Rakesh Thukral succeeds Warren Fernandez as Edelman’s APAC CEO

Rakesh Thukral will succeed Warren Fernandez as CEO for Edelman’s operations in Asia Pacific (APAC). Fernandez will be stepping down from the role to pursue a new opportunity and will remain with the firm until the end of the year to ensure a smooth transition.  

Fernandez said, “I am grateful for having been part of the Edelman team and to have worked with some of the industry’s most talented and committed colleagues. A new opportunity has arisen which is hard to say no to; it is a role that plays to my longstanding interests in public policy, and where I will have the opportunity to engage on some of the significant political and geopolitical issues of the day.” 

Thukral will report into Ed Williams, Edelman’s president for international in his new role, and the appointment is effective immediately. As the current APAC chief operating officer and managing director of India, he has championed growth through a relentless focus on the firm’s clients, people and diversification of specialties and offerings across its portfolio. 

Speaking on the development, Williams said, “I am grateful for everything that Warren has done for the firm, and for his leadership both regionally and globally. He has broadened and sharpened the firm’s capabilities in APAC, and his decades of experience in the news and media sector has been hugely important to many of our clients. We sincerely wish him all the best with his next move.” 

He further continued that the APAC region continues to present significant opportunity for the agency and its clients, and therefore remains a key focus. Hence, Thukral’s experience of partnering with global companies to enter the Indian market, and for Indian businesses to expand globally, will help its client portfolio across the region. “He has a deep understanding of the business, political, and societal dynamics of the region, and I have confidence that under his leadership, our business will be well positioned,” Williams continued. 

Thukral added, “Over the past couple of years, under Warren’s and Ed’s leadership, Edelman has become known for its strong integrated offering and work in Asia… We have a strong team across the region and great client relationships across sectors and markets. I look forward to working with our teams and clients to continue elevating our work, and ensuring our clients receive solutions that help them evolve and grow their businesses in these complex times.”  

Founded in 1952, Edelman is a global communications firm with 6,000 employees across over 60 offices. The independent, family-run business owns specialty companies Edelman Data x Intelligence (research, data), Edelman Smithfield (financial communications), and UEG (entertainment, sports and lifestyle).