Newington has hired Michelle Di Leo to spearhead the continued growth of its corporate affairs offer

Di Leo joins Newington from her own agency, MDL Strategy, which she established after senior leadership roles in several consultancies, including FleishmanHillard Fishburn and iNHouse Communications.

She joins as Managing Director of Corporate Affairs and will sit on the senior management team.

Chief Executive Mark Glover said: “I am delighted that Michelle is joining Newington to lead our Corporate Affairs division.  She brings with her more than 20 years’ experience of creative and effective communications campaigns across a wide variety of issues and organisations.

“This is an exciting time for Newington as we continue to grow, deliver for clients and provide a fulfilling environment for talented people."

Di Leo began her career in-house, with integrated media and public affairs roles in various organisations including a trade union, trade association, and a charity.  She also set up and ran the national aviation campaign, FlyingMatters.

Her clients have spanned a wide spectrum of issues and organisation types, including: GE, Value Retail, Exporting Education, Virgin Trains, EE, Danone, PepsiCo, Marks and Spencer, JP Morgan, Carlyle Group, Omidyar Network, Nominet, The Crop Trust, and Swansea University.

Di Leo said: “People are at the heart of great communication agencies, so I am really excited to be joining Newington at such an exciting time in their growth.

“I am looking forward to being part of a culture which values its people and where creativity, fresh thinking and sharp insight generate real value for clients.”