SINGAPORE — Havas has acquired Singapore consultancy Klareco Communications, which will become part of its H/Advisors corporate and financial network.

Klareco was effectively founded in 2017, when CEO Ang Shih-Huei and MD Mark Worthington (pictured) bought the firm out from defunct UK consultancy Bell Pottinger. The duo will continue to lead H/Advisors Klareco as "significant" shareholders, joining the Asia-Pacific board to support the network's expansion in the region.

The deal is the latest in a series of moves that are intended to establish H/Advisors as a global force in the corporate and financial space. After rebranding in 2022, the firm has launched in Dubai and made acquisitions in Australia and Portugal. H/Advisors now employs 1,500 people across 23 countries.

Meanwhile, parent group Havas has also been active in terms of acquisition, snapping up Indian firm PR Pundit earlier this month for its Havas Red network. 

"As an independent firm, we have already been working with some of the largest MNCs and leading Asian headquartered companies," said Ang. "H/Advisors allows us to deepen our core communications offering across corporate, financial, digital and public affairs, and expand our expertise in fast growing areas such as sustainability and change communications, to ensure we continue to deliver best practice for our clients."