APCO Adds Former UK Foreign Secretary Media Lead to Global Solutions Team

London – March 26, 2018: Simon McGee, former press secretary for UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, has joined APCO Worldwide, announced CEO Brad Staples.

Based in the firm’s London office, McGee will serve as executive director in APCO’s Global Solutions practice, and will help lead the practice internationally, working in partnership with Frank Lowenstein, who recently joined to head up the practice from Washington, D.C.

“Helping clients successfully navigate reputational challenges, investment opportunities, crises and complex geopolitical issues is at the core of what we do at APCO,” said Staples. “Simon brings deep insights into the workings of government communications, extensive media relationships, a proven track record of building international communication networks and the valuable perspective of a former parliamentary lobby correspondent. We are delighted to welcome him to APCO and look forward to seeing the Global Solutions team grow further under his and Frank’s leadership.”

McGee has extensive experience leading communications across the British government and advising senior leaders in the UK, including Mr Johnson and his predecessor as Foreign Secretary, now Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond.

During his time as a senior civil servant in the British government, McGee served as a personal communications advisor to four Cabinet ministers and as the head of media for three government departments, including leading HM Diplomatic Service’s worldwide media operation.

In his various roles, McGee developed and delivered communication efforts around foreign and domestic policy initiatives and international crises. His work at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office ranged across the breadth of Britain’s diplomatic activity with a particular focus on Europe, the Middle East and US, the multilateral system, and international security. McGee also led award-winning teams delivering impactful campaigns on Britain’s gender equality work in Africa and Asia, and on the UK’s successful Ebola response in West Africa, and organized government transport communications around the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

Before joining the UK government, McGee was a parliamentary lobby correspondent and reporter for several outlets, including The Sunday Times, Mail on Sunday and Yorkshire Post.

“APCO’s mission helping clients to succeed in high stakes international challenges, combined with the immense talent of its people and its relentlessly positive culture, are what drew me to joining,” said McGee.

“I am thrilled to have been invited to help lead the APCO Global Solutions practice and cannot wait to put my skills, experience and effort into delivering the very best outcomes for our clients.”

McGee joins a distinguished team of global affairs experts at APCO, including Frank Lowenstein, Nicholas Whyte, Ido Aharoni, Spencer Boyer and Sir Graham Watson.