Ruder Finn launches global reputation and risk management unit

Ruder Finn has announced the formation of a new reputation & risk management practice within the firm. The practice will be led by Charles Lankester, who is promoted to executive vice president, global reputation & risk management.Lankester will be based in Hong Kong and will be tasked with developing the resources, network and capabilities to deliver high-value services to Ruder Finn’s clients.In addition to Lankester’s new role, executive vice president Christine Dusek and director of connected communications Robin Grainger will respectively lead Ruder Finn’s United States and European capabilities and serve as senior advisors to clients and colleagues.Kathy Bloomgarden, Ruder Finn CEO, said, "Reputation risk is a primary issue for all our clients and is accelerated by their increasingly international operations and instant social circulation of news, images and data. Corporations now operate in a real-time response environment and traditional “crisis management” techniques, protocols and practices simply do not work in 2016."“With a career that encompasses experiences across all regions, Lankester has represented some of the world’s best known corporations and Governments. He is ideally suited to lead and build our new Practice and will bring innovative thinking and a dynamic management style as we build it into a global leadership position,” said Jean-Michel Dumont, chairman of Ruder Finn Asia.