Porta Communications names Emma Kane and Brian Tyson as joint CEOs
Porta Communications is under new leadership as of today (27 April) after the consultancy brought on board Emma Kane, former chief executive of Redleaf Communications, and Brian Tyson, managing partner of Newgate Australia, to serve as joint chief executive officers.
Porta Communications names Emma Kane & Brian Tyson as joint CEO’s
The changes at the top are designed to make Porta a more integrated global operation by drawing together the regional, national and international output of its individual businesses for the common good of the wider group.
Top of Kane’s in-tray is the merger of Porta’s two largest communications businesses; Newgate and Redleaf, as she prepares to lead the enlarged agency as chief executive. Kane founded Redleaf in 2000, overseeing its eventual acquisition by Porta in 2014.
Tyson will join Kane as a Porta chief executive following his appointment to the board of Porta in 2017.
Porta chairman John Foley commented: “Redleaf has been a great acquisition for Porta and it now makes absolute strategic sense to combine the business with Newgate and create an enlarged business to capitalise on the expertise and proven track records of the exceptional people at both firms.
“In Australia, from start up five years ago with a core group of 8 people in offices in Sydney and Melbourne, the business now has more than 100 professional staff and opened additional offices in Canberra, Brisbane and Perth.
“Together, Brian and Emma will give us the leadership we need on both sides of the world to help roll out an integrated offering in our major markets, by learning from each other, replicating the specialist skills and services that exist in some markets, and adopting best practice in all markets to the benefit of clients internationally.”
Former CEO Steffan Williams has left the group with immediate effect and will cease to be a director of Porta in 5 May.