London, Southampton, Bristol, Leeds, Manchester, Cardiff and Edinburgh.