Newgate snares former KGA exec Richard Barton to open Hong Kong office

The Porta Communications-owned agency has brought in Richard Barton, the former Asia managing partner of KGA, to run the newly established Hong Kong business.

Barton joins Newgate after 15 years at KGA, 12 of which were based in Asia running offices in Singapore and Hong Kong.

He left the agency in September with a number of other senior KGA figures after the group failed to take control of the business via an MBO.

Barton commented: ‘As Western companies continue to operate, invest and raise capital in Asia, and Asian businesses rapidly develop their global expansion plans, Newgate is well placed to advise clients across multiple geographies on a broad array of complex comms issues.

He added that Newgate, led by chairman Jonathan Clare in London, plans to broaden its Asia operations, which will include offices in Beijing and Singapore.

Barton is joined by another former colleague, Grace Zhang, as a partner in Hong Kong.

Clare added: ‘Hong Kong is an important bridgehead to the Greater China and broader Asian markets and marks a significant development for Newgate and its clients.

‘Richard has built a strong reputation for giving top quality client advice and building businesses during his years in Asia and we now look forward to establishing one of the leading networks in the region.’

Barton left KGA alongside the agency’s financial comms president Fergus Wylie, CFO Gene Golembeski and Japan managing partner Deborah Hayden. Hayden has since become regional director, capital markets & M&A, APAC at Edelman.

This article was first published on prweek.com