Zeno Group has appointed Ekta Thomas as managing director of its Australian business, bringing her back to the role after several years in regional leadership.
Thomas, who has been with the agency for more than eight years, previously led Zeno Group Australia before moving into the broader APAC role of head of business development.
Her appointment comes five months after former Australia MD Sarah Littlefair Myers departed the position.
Littlefair Myers announced her departure from the full-time agency role in April, citing a focus on her health and wellbeing following a breast cancer diagnosis.
In a LinkedIn post at the time, she said her focus was on recovery, which was going well, and taking time to pause and embrace a different pace after five years leading the Australian business.
Returning to the Australian leadership role, Thomas will oversee the agency’s business strategy, client partnerships, people and growth, while retaining a strategic leadership remit across APAC.
A key priority will be accelerating Zeno’s growth in Australia, strengthening client relationships and expanding its integrated communications capabilities by connecting local clients with the agency’s broader regional and global network.
Her experience spans market leadership, major client relationships and multi-market business development, combining local market knowledge with regional and global experience.
Zeno Group APAC regional president David Lian said Thomas brought a strong understanding of the Australian business alongside the commercial experience and relationships developed through her regional role.
“Ekta knows Zeno Australia from the inside out and brings the added advantage of having spent the past several years driving growth and building relationships across our regional and global network,” Lian said.
“Her appointment brings together the local leadership, commercial experience and broader perspective needed to take our Australian business forward.”
Thomas said returning to lead the Australian business was particularly meaningful, given her connection to the market.
“There’s a real opportunity to build on the talent and capabilities we have, strengthen our client partnerships and bring fresh thinking and ambition to the work we do,” she said.
She added that her experience working with teams and clients across APAC and globally would help bring new expertise and opportunities into the Australian market.
