Teneo Expands Australian Strategy & Communications Team

Vector has bolstered its comms team with the appointment of Justine Banfield as Communications Manager on a 12-month contract. She joins the utilities company in Auckland after more than five years as Head of Communications & Engagement at NZ Health Partnerships.

With over two decades’ comms experience, Justine has worked across a range of sectors, including government, F&B, and education. She also ran her own agency, Jigsaw Communications, from 2009 to 2016.

RICE, A FINN Partners Company, has been appointed as the strategic communications and public relations partner for the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), a founding member of the University of the Arts Singapore (UAS). The retainer follows a competitive tender and took effect in July 2026.

RICE is working with NAFA's Marketing and Communications Office to strengthen the institution’s positioning and bring greater visibility to its academic, artistic and cultural contributions in Singapore and the region. The mandate spans strategic counsel, media relations, thought leadership and issues management.

"NAFA is one of Singapore's most important cultural institutions, with an influence that extends across arts, education and society," said James Brasher, Managing Partner, RICE, A FINN Partners Company. "As Southeast Asian arts and culture gain greater international attention, there is an opportunity to amplify the ideas, perspectives and expertise emerging from this region. We look forward to working with NAFA to strengthen its voice in these conversations."

“NAFA’s contribution to Singapore and the region is substantial, and there is a real opportunity to bring the depth of that work to wider audiences,” said Wei Chong Chin, Director, Marketing and Communications, NAFA. “As we build towards our NAFA100 vision, we want our communications to reflect NAFA’s purpose, strengths and the role it can play in shaping the future of arts and arts education. RICE brings an external perspective and communications expertise that will help us tell that story with greater clarity and impact. We look forward to building this next chapter together.

Vivien Choi has joined Anchorpoint in Hong Kong as Branding and Comms Lead. In this role, she oversees branding, corporate communications, events and market positioning for the Hong Kong-licensed stablecoin issuers.

Vivien joins from Hex Trust and has previously held communications and marketing roles at OSL and OKX. She also has agency experience with WE Communications.

"Great brands aren't built by talking about technology. They're built by helping people see possibility, understand value, and develop trust. When innovation is communicated with clarity and purpose, adoption becomes a natural outcome,” said Vivien on her joining.