NATIONAL Public Relations doubling down on Public Affairs, two of Canada’s leading voices join its Toronto office

Former Ontario deputy minister Drew Fagan and veteran public affairs advisor Bob Richardson join NATIONAL Public Relations as Senior Counsel to the Firm, providing strategic and forward thinking advisory services on high profile public and private sector matters.

“Both Drew and Bob are a natural fit for this firm, our clients and their needs. We will all benefit from their unique perspective and leadership experiences,” says Rick Murray, Managing Partner of NATIONAL’s Toronto Office and the Firm’s Chief Digital Strategist.

Mr. Fagan spent 12 years in executive roles with the governments of Ontario and Canada including Deputy Minister responsible for the 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games and Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport at Queen’s Park. He also spent four years as Deputy Minister of Infrastructure, with responsibility for Ontario's first 10-year infrastructure plan, now valued at almost $150-billion. Before becoming a public servant and diplomat in 2004, Mr. Fagan worked at The Globe and Mail, where he was parliamentary bureau chief, editorial page editor, foreign editor, associate editor of Report on Business and Washington correspondent. He will continue to serve as a senior fellow at the Public Policy Forum, C.D. Howe Institute, and University of Toronto’s of Munk School of Global Affairs.

“I am excited to join the NATIONAL team. The firm has been at the center of issues and industries that matter to business leaders across Canada and I look forward to working with my new colleagues and stakeholders,” said Mr. Fagan.

Mr. Richardson brings over 25 years of public affairs experience in both the public and private sectors. His previous roles include Executive Vice President at Edelman, Senior-Vice President at Ipsos Reid and Vice-President at The Angus Reid Group. In the Ontario Government, he served as Chief of Staff to the Leader of the Opposition, and as Chief of Staff to the Minister of Colleges and Universities, the Minister of Natural Resources and the Minister of Energy. Bringing together his private and public experience, Mr. Richardson co-founded The Devon Group (2003), a company that was acquired by Edelman in 2014, where he built one of Ontario’s most reputable public affairs agencies. Bob also serves as vice-chair of the board of The Ontario Centres of Excellence, director of Soccer Canada, and a member of the Board of Governors of George Brown College.

“I am joining NATIONAL at a time of immense change and innovation in the communications industry. The firm has a unique model and culture and I look forward to working alongside the outstanding team of professionals,” said Mr. Richardson.

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September 7, 2017 - NATIONAL News Release

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