Belinda Skurnik commences a new chapter in the banking sector

Teneo has announced the appointment of Takashi Hirono as a Senior Managing Director, based in Tokyo. His responsibilities include collaborating across Teneo’s global advisory platform to deliver integrated, senior-level counsel to clients. He is also expected to work closely with colleagues across the firm to drive growth and strengthen client relationships in the Japanese market.

Takashi brings with him more than two decades of experience in advising senior leadership. His portfolio includes work in M&A, special situations, activism defence, investor relations, and crisis management.

In commenting on Takashi's appointment, Lauren Chung, CEO, Asia-Pacific, Strategy & Communications at Teneo, said: "His deep experience guiding clients through complex financial and high-stakes environments further strengthens the integrated, global, senior-led counsel we provide at critical moments. Working closely with our teams around the world, Takashi will support Japanese clients as they navigate increasingly dynamic financial, political and regulatory conditions to make confident, value-defining decisions."

Prior to joining Teneo, Takashi served as Executive Vice President and Head of Japan at Edelman Smithfield. Earlier in his career, he held roles in investment banking, where he supported boards and executive teams across a range of industries.

Takashi said: "For companies in Japan, delivering successful M&A, defending against activist investors and executing complex financial transactions increasingly requires careful navigation of an evolving political, regulatory, financial and stakeholder landscape. Teneo's integrated and collaborative approach is uniquely suited to helping clients manage these inflection points with clarity. I look forward to working with colleagues across our global platform to support clients as they make critical decisions that shape long-term value." 

Andrew Laidlaw has been named Partner at integrated communications agency, Fleetwood Strategy to establish and lead its Australian operations from Melbourne. He was previously Managing Director at Sodali & Co for more than three and a half years. Before this, Andrew worked in the strategic communcations and consulting sectors starting in 2008. Andrew will be joined in Melbourne by Isabelle Walker, a Fleetwood Senior Consultant who moved here from the firm's UK office. 

Philip Ritchie has started at Monash University as Media and Communications Manager for the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. He was previously Media Adviser at the Office of Hon Jacinta Allan MP, Premier of Victoria. Prior to this, Philip was Media and PR Adviser at the University of Sydney and pursued a career in journalism at Sky News Australia.