SINGAPORE — Bob Grove is exiting Edelman after 16 years as one of its key leaders in Asia-Pacific, PRovoke Media has learned.

Grove, who is currently chief client and operating officer for Edelman Asia-Pacific, as well as Southeast Asia head, will leave the firm at the end of September. 

He joined Edelman in 2005 as Southeast Asia MD, before becoming North Asia CEO in 2013. In 2017 he returned to Singapore to take on his current position.

Regional CEO Stephen Kehoe noted that Grove had been "synonymous with Asia-Pacific as far back as any of us can remember".

"Bob has been in so many ways the literal and spiritual leader of Asia and he is rightly credited with having built the careers of countless colleagues at Edelman, as well as the business," added Kehoe. "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."

Grove's departure follows a revamp of Edelman's Asia-Pacific leadership under Kehoe, who became regional CEO in 2019. Australia CEO Michelle Hutton added a regional vice-chair role, overseeing the firm's strategy, creative and digital operations, which have also been bolstered by senior hires. 

Pully Chau has also arrived to oversee Edelman Greater China, while Will Collie returned to the region to lead client growth.

“Edelman has been like my second home, and I draw an immense amount of satisfaction from my time with the agency," said Grove. "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.

"I can’t be more thankful for the support and willingness of the team to go the extra mile, so many times," added Grove. "I’ll be taking a break before deciding what I will do next, and I will continue to cheer on the Edelman team from the side-lines."

Prior to joining Edelman, Grove was North Asia MD at Axway. He began his agency career at Burson-Marsteller Singapore.