Burson Appoints Helen Searle as EMEA Chief Growth Officer and Global Growth Partner

London, 11th August, 2026 - Burson, the global communications agency purpose-built to create value for its clients through reputation today announced the appointment of Helen Searle as EMEA Chief Growth Officer and Global Growth Partner, effective immediately. Searle will continue to lead growth strategy across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, while taking on a global remit to scale Burson's growth capabilities and lead significant multimarket pitches worldwide.

In the newly expanded role, Searle will continue to work closely with Sam Lythgoe, Global Head of Growth, to establish best-in-class growth practices across regions and markets. Her focus will include improving conversion on major international pitches and advancing a seamless, borderless approach across Burson's global network.

"Helen combines deep client expertise with a passion for new service models which has proved highly attractive for new clients," said Jon Hughes, CEO, EMEA, Burson. "As a result, Helen has been instrumental in our recent run of significant multimarket wins, and I couldn't be more delighted to see her step into this broader role supporting our regional growth ambition. As we continue to secure complex international mandates, Helen's expanded remit will help our teams operate with a truly borderless mindset, bringing the full depth of Burson's capabilities to clients wherever they need us."

Searle brings more than two decades of experience across leading global agencies, including an extensive tenure within WPP. Her career spans senior corporate practice leadership, executive growth roles and complex, large-scale client engagements. Prior to the formation of Burson, where she served as EMEA Chief Client & Growth Officer, she held senior client and growth leadership roles at BCW, Cohn & Wolfe and Hill & Knowlton.

"Burson possesses an exceptional depth of talent, and this expanded remit allows us to respond to client needs with greater focus - bringing together the right people, specialist teams, and data-led tools to solve the challenges that matter most," said Searle. "My passion is creative problem solving, and this role speaks directly to that strength. Working across borders will also enable me to fully leverage the transformative power of WPP Open to deliver seamlessly at scale. Having seen first-hand how it transforms large-scale communications delivery, I look forward to bringing more of this to our existing clients and prospects alike."

The appointment reflects Burson's continued focus on sustained growth, expanded international client remits and the strength of WPP's global network and AI-driven capabilities in winning and growing iconic brand partnerships.