Hill+Knowlton Strategies Canada (H+K)—the country’s No. 1-rated public relations and public affairs firm—is pleased to announce Craig Rowsell as vice-president and group leader of procurement and trade, effective immediately. A senior associate with H+K’s procurement services for three years, Craig will now lead the practice, which is headquartered in Ottawa.

“We’ve worked hard to build a strong and well-respected procurement and trade practice, offering clients and colleagues unsurpassed counsel and strategic insight in what can be an extremely complex environment,” says Jackie King, senior vice-president and general manager of H+K Ottawa. “We are fortunate to have Craig step into this role and lead our talented team, as they continue to harness the right communication support to engage the Crown, industry and public-at-large.”

Having started his public-service career at Public Works and Government Services and with more than 33 years of experience in public-sector major-capital acquisition and industrial policy, Craig brings invaluable insight and leadership to the firm, and enhances the quality of strategic counsel provided to clients. His expertise ranges from major defence procurement to industry and regional development programs to policy-issue management—with a particular focus in procurement and industrial development.

Prior to joining H+K, Craig was the lead executive responsible for the defence and aerospace sectors at the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). He worked closely with senior-level provincial government and his guidance was instrumental in establishing Atlantic Canada’s now-mature and dynamic regional Aerospace and Defence Industry Association.

About H+K Canada

With nine offices across the country, Hill+Knowlton Strategies Canada is a leader in both public relations and government relations. Headquartered in Toronto, the company is the No. 1-rated strategic communications firm in the country. Its experts specialize in corporate communications, public affairs, marketing communications, crisis, energy, technology, health care, social and digital communications, financial communications and transactions. The only communications firm to have earned the Canada Order of Excellence for Quality from Excellence Canada, it has been recognized as one of the Best Workplaces in Canada for nine consecutive years. Its parent company, Hill+Knowlton Strategies Inc., has 88 offices in 51 countries as well as an extensive associate network; and it is a member of WPP (NASDAQ: WPPGY), one of the world’s largest communications services groups.