Via strengthens senior communications capability with strategic appointments

Dylan Quinnell has joined the team at the Global Strategic Communications Council (GSCC) as Senior Associate, Electrification. He has just wrapped up a short-term contract as Media Consultant at Beyond Zero Emissions and, prior to that, was Media Manager at ENGIE AU. 

Dylan has held a number of in-house roles at NFPs, including at World Vision New Zealand, Oxfam Australia and CARE Australia. 

Vero, a communications consultancy with offices across Southeast Asia, has appointed Laura Spence (pictured) as Senior Advisor, ASEAN, supporting business growth, client experience, and talent development across the region.

Laura brings over 15 years of industry experience working with global brands across Asia Pacific on integrated communications and corporate reputation. She has played a key role in work that blends PR with social impact and stakeholder advocacy, including the Cannes Lion-winning #LetHerGrow campaign for Dove in Thailand.

Laura works closely with teams from both Vero and the government relations consultancy Vero Advocacy, and collaborates with teams and business units across Southeast Asia. “I’m excited to step into this role and work alongside our incredible teams across Southeast Asia,” said Laura. “Vero’s growth trajectory is nothing short of impressive, and with that momentum comes the opportunity to raise the bar on the impact we create for our clients.”

“I’ve always believed that the best work comes from teams built on curiosity, kindness and trust. With our team’s collective strengths across integrated communications, strategy, creative, influencer marketing and government relations, I can’t wait for what lies ahead.”

“Laura is passionate about culture, driving excellence in the work, and helping colleagues grow,” said Umaporn Whittaker-Thompson, Chief Commercial Officer, ASEAN. “Our edge comes from the strength of our people and the quality of the counsel we give clients. Laura is a trusted advisor to clients and mentor to teams, with a rare instinct for connecting innovation and culture with commercial growth. In addition, Laura’s coaching capabilities will help to empower the next generation of leaders, something that has never been more important to our future.”

“Effective advocacy in Southeast Asia demands more than government relations efforts. It requires the ability to shape narratives, build coalitions, and foster better understanding around complex issues among the public,” shared Pongsiri Poorintanachote, Managing Partner at Vero Advocacy.

“Laura’s experience in corporate affairs and change campaigns strengthens exactly that. For clients operating in markets where business and reputation are interconnected with government and regulatory standing as well as public trust, this integration will add real impact.” 

NorthStar Insights, a senior-led global risk and communications advisory firm based in Dubai, has formally launched its Mumbai headquarters, establishing a permanent presence in India.

The Mumbai office works across financial services and private capital, Indian conglomerates with international growth mandates, multinational corporations operating within India's regulatory environment, the energy and critical minerals sector, and the in-house communications functions of major organisations managing cross-border complexity.

Commenting on the launch, Arth Malani, Chief Executive Officer of NorthStar Insights, said: "India is no longer a market the world can afford to misread. The capital flows, the regulatory shifts, the cross-border ambitions of Indian organisations are moving at a pace that demands a different quality of counsel. NorthStar is built precisely for that. We put senior expertise directly into the room where the decisions are being made, providing the perspective, the access, and the clarity that turns India's complexity into a competitive advantage."

Shalini Singh, Senior Advisor for Strategic Communications at NorthStar Insights, added: "As a Senior Advisor to NorthStar Insights, I am excited to be part of its India journey at a time when the country is emerging as a powerful driver of global growth and transformation. NorthStar Insights' launch in India reflects a strong commitment to bringing sharper strategic understanding, deeper stakeholder engagement, and globally informed perspectives to help organisations build resilient, future-ready leadership and businesses."

NorthStar's advisory practice operates across two parallel mandates. For international organisations, the firm translates India's regulatory and political complexity into counsel calibrated for boards and investment committees, mapping the policy environment before it solidifies. For Indian organisations, it provides the on-the-ground advisory infrastructure across MENA, East Asia, Southeast Asia, and Europe.