MHP Communications promotes trio including former News of the World political editor Ian Kirby who becomes corporate affairs MD

MHP has promoted Ian Kirby to a managing director role within its corporate affairs practice and has made Christian Pickel and Simon Hockridge directors within its financial practice.

Kirby (pictured) provides senior counsel across the firm’s portfolio of clients and manages the company’s media training offer. He also hosts MHP‘s political panel events.

He joined MHP’s corporate affairs practice as director in September 2012 after 13 years as political editor of the News of the World.

Pickel, who was previously an associate director in MHP’s financial practice, currently advises a number of major institutional and retail asset management houses as well as wider financial services clients. He specialises in creating financial services campaigns for multinational clients across Europe and the US. He joined MHP in 2011.

Hockridge’s client roster includes financial services companies, as well as a number of high profile listed retail and consumer brands. He joined MHP eight years ago from FS company Hargreaves Lansdown.

Gavin Devine, MHP chief executive, said: “Recognising and rewarding talent is a key part of our strategy to continue to nurture our people and grow our business. These well-deserved promotions reflect the contribution each individual makes to MHP and the added value and dedication they deliver to clients.”