Rebecca Wilson and Gemma Hudson take on new leadership roles
WE Buchan is excited to announce the promotions of Rebecca Wilson and Gemma Hudson, as part of WE Communications’ Asia Pacific leadership enhancements to increase cross-region and cross-agency collaboration.
Effective 1 April 2019, Rebecca Wilson, current CEO of WE Buchan, will expand her remit to oversee Australia and Singapore as Executive Vice President of Australia and Singapore, and will join the WE Communications’ newly-formed Global Leadership Team.
Wilson has spent the past two decades at WE Buchan. Her client consulting experience covers investor relations, corporate, public affairs, and issues and crisis management for multiple sectors, including healthcare, financial services, aged care, technology and professional services. Wilson will report to Sells.
Also as part of the leadership restructure, Gemma Hudson, current Managing Director will be elevated to CEO and oversee operations for Australia. Hudson will continue to report to Wilson.
Hudson has nearly two decades of experience in public relations and communications across Australia and the UK. She joined WE Buchan in 2013, originally as General Manager and then going on to become Managing Director. Hudson was also named in Campaign Asia’s 40 Under 40 list in 2018. Her consulting experience spans consumer, technology, health and corporate sectors.
“WE’s Asia Pacific businesses have had years of strong growth in both scale and client portfolio,” said Kass Sells, Global COO/President of International, WE Communications.
“To maintain this momentum, the expanded remits of our leaders will enable us to better serve our clients by delivering a consistent, seamless, high-quality experience for clients in the region and around the globe. I look forward to working with both Rebecca and Gemma who have worked closely together to achieve great success in the Australian market.”
The leadership changes come after Wilson and Hudson implemented an agency transformation program, including the introduction of new teams and capabilities, which has led to extraordinary growth, strong in-house talent and the agency working with some of Australia's most recognised brands.
“APAC is the fastest growing region of the agency. Both the Australian and Singapore businesses are leading the world in the clients they represent. I look forward to working closely with both markets to increase knowledge and skills sharing across the network, and to providing a consistent client experience for our multi-market clients," said Rebecca Wilson.
“Gemma has been an essential contributor to the transformation of WE Buchan over the last five years and has led a strategic modernisation and diversification process that has enabled rapid growth and momentum. This is a great opportunity to expand her leadership in Australia and across the APAC region.”
This announcement follows other WE leadership moves including: the retirement of WE Buchan’s Founder, Tom Buchan; the elevation of Penny Burgess, CEO of WE Bridge, to oversee WE’s Greater China presence; and promotion of Jeremy Seow to CEO of Singapore, and Kevin Hartnett to General Manager of Hong Kong.
