_{(Pictured, l - r: Pin Dong, CFO Havas Creative Group Australia, Tracey Cain CEO H/Advisors APA, and James Wright CEO Havas Creative Network Australia)}

Havas has announced the acquisition of Australian Public Affairs (APA), the public affairs and strategic communications consultancy founded 27 years ago by Tracey Cain. APA will become part of H/Advisors, Havas's global strategic communications advisory network.

To be known as H/Advisors APA on completion, the acquisition will be H/Advisors' first owned operation in Australia.

The local leadership team of CEO Tracey Cain, Deputy CEO Phil McCall, and CFO Kathryn Higgs will continue in their roles, and H/Advisors APA will report into Group CEO of Havas Creative Network Australia, James Wright.

Tracey Cain, Chief Executive Officer of Australian Public Affairs and H/Advisors APA, said: “For nearly three decades, we have built APA as a high quality, evidence-based firm with expertise in regulated sectors and complex stakeholder environments.  The logical next step for us is to partner with Havas and H/Advisors to expand the services offered and the reach of our client base.  We have ambitious plans and are excited to take the next step with H/Advisors and the broader Havas Group.”
 
Neil Bennett and Tom Johnson, Global Co-CEOs of H/Advisors added: “Our group’s strategy of adding leading strategic communications advisory firms in the core financial capitals around the world and growing them continues with this exciting new partnership.  Not only is APA widely respected as the leading public affairs agency in Australia, the firm’s platform and growth ambitions will play a critical role for us as we look to expand our presence throughout the APAC region.”
 
James Wright, Group CEO Havas Creative Network Australia said: “As the Australian consulting landscape reforms amid recent crises, opportunity is emerging for strong, capable and values driven global challengers that bring local knowledge and smart thinking. With complementary skills and alignment, H/Advisors APA will be perfectly positioned to fulfil requirements of corporates, governments and NFPs in need of a new approach. We look forward to integrating Tracey and her team into the Havas Village in the coming months.”