Bud establishes presence in the Philippines

FTI Consulting has announced a series of senior appointments to the financial communications and special situations practice within its strategic communications segment across Asia.

Kainoa Blaisdell has rejoined FTI Consulting as a Managing Director in Singapore as previously reported on Telum.

Joining Kainoa in Singapore is Justin Teh, who has also returned to the consultancy as Senior Director. He brings experience advising on multi-stakeholder transactions, including M&A, IPOs, activism defence, and restructurings. In his new role, Justin also supports clients with investor relations programmes, as well as advises asset and wealth management firms across the region on issues management and corporate reputation strategies.

In Hong Kong, Rita Fong has been promoted to Managing Director. Her remit includes leading financial communications engagements in Hong Kong, specialising in deal advisory, investor relations, and crisis management for listed companies. Rita will also advise clients on a range of M&A and special situations, including shareholder disputes, activism, proxy fights, hostile takeovers, and restructurings.

The appointments build on the arrival of Jason Leow as a Senior Managing Director based in Singapore in December 2025, as previously reported on Telum.

“These appointments and the promotion of Rita underscore our commitment to building the strongest financial communications and special situations bench in Asia,” said Tom Evrard, Head of Strategic Communications, Asia at FTI Consulting.

“Kainoa and Justin both bring deep sector expertise and proven track records in advising clients through complex transactions and reputation challenges. Combined with Jason’s market leadership and Rita’s extensive transaction experience, we are exceptionally well-positioned to help clients navigate Asia’s highly dynamic transaction landscape. With increasing deal complexity, cross-border activity, and heightened regulatory scrutiny, clients need advisors who truly understand - and that is exactly what this team brings.”

Mark McCall, Global Head of Strategic Communications at FTI Consulting, added: “In an environment of heightened deal activity, aggressive shareholder scrutiny and complex special situations, clients demand advisors who can move with precision, speed and deep market intelligence.

“This strengthened team in Asia significantly enhances our global M&A and activism offering, delivering seamless cross-border support and data-driven strategies that protect and create value for clients. As Asia remains a critical driver of global deal flow, this integrated capability ensures clients receive regionally nuanced counsel across the full transaction lifecycle.” 

NorthStar Insights has been appointed as a media partner for SuperReturn Middle East 2026, organised by Informa. The private capital gathering convenes more than 600 senior decision-makers, which takes place from 13 to 15 October 2026 at The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC, Dubai.

The firm will lead press and media relations for the event, delivering a dedicated media strategy, senior journalist engagement across regional and international financial media and coverage support throughout the conference cycle, working directly with Informa's marketing team from through to October.

"Gulf capital is being scrutinised in a way it has not been before, as investors, policymakers, and the international press try to read a region navigating conflict, recalibrating its economic ambitions, and deepening its footprint across Asia and the West. The quality of that coverage matters. SuperReturn Middle East is where the most consequential conversations in private capital happen and we are proud to help ensure they reach the audiences that need to hear them," said Arth Malani, Founder and CEO of NorthStar Insights.

“As private capital in the Gulf navigates an inflection point, NorthStar Insights' appointment reflects a growing recognition that how the region's investment story is told matters as much as the capital flows themselves.

A representative from SuperReturn Middle East said, “We are delighted to partner with NorthStar Insights to build visibility for SuperReturn's flagship Middle East event. The region is embarking on a new chapter, and having the right partner to help shed light on the key debates and conversations is more important than ever. Working with NorthStar will allow us to deepen our visibility and coverage across the market helping position SuperReturn Middle East as the platform to turbocharge this new phase of dealmaking in the region and beyond."

SBM Marketing Communications has rebranded to Lumitas.

The rebrand reflects the agency’s expanding communications and creative capabilities, investment in proprietary technology, AI-enabled workflows, new facilities and an integrated delivery model spanning Australia and Chennai.

It also brings together creative, communications, production and technology into one connected team designed to help organisations navigate the marketing landscape.

The name draws inspiration from the concepts of light (Lumen) and truth (Veritas), reflecting the business's heritage in photography and creative production, and its communication and PR capabilities.

James Hannan, CEO of Lumitas, said: "SBM has been part of the marketing industry for more than 50 years and we're incredibly proud of that history. Lumitas builds on that, creating a brand that better reflects who we are today and the future we're building for our clients.

“The business changed before the name did. Lumitas simply gives us a clearer identity for where we are now and where we're heading, which is all in aid of making life easier for our clients.”