Holmes & Marchant, the award-winning design and branding agency owned by MSQ Partners, has hired Cowan Asia’s Chief Executive Paul Galesloot to become its new Global Chief Executive.

Galesloot joins the agency at the beginning of February, working across its Shanghai, Singapore and New York offices.

He replaces Addison James, who is standing down from a full-time role in the agency after 11 years. James will relocate to the UK in March, but will remain involved with H&M in an advisory capacity.

In his new role, Galesloot will spearhead the next phase of growth for Holmes & Marchant, building on the agency’s design and brand heritage, as well as developing new areas of expertise.

He will report directly to MSQ’s CEO and Founder Peter Reid and will work closely with the rest of the Holmes & Marchant leadership team, including Lingzi Yue, the Managing Director of Holmes & Marchant Shanghai, Celeste Cheong, the Managing Director of Holmes & Marchant Singapore and Matt Clements, General Manager of Holmes & Marchant New York.

Galesloot has extensive experience working in branding and communications across Asia, Australia and Europe. He began his career in the UK, working in the marketing departments of the likes of global sportwear brand Umbro and internet start-up 365 Media. He moved to Australia in 2003, spending time at a variety of design and advertising agencies before joining the global design consultancy Cowan as a Strategy Director in August 2010.

He moved to Cowan’s Shanghai office to become Managing Director of Cowan China in 2012, and was named Chief Executive of Cowan’s overall Asia operations in 2016.

Reid says: “Paul brings great energy and the perfect blend of experience to take the agency onto the next level, driving further new business growth, broadening our service offer and playing a key role in developing MSQ’s joined-up offer across Asia.

“I would also like to take the opportunity to thank Addison for all his efforts over the past decade. The agency has had an amazing run under his stewardship, from its roots as a small agency in Singapore to the preeminent force in design in the region – and much of this success is down to him.”

Galesloot says: It is a great time to join H&M; they have exceptional strength across Asia and collaborate closely with their offices in New York and London. I have been impressed with the levels of professionalism throughout the organisation. What’s more, the MSQ vision of rolling out their unique client-centric, multi-disciplinary approach is very aligned with my views on where the industry is heading. I have been impressed with the calibre of people throughout the MSQ agencies and am genuinely excited to get started.”