Edelman has announced that Rakesh Thukral will succeed Warren Fernandez as CEO of its Asia-Pacific (APAC) operations. Fernandez will step down from the role to pursue a new opportunity but will stay with the firm until the end of the year to facilitate a smooth transition.

 Thukral has a long-standing career with Edelman. As the current APAC chief operating officer and managing director of India, he has championed growth through a relentless focus on the firm’s clients, people and diversification of specialties and offerings across its portfolio. 

Speaking on his new role, Thukra said.“We have a strong team across the region and great client relationships across sectors and markets. I look forward to working with our teams and clients to continue elevating our work, and ensuring our clients receive solutions that help them evolve and grow their businesses in these complex times.”  

Meanwhile Ed Williams, Edelman’s President for International, spoke on the recent development stating, “I am grateful for everything that Warren has done for the firm, and for his leadership both regionally and globally. He has broadened and sharpened the firm’s capabilities in APAC, and his decades of experience in the news and media sector has been hugely important to many of our clients. We sincerely wish him all the best with his next move. 

“The APAC region continues to present significant opportunity for Edelman and our clients, and therefore remains a key focus for us. Rakesh’s experience of partnering with global companies to enter the Indian market, and for Indian businesses to expand globally, will be invaluable to our clients across the whole region. He has a deep understanding of the business, political, and societal dynamics of the region, and I have confidence that under his leadership, our business will be well positioned”, continues Williams. 

Lastly, Fernandez says, “I am grateful for having been part of the Edelman team and to have worked with some of the industry’s most talented and committed colleagues. A new opportunity has arisen which is hard to say no to; it is a role that plays to my longstanding interests in public policy, and where I will have the opportunity to engage on some of the significant political and geopolitical issues of the day”.