Paris/Singapore, November 30, 2023

Havas today announces the acquisition of Klareco Communications, Singapore homegrown agency and Southeast Asia’s leading corporate, financial and strategic communications consultancy, to strengthen its global strategic communications advisory arm, H/Advisors, in Asia-Pacific.

This acquisition comes at a time when corporate reputation holds unprecedented significance. As institutions and individuals face complex challenges posed by climate change, technological advancements, and geopolitical events, communicating strategically and protecting reputations on a global scale has become more crucial than ever. Recognised as a global hub for business development and innovation, Singapore will be a critical base for H/Advisors to steer its international clients through this macroeconomic environment. It will also further strengthen Havas’ presence in Singapore through its integrated Village approach, adding new capabilities to better serve its clients.

Headquartered in Singapore, with a power base in Southeast Asia, the addition of Klareco Communications represents an important next step in H/Advisors’ strategic growth plan. On closing, the agency will be renamed H/Advisors Klareco. The agency is a trusted advisor to world-leading multinationals and Asia headquartered companies, known for its award-winning work across the full spectrum of communications from protecting and elevating corporate reputations, advising on some of Singapore’s largest financial transactions and tackling the most complex business challenges such as cyber-attacks.

This addition represents another significant milestone, following the successful launch of H/Advisors in Dubai earlier this year and the recent acquisitions of Australian Public Affairs, one of Australia’s most prominent and successful public affairs agencies, and Cunha Vaz & Associados, Portugal’s leading PR and communications consultancy. Within one year of reorganising, H/Advisors has evolved into a dynamic global network, present in 23 countries with 1,500 experts, becoming not only a leader in financial communications but also in public affairs and transformation advisory. This strategic move aligns with the increasing demand of clients seeking diversified and comprehensive support in their transformation journeys.

H/Advisors Klareco and its senior management team will take on a significant role within the strategic advisory network. The local leadership includes CEO and Co-Founder Ang Shih-Huei, and Managing Director and Co-Founder Mark Worthington who will join the Asia board to help direct and lead the expansion of H/Advisors in Asia-Pacific.

Yannick Bolloré, Chairman and Global CEO, Havas, and Chairman, Vivendi, said: “Our partnership with Klareco allows us to draw on their breadth of experience and knowledge of the Asian market as we continue to expand our Havas presence in APAC. We are delighted to welcome the well-respected Klareco team onboard and look forward to achieving great things together.”

Stéphane Fouks, Executive Chairman, H/Advisors, and Vice President, Havas, said: “2023 has been an outstanding year of growth for H/Advisors, with the opening of our Dubai office and the acquisitions of CV&A (Portugal) & APA (Australia) and now our partnership with Klareco, which will strengthen our offering not only in APAC but globally. Klareco is the leading communications advisory in Southeast Asia, and we are delighted to welcome Shih-Huei, Mark and the talent and experience they will bring to H/Advisors.”

Ang Shih-Huei, CEO and Co-Founder of H/Advisors Klareco said: “As an independent firm, we have already been working with some of the largest MNCs and leading Asian headquartered companies. H/Advisors allows us to deepen our core communications offering across corporate, financial, digital and public affairs, and expand our expertise in fast growing areas such as sustainability and change communications, to ensure we continue to deliver best practice for our clients. Our teams are excited for this new chapter ahead.”

Mark Worthington, Managing Director and Co-Founder of H/Advisors Klareco said: “We are delighted to partner with H/Advisors to enhance our standing as a landing point for international firms coming to, or expanding in Asia. Increasingly, boards and management face complex communications challenges as they expand internationally. We are excited to build on our offering to support these challenges, ensuring we have expertise and relationships in the markets our clients need.”

About Havas

Founded in 1835 in Paris, Havas is one of the world’s largest global communications networks, with more than 22,000 people in over 100 countries sharing one single mission: to make a meaningful difference to brands, businesses, and people. Havas has developed a fully integrated model through its 70+ Havas Villages around the world, covering all communication activities. The teams of the three business units, Havas Creative Network, Havas Media Network and Havas Health & You, work together with agility and in perfect synergy to offer tailor-made, innovative solutions to clients that support them in their positive transformation. Havas is committed to building a diverse culture where everybody feels they belong and can be themselves and thrive. Havas integrated into Vivendi, a global leader in media, entertainment, and communications, in December 2017. Further information about Havas is available at www.havas.com.

About H/Advisors

H/Advisors is a leading global strategic advisory network.  Founded in 2001 in London, New York and Paris, the group is part of the Havas PR network that employs more than 1,500 consultants in 23 counties. We provide best in class strategic communications advice and counsel for corporations and institutions in Europe, APAC and the Americas at their most critical moments by developing bespoke and holistic communications strategies that reach and influence their core stakeholders. Our core expertise extends across corporate communications and investor relations disciplines, including M&A and activism, public affairs, crisis, change management, sustainability and ESG and litigation/disputes. We have a unique strategic approach combining local market expertise, seamless cross-border collaboration and global scale that helps our clients achieve their goals.  H/Advisors works for many of the world’s leading publicly traded companies, private equity and investment firms, and education and philanthropic institutions. Backed by Havas and Vivendi, one of the world’s largest communications groups. www.h-advisors.global

About H/Advisors Klareco

H/Advisors Klareco is an award-winning strategic communications consultancy in Asia. Headquartered in Singapore, with a powerbase in Southeast Asia, H/Advisors Klareco is a trusted advisor to its client-base across Asia, including the region’s leading companies, government agencies and multinationals. Its best-in-class public relations services offer expert counsel to institutions and individuals. The consultancy thrives on bringing clarity to complex situations and creating the most insightful communications solutions for its clients. H/Advisors Klareco believes that the most impactful communications solutions reach a wide stakeholder base across government and NGOs, business, the media and public. Its integrated communications approach brings together its specialism in corporate and financial communications, as well as public affairs, crisis and digital communications. https://klarecocomms.com/