Burson has appointed Michael Rhydderch as APAC Head of Sustainability, advancing its sustainability and social impact advisory capabilities throughout the Asia Pacific region. This strategic move aligns with Burson’s broader commitment to enhancing its advisory portfolio, which spans reputation management, brand advisory, and government relations, bolstered by its partnerships with Hawker Britton and Barton Deakin.

With a solid foundation in environmental science, Rhydderch brings over ten years of sustainability consulting experience to Burson, offering a science-driven approach to help clients meet the rising Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) expectations from consumers, employees, investors, and regulators. His technical expertise as a registered B consultant strengthens Burson’s capacity to provide clients with precise insights and solutions for impactful sustainability outcomes.

Complementing this growth in sustainability advisory, Burson has made several key leadership appointments in Australia and New Zealand to drive its expansion and regional influence:

• Tom Horn, now Market Leader for Australia and New Zealand, is tasked with leading teams across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth, focusing on enhancing Burson’s regional offerings and achieving operational success.
• Jessie Gogan, in her role as Deputy Market Leader, Australia and New Zealand, will emphasize the creative aspects of Burson’s services, refining and expanding the firm’s creative advisory solutions for clients.
• Anna O’Sullivan has been named Head of Reputation and Issues Management, where she will guide clients in building and protecting positive reputations through strategic issue management.
• Marcha van den Heuvel, as Head of Corporate and Public Affairs for Australia and New Zealand, will oversee corporate and public affairs initiatives, driving stakeholder engagement and corporate communications for clients in the region.

Adrian Warr, CEO South Asia Pacific at Burson, emphasized Australia’s pivotal role in the company’s APAC strategy, recognizing it as a center of creativity and innovation for the firm. Warr highlighted that the new leadership team is poised to leverage these strengths, ensuring that Burson’s client solutions remain at the forefront of industry standards while fostering an inclusive and inspiring workplace culture.