Rod Clayton to head London based Issues and Crisis Group 

Rod Clayton, executive vice president and general manager of the company’s Southern California operations, has been named head of the Issues and Crisis Management group in London effective immediately.  

Clayton, who was born and educated in England, has been with Weber Shandwick and its antecedents for 12 years, based first in New York and most recently in Los Angeles.  He will report to Colin Byrne, CEO Weber Shandwick UK and Ireland. Throughout his career, he has handled a wide range of complex issues and crises for clients, ranging from the recent global product recalls for Mattel to major events such as 9/11.  He is also recognized as one of the industry’s most experienced media trainers of CEOs and senior executives.

“Rod’s consummate expertise as a crisis specialist is widely recognized. Our growing global crisis network is now enhanced with a bolstered European presence that will be of immense value to our clients,” said Andy Polansky, president, Weber Shandwick.

"I've wanted to move back home to the UK for some time and I'm delighted I have the opportunity to do so," said Clayton. "I am looking forward to focusing on enhancing the growth of Weber Shandwick's capabilities in issues and crisis, especially in the UK and Europe.  It's what I love doing, so this is an exciting move."