PHD has appointed Chris Stephenson to the newly created position of regional (APAC) head of strategy and planning.

Stephenson was previously the head of strategy at PHD Australia. In his new role he will be responsible for growing PHD’s global communications planning unit, based out of Singapore.

Working closely with PHD APAC chief executive Susana Tsui, Stephenson will focus on the group’s offering for clients across the region.

Commenting on the appointment, Tsui said: “A key part of his new role will be to put the spotlight on Asia in the global planning roadmap via the global planning unit. It’s a planning centre of excellence that helps global and regional clients to break new grounds in consumer engagement.

“Chris will also work with local markets to elevate our strategic offering and ensure integration across multiple media disciplines. I am confident that with Chris’s hire, PHD will set higher benchmarks in communications planning across the industry.”

Cheuk Chiang, APAC chief executive of Omnicom Media Group, added: “PHD has always been known as the ‘planner’s agency’ and appointing senior leadership of Chris’ calibre will only further strengthen the brand’s strategic firepower.”

Stephenson’s new role becomes effective in early March.

In place of Stephenson, Stewart Gurney will take charge of communications planning at PHD Australia. On top of this, Joel Pearson has been appointed by the agency as head of digital innovation, working from PHD’s global planning unit in London, to help improve PHD Australia’s overall capabilities.