European communications group Rud Pedersen makes its next move, opening London office

Rud Pedersen Group, one of Europe’s fastest-growing public affairs and strategic communications firms, enters has entered the UK market by establishing an office of their brand Rud Pedersen Public Affairs in London.

Jon Aarons has been hired to spearhead the initiative from Sard Verbinnen, where he successfully led the growth of the US consultancy’s European business, after many years in global leadership roles at FTI Consulting. A specialist in cross-border reputation management, Aarons brings deep experience over three decades of transactions and campaigns in multiple global markets. He is a past President of the UK’s Chartered Institute of Public Relations.

CEO and President Morten Rud Pedersen said: “The UK is a key market for all of Europe, an essential component in supporting our clients with joined-up solutions to the critical issues they are navigating in today’s complex economic and political landscape. From our strong Nordic heritage and 20-year track record in public affairs, we have diversified and accelerated our geographic reach throughout Northern Europe, offering a unique combination of international scale and know-how.” The office will officially open on 10th January 2022.

Jon Aarons commented: “The dislocations of Brexit and the pandemic have made the British market a more complex and challenging, although no less significant, place to do business. London remains an indispensable global centre for political, financial, corporate and media engagement. Having known and worked with Morten and the Rud Pedersen team for many years, I’m thrilled to come aboard now and play my part in its ongoing success."

“The UK is a key market for all of Europe. As a group we have an incredible geographic reach to service our clients with the Nordics and the Baltics as well as the central markets Germany and Brussels – our footprint is unique among international players.” says Morten Rud Pedersen, CEO of and President of the Group.

In addition to his role as Managing Partner of Rud Pedersen UK, Aarons will serve as Group Director for Strategic Development, working closely alongside Morten Rud Pedersen and the senior management team on the continuing growth and evolution of the firm.

Founded in Sweden in 2002, Rud Pedersen established market leadership positions in the four main Nordic markets before successfully building more recent operations in Brussels, Berlin, Tallinn and Vilnius. Around one in five of its 350 employees are currently shareholders in the Group. The team responsible for the opening will be Morten Rud Pedersen (CEO and President) and Jon Aarons (Group Director for Strategic Development and Managing Partner). Aarons brings more than 35 years of experience as a communications advisor and has worked in senior roles in top consultancies globally. As Group Director for Strategic Development, he will work closely alongside CEO Morten Rud Pedersen to maintain the company’s growth momentum.