Hume Brophy appoints former UK government negotiator to lead global agriculture, food and trade practice
International communications and government relations firm, Hume Brophy, has announced the appointment of former UK government negotiator, Rory O’Donnell, to the newly created role of Managing Director, International Agriculture, Food and Trade.
Mr O’Donnell is one of Europe’s most senior and respected negotiators across a wide range of issues including Trade, Agriculture, Fisheries and Brexit.
He joins Hume Brophy from the UK Mission to the EU where he was responsible for the Withdrawal Agreement and Northern Ireland Protocol. Previously, he was Director for Trade and the UK’s principal negotiator across a range of Agriculture issues.
Prior to moving to Brussels, O’Donnell worked across a number of Whitehall Departments on a range of policy issues including Communications, Animal Health, Local Authority Performance and Urban Regeneration.
In this new role Mr O’Donnell is tasked with leading the growth of Hume Brophy’s agriculture and trade practice worldwide, working closely with the firm’s regional Managing Directors, senior specialists located across the firm’s key markets, and senior advisers Mella Frewen, Stuart Harbinson and Ian Wright.
Mr O’Donnell will be reporting directly to Hume Brophy’s CEO, Conall McDevitt.
Conall McDevitt, Chief Executive Officer at Hume Brophy welcomed the appointment:
“This is a major coup for our firm, and also a clear statement of intent for our ambition to become a major force internationally in agriculture, food and trade. This sector’s communications and government relations is already a core Hume Brophy offer and one where we see significant growth potential in the years ahead.
“Rory brings a unique perspective having been a senior diplomat in Brussels, senior UK civil servant and having led negotiations on a range of issues including Agriculture, Fisheries and the Northern Ireland Protocol.”
Rory O’Donnell added:
“I am very excited to be taking up this appointment at Hume Brophy. My knowledge and experience of how both the UK and EU work will enable me to provide strategic advice right across agriculture, food and trade and I look forward to working with colleagues in Hume Brophy to realise our ambition for growth.
