Trafigura Beheer BV brings in Victora Dix for senior comms role

In the newly created role Dix, formerly MD of Cohn & Wolfe’s Swiss arm, will be responsible for setting the media relations governance and strategy for Trafigura.

Replacing her in the role at Cohn & Wolfe will be Elaine Carroll.

Dix said that her appointment was part of a wider expansion of the in-house team, which will see three to four comms figures brought in globally.

‘This is a fascinating industry to join at a time when the supply and demand of the world's energy resources are constantly in the headlines,’ she added.

The company, which deals in the supply and transport of crude oil, coal, petroleum and renewable energies, is the third largest independent oil trader in the world.

Dix moves into the role having joined Cohn & Wolfe London in 1995 as an account director, leading the VISA International account before setting up the agency’s Swiss base in 2001. She will report to Mark Eadie, head of corporate affairs.

Trafigura hit the headlines in 2009 after attempts by law firm Carter-Ruck on behalf of the company to block coverage of a parliamentry question relating to a report on the dumping of toxic waste in the Ivory Coast  failed.

In her new job at Cohn & Wolfe, Carroll, meanwhile, will lead client and employee development having worked for the agency since 2007.

Scott Wilson, UK CEO and MD EMEA, said: ‘Elaine's strengths lie in her international outlook, experience and ability to oversee and adapt global communications campaigns for local European markets.’

With more than 15 years of international PR experience, Carroll has worked with B2C and B2B clients across Switzerland, Europe, the US and Asia. Before joining Cohn & Wolfe, she was practice head at Hotwire Public Relations.

This article was first published on prweek.com