^{(Pictured, from left: GrowthOps CEO Clint Cooper, FORWARD Senior Account Director Lucy Saarelaht, and GrowthOps Chief Growth and Innovation Officer Con Frantzeskos)}

Creative public relations agency, FORWARD has announced its expansion to Melbourne, following GrowthOps’ acquisition of the business in February this year. The agency has also announced the appointment of Lucy Saarelaht, who'll lead their Melbourne team as Senior Account Director.

Lucy joins FORWARD from Porter Novelli, bringing a wealth of experience spanning health, FMCG, government and not-for-profit sectors. In her new role, she will be working with agency Founder and Managing Director, Fergus Kibble, to strengthen the agency's presence in Melbourne, create new client partnerships and build a local team over the coming year.

The new Melbourne office allows FORWARD to expand their reach and gain access to an array of strategy, creative, and digital services offered by GrowthOps' other agencies. Lucy and Fergus will collaborate with GrowthOps’ newly-appointed Chief Growth and Innovation Officer, Con Frantzeskos, to foster inter-agency cooperation.

FORWARD's Founder and Managing Director, Fergus Kibble said: "Melbourne feels like home to us, and we are thrilled to be opening our doors here. Over the past ten years, we have worked with Melbourne-based clients, including Lion Dairy and Drinks (now Bega), Fonterra, General Mills, Mentholatum and Sensis. Lucy is an excellent addition to FORWARD, and her expertise across corporate and consumer public relations builds additional capability for our network."