Paul Plowman departs as CEO of Hill+Knowlton after less than a year
Paul Plowman
Public relations firm Hill+Knowlton has lost its CEO Paul Plowman after less than a year in the role, with Penelope Holloway replacing him.
Plowman joined the public relations firm in April last year having previously served as the chief of staff to former Western Australia Premier Colin Barnett. A spokeswoman for Hill+Knowlton confirmed Plowman had resigned “due to personal obligations and commitments”, with his family understood to be back in Western Australia.
Holloway was the general manager of Hill+Knowlton in Sydney and has been with the firm for the last four years.
Vivian Lines, Hill+Knowlton Strategies’ Asia Pacific chairman said in a statement: “Penelope is a proven hands-on leader, with a detailed understanding of our business and a strong focus on our clients.
“She has been a senior member of Hill+Knowlton Strategies Australia for the past 4 years and is widely respected amongst her colleagues, clients and the wider industry.
“I am confident Penelope is the right person to continue the growth of Hill+Knowlton Strategies Australia in this dynamic environment. I look forward to working with Penelope and the talented Australian management team in charting that course.”
Penelope Holloway
Holloway said: “When I was asked to take the lead at H+K Australia, I was honoured and excited in equal measure. To represent such passionate and professional group of people, as well as a brand with a heritage as rich as H+K’s, is truly a privilege.”
Plowman is an experienced operator in the corporate and government relations sector and brought to the firm a new client the largest franchiser of restaurants in Australia Competitive Foods Australia Limited, owned by Jack Cowin.
“I will continue to consult back to Hill +Knowlton in Western Australia, so I will be retained as we are looking seriously at the opportunities here and we are continuing to do that,” Plowman told Mumbrella.
This is the fourth CEO for the public relations agency in last three years following the departures of Michelle Hutton in 2011, Sue Cook in 2013.
Nic Christensen
Congratulations Pen
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Four CEOs in three years. That says a lot.
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