Natalie MacGregor starts as Senior Media Liaison

Citigate Dewe Rogerson (CDR) has appointed KW Lam as APAC Deputy CEO, strengthening its regional leadership team.

Based in Hong Kong, KW joins CDR and works alongside Jasmine Yap, APAC CEO to oversee the firm's operations across the region. He's working closely with in-market leadership teams to deepen collaboration across Asia Pacific, strengthen CDR's integrated offering and support the next phase of the firm's growth.

KW brings more than 30 years' experience in strategic financial communications, investor relations and business leadership, spanning both in-house and agency roles. He has held senior positions with multinational corporations, including Chinese enterprises and international consultancies, advising on reputation, corporate positioning and communications strategy while building and leading teams across the region.

Most recently, KW was Head of International Public Relations at Ping An Insurance Group, where he led the company's growth narrative with international capital markets stakeholders and advised senior management. Before that, he spent a decade at Hill+Knowlton Hong Kong (now Burson Hong Kong), including four years as Managing Director.

Jasmine Yap, APAC CEO, CDR said, "KW is an outstanding addition to our leadership team. He combines senior advisory expertise, commercial leadership and deep knowledge of the markets in which we and our clients operate. As our business grows across Asia-Pacific, we see a significant opportunity to bring our teams and capabilities closer together while continuing to invest in the local expertise that sets CDR apart. KW will play a central role in delivering that ambition and I am delighted to welcome him."

KW said, "CDR has built an impressive platform in Asia-Pacific, with strong local teams, deep sector expertise and a clear understanding of the complex environments in which clients operate. I am excited to join the business and work with Jasmine and colleagues across the region. There is a real opportunity to build on CDR's strengths, connect our expertise more effectively and draw on the wider Accordience network to deliver greater value for clients, both in Asia-Pacific and internationally."

Alexis Wilson has been appointed Director of Strategic Communications at Envoy Public Affairs, leading the firm's newly launched Communications, Reputation, and Issues Advisory practice.

Formerly known as TG Public Affairs, the firm recently rebranded following its separation from law firm Thomson Geer (now Thomsons). Headquartered in Melbourne, with offices in Canberra, Sydney, and Brisbane, Envoy employs former political operatives from across the political spectrum.

Alexis brings more than 25 years of communications experience, including senior roles at Optus and Hotwire PR in Australia, IBM and its spin-off company Kyndryl in Singapore, and Edelman and LaunchSquad in New York.

Hawthorn Advisors, an independent strategic communications firm with offices in London, New York and Abu Dhabi, has welcomed Amer Aïdi as Partner. In this role, he leads business growth for the Abu Dhabi office, advising government, sovereign and private sector clients on strategic communications, reputation and stakeholder engagement, while serving the firm's existing client base, working alongside Partner Tracey McLaine.

Amer brings more than 25 years of communications experience, including reputation and crisis management and public affairs, and has worked with government institutions and agencies. He has worked at Hub71, Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), Waha Capital, Omnicom Media Group, Abu Dhabi Finance and Weber Shandwick. Most recently, Amer was Communications Advisor to the Director General at ADIO.

”To have Amer join us at Hawthorn is terrific and he will be another valuable Partner in the Abu Dhabi office and the firm more broadly,” said John Evans, CEO, Hawthorn Advisors. “Amer brings a wealth of experience from consultancy, as well as in-house positions in the private and public sectors, most recently at ADIO where he was a Communications Advisor to the Director General. Our team in Abu Dhabi is going from strength to strength, and I am excited for what can be achieved."