Ogilvy Group Singapore appoints new chairman

Riley will be replacing Fiona Gordon, who has led the operation since 2011. He will transition into the new role over the next few months and report to Kent Wertime, O&M's COO in Asia-Pacific, who also heads the Southeast Asia region. 

Gordon will be returning to the UK, where her new post with O&M London has yet to be announced. 

“It goes without saying that we have a lot to thank Fiona for when it comes to making our Singapore operation a world-class international hub for the network," said Paul Heath, chairman of O&M Asia-Pacific. "Last year alone, Fiona led our efforts in crowning O&M Singapore as Campaign Asia-Pacific’s Creative Agency of the Year, and her eye for new business also saw O&M win the #1 position in R3’s New Business League with thanks to some significant local wins. It was no surprise when she also took home the very well earned accolade as Campaign's Southeast Asia Agency Head of the Year. We wish her great success back in Ogilvy London.”

Riley has been with Ogilvy for two decades. He first joined Ogilvy Worldwide Hong Kong in 1995 and relocated in 2004 to lead the OgilvyOne operation in Singapore as managing director. He next took responsibility for OgilvyOne across South Asia in 2008, and in 2010 was appointed managing Director of IBM Brand Services for global emerging markets spanning Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe and Africa—a position that also saw him join the global IBM leadership team for Ogilvy.

More recently, Riley turned his attention back to the Singapore business over the past year as part of the group's succession plan. By working closely with Gordon as the COO for the group, he is well placed to take on the new role, said the agency. Riley will also sit on the regional management committee. 

Ogilvy is still in the process of finding a replacement for Riley's COO role. 

Update: Fiona Gordan has been appointed group transformation director at Ogilvy & Mather UK.