Change at the top of Peterborough-created communications agency

Athene Communications, in Priestgate, has appointed industry veteran Rachel Wild as its managing director, with the current managing director and company founder Richard Astle becoming executive chairman.

Rachel, who is currently deputy managing director and has 20 years’ experience of television and radio journalism in the UK, Europe and America, will take on the day-to-day management of the company.

She said: “I am delighted to have this opportunity to lead Athene in a new period of growth.

“We have an excellent team, great clients and a trusted brand. None of that is going to change. In particular our reputation for high quality, strategic outcomes is something I want to build on.”

She is credited with driving the expansion of Athene since her arrival seven years ago, winning contracts with international clients such as Royal HaskoningDHV and the Maersk Group as well as local companies and organisations such as Peterborough Investment Partnership, Peterborough Regional College and Nene Park Trust.

Richard, who will be responsible for strategy and business development, said: “I decided three years ago that I wanted to appoint a managing director to run the company and Rachel has been shadowing me for the last 18 months. She is a natural communicator and a great leader, establishing trusted relationships with clients and employees.

“I look forward to working with Rachel to take our ambitious agenda forward.”

Richard set up Athene in 2003 after an earlier career in the British Foreign Office and then with Pearl Assurance.

He will continue to work for his clients and focus on the long-term development of the company, as well as on his non-executive roles with Natural Cambridgeshire, the Langdyke Countryside Trust and most recently as a member of the Combined Authority’s Independent Commission on Climate Change.