Ashton is also named global leader for relationship marketing and event management, the company confirmed.
Based in Singapore, Ashton is tasked with building the brand and driving the overall marketing agenda across APAC georaphies and practices. This includes Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, China and India.
The move is part of the firm's global ambitions to grow itself. Last year, the company appointed Gary Singer as its chief marketing officer. Singer is in the process of putting together a team of senior marketing leaders across regions including Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific.
The goal of this new team is to take the consultancy to the next level, positioning it as "one of the most admired firms in the business" via PR, direct marketing, social media and event management. "We want to position it in a way that sticks in the minds of clients and prospects," Ashton said.
Previously vice president and head of marketing for Philips' lighting unit, Ashton was responsible for business-to-consumer and business-to-business marketing across APAC, the Middle East, Russia and Africa.
“[Ashton] combines a strategic and creative marketing mind with an impressive history of creating impact for organisations of which she is a part,” said John Kurtz, partner and head of A.T. Kearney’s Asia-Pacific region. “Her experience and insight will be a critical advantage as we seek to achieve our vision of being the most admired global management consulting firm."
Prior to Philips, Ashton was senior vice president for marketing in Asia-Pacific for Electrolux. She was also president of Electrolux India. She has held roles in Royal Dutch Shell, Johnson & Johnson and Kraft Foods.