Belinda Kelso starts a new role in the sports sector

COMPANION Communications has appointed Laura Smith as Senior Account Director. Based in Hong Kong, Laura joined the agency to provide strategic counsel to its travel, hospitality, and lifestyle clients.

With 15 years of agency experience across London and Hong Kong, Laura has worked with companies - from boutique brands to global household names - across corporate and consumer sectors.

During her seven years in Hong Kong, Laura has led accounts spanning F&B, travel, art, beauty, design, retail, and technology. Her portfolio includes Fortnum and Mason, Affordable Art Fair, Landmark, Rituals Cosmetics, Swire, and Normann Copenhagen. Laura also brings experience managing regional accounts, such as supporting designers like Tara Bernerd and Joyce Wang across APAC and driving Potato Head's regional tourism in Bali. 

Natalie Tan has been elevated to Marketing and Communications Manager at EU-ASEAN Business Council. Based in Singapore, she is responsible for the council's external communications strategy, including press relations, narrative development, crisis communications, reputation management, social media, and events.

Natalie had previously worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where she handled media relations, strategic communications, and social media activities. 

India Bednall has taken up a promotion at FTI Consulting Australia as Senior Director, Strategic Communications. In this role she will continue to advise clients on corporate reputation, crisis, cyber and data privacy communications. She joined the team in 2023 as Director, Strategic Communications. Prior to this, India was at Espresso Communications for six and a half years.