Award-winning PR & marketing agency, Pier, has appointed Amy Bendall as managing director. Pier is owned by CEO and founder Kate Bowden Smith, who previously held the role MD. The promotion for incumbent director Amy marks the first time the business has made this appointment.

Amy has been at Pier for almost five years, overseeing a range of accounts including the growing food and drink division. With two decades of experience from leading London PR agencies to in-house positions at pub company Greene King and environmental campaigning group Friends of the Earth, Amy brings a diverse skillset to the position.

Kate Bowden Smith commented: “I am delighted to welcome Amy as Pier’s new managing director.  A seasoned communications professional with a wealth of experience, Amy has already shown great leadership in her role as director. The business is in a strong position with a number of key wins over the last year and I am really looking forward to the next chapter with Amy at the helm.”

Amy Bendall said: “Pier is thriving, with a strong female senior management team, talented colleagues and impressive clients, and I am hugely proud of us all. With the business on an upward trajectory, it is an exciting time to take the reins and drive further growth.”

Recent new business wins for Pier include RWE, Del Monte®, change management consultancy Quo Change and ready meal brand Mansby Street Kitchen.

Pier was founded in 2008 by Kate and has a team of 18 working across global, national and regional accounts. Offering an integrated communications service, the business has specialist divisions in renewable energy and food & drink. Clients include ScottishPower Renewables, Greene King, and Homepride.