_{(Above, Arj Ganeshalingam and Rhys Ryan)}

Porter Novelli Australia has named Rhys Ryan as the agency's new Chief Executive Officer, with Arj Ganeshalingam appointed Chief Operating Officer.

The appointments are part of a refresh of the Clemenger Group communications agency's national leadership team in Australia, which also includes Managing Partners Clare Willenberg (Sydney) and Patrick McClelland (Melbourne), Media and Content Lead Madeleine Hanley, Technology Sector Lead Jessica Hodges and Client Partner Madeleine Page.

Porter Novelli has also welcomed Laura Hill as a Special Counsel. She has previously held senior roles with NAB, CARE Australia and, most recently, Oxfam.

Clemenger Group Chief Executive Officer, Les Timar, welcomed the new appointments: "I am delighted to see the Porter Novelli team grow after a very successful two years for the business, despite the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The agency continues to evolve its contemporary communications offering and take a purpose-led approach to both brand and reputation."

Other recent appointments across the Porter Novelli team include:

• Senior Consultant Lauren Clancy (from Howorth Communications)
• Consultant Val Alimi (from Monash Health)
• Consultant Arden Barker (from Civic Reputation).

Tasmin McFarlane and Samuel Chen have also been appointed Consultants after completing the Clemenger Consulting Graduate Program.