FCB names local CEO to refocus on Singapore market

Global marketing communications agency FCB has promoted Jane Lim to CEO of its Singapore office, in its latest plan to relaunch local operations. Lim will also serve in the newly created role of regional chief client officer in Asia Pacific. Both of her new roles are effective immediately. She replaces Simon Lockyer, who served as FCB Singapore's CEO for nearly two years until May this year and has recently joined IBM.As CEO of FCB Singapore, Lim is responsible for working closely with the local team to grow the agency's presence and win new business. As regional chief client officer, she will lead FCB's relationship with key multinational clients, as well as split her time between Singapore and Shanghai to accommodate clients with business hubs in these two locations. She was most recently the regional business director for FCB Shanghai, during which she worked extensively with multinational food and beverage company Mondelez.Lim (pictured) joined FCB Shanghai from McCann Erickson Shanghai, where she was the business director for over a year. Prior to that, she served as business director for FCB Shanghai in 2015. Lim has also worked at DDB, Publicis, Euro RSCG (now Havas Worldwide) and TBWA\Shanghai. Over the course of her career, she has serviced several well-known brands including Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Wyeth Nutrition, Credit Suisse and Mastercard.Speaking to Marketing, FCB Worldwide CEO Carter Murray said Singapore, like Shanghai, is a key hub for multinational companies. Hence, promoting Lim to the two new roles is evidence of the agency's commitment to FCB Singapore's growth. Murray added that while the agency has a small operation in Singapore, senior level presence matters in the market. Citing Lim as an example, he said that the regional clients in Singapore will benefit from her wealth of experience."She grew up in Singapore and has experience from around Asia. My hope and belief is that she will come up with a compelling proposal for regional clients based out of Singapore," Murray said. According to FCB, Lim will consider relocating to Singapore full-time once the office is "further scaled up". He did not mention on the current headcount for the Singapore office.“I’m grateful to FCB for the wonderful career growth opportunities the network has given me since rejoining the company last year. I look forward to partnering with the Singapore team to win new business and grow the office, and to creating and nurturing relationships with new and existing multinational clients in Asia," Lim said.“Lim is one of our most talented, hardworking and charismatic leaders, and a trusted colleague and team player. She brings an incredible amount of knowledge and relationships, having worked in two of Asia’s key markets for multinational companies, Shanghai and Singapore. Her terrific personality and experience made her stand out as we were looking to focus our growth in Asia," Murray said.Murray said FCB would use a very “entrepreneurial” approach to grow its Singapore operations, adding that leaders like Lim bring the right background and experience to grow the business there quickly. Lim’s promotion, he added, is part of a larger, talent driven growth strategy the network has applied in Asia.Last month, the agency promoted Josephine Pan, then managing director of FCB Shanghai, to CEO of the office, replacing then CEO Edward Bell. Former managing director of South China Dennis Lam was promoted to FCB chief growth officer for Greater China.Murray told Marketing that he believes in "step up talent"."I was able to find people who were brilliant, who haven't been given the 'step up opportunity', and give them the opportunity to step up and shine," he said.