Sphera Franchise Group has appointed Ioana Barbu Florea as its new Communications Director, strengthening its management team as the group continues to expand its portfolio of international food service brands.
Sphera Franchise Group is one of the major operators in Romania’s food service industry, managing a portfolio that includes KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Cioccolatitaliani, Hard Rock Cafe and wagamama through franchise operations.
In her new role, Ioana Barbu Florea will oversee the group’s overall communications strategy, covering corporate and brand communications, crisis communications, internal communication and CSR initiatives. She will also provide support in the company’s relationship with investors.
„În ultimii doi ani, portofoliul Sphera s-a dublat ca număr de branduri, de la trei la șase, fiecare cu un profil, un stadiu de dezvoltare și priorități diferite. Este o evoluție importantă, care crește complexitatea comunicării la nivel de Grup, de la relația cu presa și mediul de business, la comunicarea internă pentru o echipă de peste 5.000 de oameni, până la dialogul cu investitorii, în calitate de companie listată la Bursa de Valori București. Ioana vine cu experiența de care avem nevoie într-un astfel de context și sunt convins că va avea o contribuție importantă la poziționarea și reputația Grupului”, a declarat Călin Ionescu, CEO, Sphera Franchise Group.
More than 17 years of experience in communications and marketing
Ioana Barbu Florea brings more than 17 years of experience in communications and marketing, having held management positions both within communications agencies and international companies.
Throughout her career, she has developed and managed corporate, brand and internal communications strategies for clients and organizations operating in a range of industries, including financial and banking services, technology, energy, FMCG and legal services.
Before joining Sphera Franchise Group, Barbu Florea led internal communications activities at the Romanian office of a global Big Four professional services firm. She also managed brand and marketing activities for the technology services center of the same organization.
Her previous role involved working closely with leadership teams on corporate positioning and reputation management initiatives.
Focus on trust, consistency and authentic communication
Barbu Florea joins Sphera at a significant stage in the group’s development, with communication playing an increasingly important role in maintaining a consistent identity across its growing portfolio of brands.
„Mă bucur să mă alătur echipei Sphera într-o etapă importantă pentru dezvoltarea Grupului. Într-un context în care devine tot mai dificil să evaluăm credibilitatea informației, rolul esențial al comunicării este să construiască încredere prin claritate, consecvență și autenticitate. Îmi doresc să contribui la consolidarea unei comunicări coerente la nivelul Grupului, păstrând, în același timp, vocea distinctă a fiecărui brand”, a declarat Ioana Barbu Florea, Director de Comunicare, Sphera Franchise Group.
Education and professional background
Ioana Barbu Florea graduated from the Faculty of Communication and Public Relations at the National University of Political Studies and Public Administration (SNSPA) in Bucharest.
She later completed a master’s degree in International Public Relations at Cardiff University in the United Kingdom.
Her appointment comes as Sphera Franchise Group continues to operate an expanding portfolio of six brands and a workforce of more than 5,000 employees.
