Grayling CEO Michael Murphy told O’Dwyer’s that he’s stepping down because he wants to “have a ‘plural career’ and develop a portfolio of interests” that will include the Huntsworth unit.

Mike Murphy
Murphy
He will remain CEO until a successor is in place sometime in 2013 and then continue as Grayling’s part-time, non-executive chairman. The majority of that time will be devoted to Grayling, he noted. Murphy said he discussed his plan with Huntsworth “for some time.”

Peter Chadlington, Huntsworth CEO, praised Murphy as a “central architect of the successful strategy to merge many of our businesses to form a single brand and attract larger multi-office clients.”

Murphy anticipates a seamless management transition and “no change at all as I continue in my current role.”

He’s eager to develop interests that play to his years of international experience. Murphy has headed Shandwick’s Asian and European operations.