Edelman APAC chief client officer Bob Grove steps down

Edelman's Asia Pacific chief client and operations officer, Bob Grove, is leaving the agency at the end of September after 16 years. He is taking a break before deciding what to do next. Grove (pictured) has held various leadership roles across the region including MD, Southeast Asia and CEO of North Asia. According to the agency, he has driven many solutions across the firm, specifically in the areas of data, insights and client quality and service.

Before Edelman, Grove was with Axway as MD, North Asia and Viewlocity Asia Pacific as MD. He also worked at Burson Marsteller as director, marketing and technology in Singapore, his LinkedIn said. Grove said Edelman has been like his second home and he draws an immense amount of satisfaction from his time with the agency. 

"I have had tremendous support from all parts of the business, which has led to success, innovation, and some of our very best work, and I’m equally proud of the way in which we have developed and elevated local talent to become some of our region’s most accomplished leaders," he added

Stephen Kehoe, Asia Pacific CEO, said Grove has been synonymous with Edelman in Asia Pacific as far back as anyone can remember.  "He is rightfully credited with having built the careers of countless colleagues at Edelman, as well as the business.  As a superlative client counselor, innovator and people manager, as well as a long-standing champion of diversity, equity, and inclusion, it will not be easy to see him leave.  I know I join all my colleagues in wishing him nothing but the best for the future, and I know he will always be a friend of the firm," he added.

Earlier this month, the agency launched a new firm named Edelman Global Advisory, commiting an initial investment of US$10 million towards key new hires and expansion of EGA into new markets. The firm will provide tailored business and government advisory services to institutions and will be formed through Edelman’s acquisition of Basilinna, a long-time Edelman partner which specialises in US-China relations. According to a spokesperson from Edelman, in Asia, the initial markets the office will have a presence in are Beijing and Tokyo.

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