Edelman appoints Rakesh Thukral as APAC CEO

Edelman has appointed Rakesh Thukral as the new CEO for its Asia Pacific (APAC) operations, succeeding Warren Fernandez. Fernandez will step down to pursue a new opportunity but will stay with Edelman through the end of the year to support a seamless transition. Thakural has driven growth by prioritizing client needs, fostering talent, and expanding the firm’s specialties and services across its portfolio.

Ed Williams, Edelman’s President for International, shared his thoughts on the leadership change: “I am grateful for Warren’s contributions to Edelman, both regionally and globally. His leadership has expanded and refined the firm’s capabilities in APAC, and his extensive experience in the news and media sector has been invaluable for many of our clients. We wish him every success in his next chapter.”

Williams highlighted the strategic importance of APAC, saying, “The APAC region remains a significant area of opportunity for Edelman and our clients. Rakesh’s expertise in helping global companies enter the Indian market, as well as enabling Indian businesses to expand internationally, will be immensely valuable across the region. With his deep understanding of the region’s business, political, and societal dynamics, I am confident that Edelman will continue to be well-positioned under his leadership.”

Rakesh Thukral reflected on Edelman’s recent achievements: “Thanks to Warren’s and Ed’s leadership, Edelman has built a strong reputation for integrated offerings and impactful work across Asia. Our progress has been recognized with Creative Effectiveness Lions at Cannes, as well as PRovoke’s Global SABRE Awards, where we earned the ‘#1 Campaign in the World’ title for two consecutive years.”

He added, “With a talented team across the region and strong client relationships, I look forward to working closely with our teams and clients. Together, we will continue to elevate our work and provide solutions that support our clients in navigating today’s complex business landscape.”

Prior to this, Thukral has worked as an outreach consultant for two years for Bureau of Energy Efficiency.