28th January 2013
David Blair to lead FITCH Europe & Russia
David Blair has been appointed Managing Director, Europe and Russia after five years working for the company in India.
David first joined FITCH in London in 2005 as part of the newly-created Global Development team. As Global Development Director, he managed some of our key global clients including Nokia, Unilever and Nestle. Responsible for exploring opportunities in India, he became MD of FITCH’s first Indian studio in Mumbai in 2007.
Now in its fifth year, FITCH Mumbai is a flourishing branding and design studio, focused on taking branding and retail design projects from strategy, brand identity, environments design and architecture through to roll out. Blair opened FITCH’s second studio in India in Delhi in 2011 to service the growing number of Delhi-based clients including L&T, Walmart, PepsiCo, and Nestle.
Blair’s appointment as MD Europe and Russia comes as FITCH embed their longstanding operations in Russia, opening the thirteenth and newest office in the group in Moscow. As MD of Europe and Russia, based in London, Blair will report to FITCH’s CEO, Lois Jacobs. He will drive new business across the territories, oversee client development to continue to foster long-term relationships and deliver defining and effective brand solutions.
CEO Lois Jacobs, said: “I am thrilled that David has returned to London as MD of our European and Russian operations. His track record in developing businesses is first rate. His strategic expertise, strong leadership and deep understanding of brand make him the perfect person to help shape our business going forward.”
David Blair said: “After five fantastic years in India, it is great to be returning to London. FITCH is a business that’s constantly looking forward in an effort to discover innovative and exciting opportunities for our clients’ brands and customers. As well as growing our existing operations and continuing to establish our Moscow office on the back of our already flourishing Russian business, we will be exploring new avenues that will help to extend our reach throughout Europe and the wider region.”
Prior to joining FITCH, David completed his MBA at The Bath School of Management before which he was a founder member of a digital branding and marketing agency, where his clients included Tesco, Honda and Fidelity.
David Blair replaces Lucy Unger who served as MD for Europe & Russia out of the London office for 11 years. Unger transferred to Mumbai to head up FITCH India.