International law firm DAC Beachcroft is pleased to announce that it has appointed Brooke Johnston to the newly created role of Strategic Communications Director.
Brooke joined DACB in 2018 and was previously the firm's Head of Communications and Reputation Management. Prior to this, she worked in PR and comms roles in international law firms, including Dentons and Trowers & Hamlins, as well as in London-based professional services and financial PR agencies.
Brooke led DACB's Noisy Innovation comms campaign during 2021, which focused on innovation at the firm and included the launch of a 360-degree augmented reality experience for clients and colleagues. The campaign scooped multiple awards including 'Leading PR and Communications Innovation' at the Legal Innovation Awards, 'Best Internal Communications from the Professional Services Sector' at the Internal Communications and Engagement Awards and 'Best Use of Digital Techniques or Technologies' at the B2B Marketing Awards. Following her work on the campaign, Brooke was also personally named a 'Best Business Leader' by professional services recruiter Totum.
Virginia Clegg, DAC Beachcroft’s Senior Partner, said, “The world has changed considerably in the last few years. We've experienced a pandemic, seen a rise in hybrid and other new ways of working, and the pace of technological change continues to accelerate. There is increased uncertainty and polarisation across the globe, as well as heightened scrutiny of the legal sector.
"Our clients and colleagues are demanding more of us as senior leaders and as responsible businesses. They want transparency and authenticity and to make meaningful connections. Proactively managing our reputation and communicating in a way that cuts through the noise is a business essential and, with Brooke on board, we are confident we will continue to navigate this increasingly challenging landscape successfully."
David Pollitt, DACB's Managing Partner, added, "As our business has continued to expand and evolve, so has our approach to communications. We are a much larger business now, having grown our international footprint significantly since 2019, and we are a more complex organisation. Ensuring we communicate in a way that engages our colleagues, clients and other key stakeholders and positively influences how they see our firm is a high priority for us.
"Since joining DACB, Brooke has done an outstanding job leading on comms, demonstrating again and again the value good comms can add. Bringing her expertise and skillset into the senior leadership team signals our commitment to continue placing communications at the heart of everything we do."
Commenting on her appointment, Brooke said, “It's great to work in a firm where comms are so highly valued and seen as essential to the success of the business. I’m very much looking forward to continuing to work with David, Virginia and the rest of the senior leadership team in this new role.”
