Corporate adviser firm Sodali hires Crawford for shareholder advisory, Micci for comms

By Svea Herbst-Bayliss

NEW YORK, Jan 7 (Reuters) - Sodali, which offers advice on mergers, proxy solicitations and handling activist investor campaigns, hired a veteran defense banker and a senior public relations executive, the firm said, as corporate activists demand more change at global companies.

The firm hired Aneliya Crawford, who had been global head of activism defense at UBS, as chief partnerships officer and global head of shareholder advisory and it brought in Liz Micci, a former partner at communications firm FGS Global, as chief client officer and global head of strategic communications.

Sodali also hired Nadia Krivickova from Forensic Risk Alliance as the firm's chief people officer and promoted firm veteran Brett Clegg to chief commercial officer.

Sodali Chief Executive Andrew Benett said the newly created senior roles will strengthen the firm's ability to respond to client needs with integrated shareholder, sustainability and strategic communications advisory services.

Sodali, which is majority owned by private equity firm TPG has headquarters in New York, London, and Sydney and serves 2,000 clients in 70 countries, according to its website.

The new hires come after activist investors last year launched a record 255 campaigns at global companies as market volatility, favorable financing conditions and more deal activity made for ideal conditions to lobby for changes.

Crawford, who had been a partner at two law firms before moving into banking, will oversee shareholder advisory which includes M&A advisory, activism defense, proxy solicitation, and capital markets intelligence.

With Micci, Sodali also expects to build out its strategic communications practice in the United States, including offering financial and transaction communication and crisis and special situations communication.

Both law firms and banks have been building out their abilities in countering investors pushing for changes, ranging from refreshing boards of directors to selling companies.

(Reporting by Svea Herbst-Bayliss; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)

((svea.herbst@thomsonreuters.com; +617 233 2138; Reuters Messaging: svea.herbst.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net/))