Integrated communications consultancy, Social, has appointed a new head of strategy in its Leeds team to continue its rapid growth since launching its Yorkshire-based office in 2016.

Racheal Johnson was previously head of communications and engagement for the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP). She joins Social with a focus on further developing the Leeds team’s strategy offer for clients across the public and private sectors.

The appointment follows a strong performance over the summer for Social in the region, with new work starting with Bradford Council, Kirklees Council, Leeds City College, Calderdale & Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust and more. In August, the team also successfully re-tendered for the delivery of strategic communications and digital services for NP11, the group of 11 northern LEPs.

Racheal said: “Having led in-house communications teams for the best part of a decade, I understand all too well the challenges that businesses and public sector bodies face in achieving communications cut-through, especially in the current climate. A clear, well-considered strategy has never been more important, and I’m looking forward to helping our growing list of public and private sector clients achieve the best possible outcomes and return on investment.

“As a former Social client myself, I’ve seen first-hand how passionate the Leeds team is about building meaningful partnerships with organisations in the region and having a positive social impact. I’m thrilled to be joining such a talented and ambitious team at a really exciting time for the business and look forward to playing my part in its continued success.”

Pete Wrathmell, Social’s Leeds MD, (pictured with Racheal) commented: “Since opening the office in Leeds four years ago, we have focused on bringing the region’s best talent into the agency, creating an environment that will allow our team to grow and develop whilst providing a first class service to our clients. We are all thrilled to have Racheal joining the team to further enhance and expand our strategy offer, ensuring we continue to provide clients with an unrivalled communications service. Her extensive communications experience ranges from working at the heart of regional politics and the West Yorkshire devolution process through to promoting the Northern Powerhouse agenda and consultation work on major transport projects – all of which will help to support our future growth plans in the region.”