Firm well positioned to support companies and organizations around the world facing high-stakes change, risk and opportunity by providing innovative, integrated and tailored advisory services
7 December 2021 – Dentons Global Advisors, an elite multidisciplinary advisory firm, today announced the appointments of Jonathon Brill, Harald Kinzler, Kimberly Kriger, James Melville-Ross and Jennifer Walmsley, who join as Partners, bolstering the firm’s complex communications advisory capabilities. These five senior experts are trusted advisors to many of the world’s most recognizable brands, prominent investors, influential global institutions and high growth businesses. Kimberly is based in New York, joining the senior team there led by Adam Cubbage, Head of New York, while Jonathon, Harald, James and Jennifer are based in London, joining the senior regional team led by Deborah Scott, Head of Europe, Middle East and Africa.
These appointments deepen Dentons Global Advisors’ expertise in crisis, issue and dispute management; corporate transformation; corporate positioning; specialized financial communications; as well as environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) strategy, reinforcing the firm’s ability to provide clients with comprehensive solutions amid the pressures of high-stakes business, law and geopolitics.
“We are delighted to welcome these highly-regarded experts to our team at Dentons Global Advisors, as their exceptional experience and track records of success will prove invaluable to our mission of delivering sophisticated strategic counsel and best-in-class integrated solutions to clients in this interconnected and increasingly complex world,” said Edward Reilly, Chief Executive Officer of Dentons Global Advisors. “I look forward to collaborating with them as we continue to help clients achieve their business and growth goals, preserve and create value for their stakeholders, and shape their distinct roles in this new era of corporate responsibility and sustainable capitalism.”
Jonathon Brill (London)
Jonathon has more than 30 years of experience in complex financial communications and corporate positioning. Along with providing ongoing multistakeholder communications support for a number of United Kingdom (UK) and international clients, he has particular expertise in restructurings, private equity transactions and M&A. Most recently, Jonathon was a Senior Managing Director at FTI Consulting, where he spent the last 17 years building and leading the firm’s retail and consumer industries sector practice in the UK. Bringing extensive knowledge and a well-established track record, Jonathon will deepen Dentons Global Advisors’ expertise and play a key role developing strategic partnerships across the firm’s business lines.
Harald Kinzler (London)
Harald is an expert capital markets advisor, informed by more than a decade in communications advisory preceded by a long career in investment banking. His primary area of focus is supporting publicly listed companies going through major transformations or companies going public. Harald is a specialist in complex equity capital market (including SPACs) and cross-border M&A transactions and dual-track processes, as well as investor relations, financial communications, corporate positioning and crisis management. Most recently, Harald was a Partner at Kekst CNC, working in both London and Frankfurt. He will play an integral role helping Dentons Global Advisors’ clients around the world effectively engage with the investment community in both special situations and on an ongoing basis.
Kimberly Kriger (New York)
Kimberly brings more than 20 years of experience advising C-suites and boards of directors of U.S. and multinational companies and institutions facing complex issues related to capital markets, reputation management, sustainable value creation, stakeholder engagement, business litigation, corporate governance and emerging regulatory and public policy concerns, many of which are greater challenges than ever before. Most recently, Kimberly was a Partner at Kekst CNC, where in addition to advancing her clients’ interests and goals, she helped build new capabilities and offerings for the firm, including in its restructuring, crisis and business transformation practices. As a senior leader at Dentons Global Advisors, she will leverage her experience and expertise while also helping the firm integrate sustainability and ESG strategy into its key offerings.
James Melville-Ross (London)
James has more than 25 years of experience providing senior counsel to companies in areas such as crisis and issues management, corporate positioning and capital markets transactions. Most recently, James was a Senior Managing Director at FTI Consulting, where he established and led the Crisis Communications team, guiding companies through moments of significant reputational threat. Prior to founding the Crisis Communications team at FTI Consulting, he led the firm’s Technology, Media and Telecommunications sector team for 10 years. James is a strong advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion, particularly in the field of disability, and will play a significant role in the firm’s efforts to foster an inclusive culture and positive workplace environment.
Jennifer Walmsley (London)
Jennifer specializes in advising companies and investors on managing the increasingly complex area of ESG. She is an expert in helping clients navigate the rapidly evolving expectations of their investors and build effective stakeholder outreach and engagement strategies. Jennifer brings 19 years of experience working with management teams and boards at some of the largest companies and investors globally on issues ranging from climate change and human rights to board structure and executive remuneration. Most recently, she was a Managing Director at Teneo. Prior to that, she was Head of Investor Engagement at UK Financial Reporting Council and previously led the shareholder engagement team at Hermes Fund Managers. Jennifer will play a key role in leading Dentons Global Advisors’ ESG offering, helping clients effectively integrate ESG considerations into how they operate and build stakeholder confidence in the sustainability of their business.
On joining Dentons Global Advisors
Jonathon Brill said, “I am excited to join this ambitious global company, purpose built to meet client demands in a turbulent world. The strong relationship between Dentons Global Advisors and Dentons, combined with our senior team’s pioneering growth strategy, make this one of the most innovative and exciting firms in the business. Part of the attraction to joining is the excellent team I will be working alongside at all levels across the firm, as we bring together the best talent around. I look forward to working with this team to redefine the advisory industry.”
Harald Kinzler said, “My main ambition is to advise senior corporate executives, their companies along with their communications and IR teams on their communications efforts through success-critical situations and to achieve their long-term strategic positioning objectives. I look forward to bringing my expertise and experience at the juncture of investment banking and communications to bear for clients and colleagues at this exciting new firm.”
Kimberly Kriger said, “Change and challenge are inevitable in today’s global business environment and our value and imperative is helping clients prepare for the risks and embrace the opportunities that change brings. I am excited to join a premier strategic advisory team with the network, insight and capabilities to help clients around the world manage these challenging times and thrive.”
James Melville-Ross said, “As a strong advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion in all its forms, I look forward to building a culture of belonging at Dentons Global Advisors as well as working with our clients to establish best practice in this important part of the ESG agenda. We are trusted counsellors to business leaders, management teams and boards of directors, and establishing an equitable working environment for all employees will ensure we can consistently deliver best-in-class solutions for our clients.”
Jennifer Walmsley said, “Today’s leading CEOs know that ESG issues don’t exist in a silo anymore; they must be integrated into their strategy and operations. The best advisors mirror that approach, which is why I’m so excited by the opportunity to build a firm with sustainability at the core of its offering and ethos. I look forward to working closely with an outstanding team of colleagues at Dentons Global Advisors to ensure senior management teams and boards are armed with the expert advice they need to navigate this new reality.”
About Dentons Global Advisors
Dentons Global Advisors is an expert-led advisory firm that provides integrated solutions for clients in an increasingly complex, regulated and interconnected business environment. Comprising Albright Stonebridge Group, Interel and a deep bench of communications and strategy consultants, we help clients engage with governments and regulatory bodies, navigate public disclosures and transactions within the private and capital markets, and manage their reputations through critical moments of change, challenge or opportunity. Our relationship with Dentons, the world’s largest law firm, means clients can draw upon integrated legal expertise and strategic advisory services when and where they need them. To learn more, visit dentonsglobaladvisors.com.