Wednesday, February 20, 2013, 04:51 pm

Apple reportedly hires Rolls-Royce exec to head EMEIA corporate relations

By Mikey Campbell

Rolls-Royce Director of External Corporate Communications Josh Rosenstock is rumored to have left the auto maker to take on a new position at Apple, which will reportedly task the executive with handling corporate relations in the Europe, Middle East, India and Africa region.


Rosenstock is believed to be filling a newly created role in Apple's exective hierarchy as the EMEIA region becomes more important to the company's bottom line, reports PRWeek, citing one person familiar with the move.

The "heavyweight" hire is said to the result of Apple's continued expansion into burgeoning markets, where corporate affairs are essential given their ties to each region's unique regulatory and political issues.

"This is an acknowledgement from Apple there’s a need for wider horsepower when it comes to links with Whitehall stakeholders," said a separate source, referring to British governmental agencies. "As Apple becomes an institution in its own right it needs to upskill in this area."

Previously, Rosenstock worked in similar roles at Rolls-Royce, tech firm Misys and RWE Thames Water.

It is believed that the new hire will be under the guidance of Senior Director of EMEIA Corporate Communications Alan Hely.