In a strategic move to strengthen its foothold in the Asia-Pacific region, Havas has acquired Klareco Communications, corporate, financial and strategic communications consultancy based in Singapore. This acquisition marks the fourth investment for H/Advisors, Havas' global strategic advisory network, in 2023 and will see Klareco Communications rebranded as H/Advisors Klareco.

The senior management team of H/Advisors Klareco, including CEO and Co-Founder Ang Shih-Huei, and Managing Director and Co-Founder Mark Worthington, will join the Asia board to lead the expansion of H/Advisors in the Asia-Pacific region.

The addition of Klareco follows the successful launch of H/Advisors in Dubai earlier this year and the recent acquisition of Australian Public Affairs, a public affairs agency.

Within one year of reorganising, H/Advisors said it had become a global network, present in 23 countries with 1,500 specialists in financial communications, public affairs and transformation advisory.

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.'

Ang Shih-Huei, CEO and Co-Founder of H/Advisors Klareco, said: '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.'

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.'

Havas said the acquisition underscored its commitment to expanding its global strategic communications advisory arm.