Hill+Knowlton Strategies names new regional CEO, SVP

Bashar Al-Kadhi

Hill+Knowlton Strategies has named Bashar Al-Kadhi as the new CEO MENA, overseeing H+K’s business across the MENA and Turkey. He will assume the position in September.
Al-Kadhi joins from the role of COO at H+K’s fellow WPP company ASDA’A Burson-Masteller, a position he has filled since 2010.
Prior to that he held several senior PR posts across the Middle East, serving as SVP and group controller at the i2 Group, director of public affairs at the Coca-Cola Company and a founding member of Intermarkets PR.
Al-Kadhi will also join H+K’s EMEA management team and serve as SVP, EMEA.
“I am very pleased to have Bashar Al-Kadhi onboard; he comes very highly recommended from clients, colleagues and senior executives alike. Bashar brings with him a number of qualities to our company, including a dynamic and entrepreneurial spirit and a keen intellect. But first and foremost he is a client man and I look forward to having him engage with our existing and new clients in the region,” said Lars Erik Gronntun, chairman and CEO H+K EMEA.
“I am truly excited to take on this new challenge. Hill+Knowlton Strategies was the first international PR company to establish in the Middle East and has a long history in the region. Now it is my turn to be the steward of this legacy and take the company into the next phase,” said Al-Kadhi.
Sconaid McGeachin, current CEO, will transition in to the role of SVP, EMEA where she will have a special responsibility for talent and professional development in the EMEA region. She will also oversee H+K’s African operations, in addition to her considerable client engagements.
“I want to thank Sconaid for her dedicated service. Sconaid has, since assuming the CEO position in 2012, worked tirelessly for the company and the region,” said Gronntun.