HONG KONG — FTI Consulting has named new leadership for its strategic communications unit in Hong Kong and Singapore, with current Asia-Pacific chairman Ray Bashford moving into an advisory role.

The firm is relocating Paul Marriott from London to serve as Asia chairman, based in Hong Kong. In addition, Paul Downie moves from Sydney to Singapore to become chairman of Southeast Asia and Australia.

The duo take on responsibilities previously handled by Bashford, who joined FTI in 2011, after previously working at JP Morgan, and launching Brunswick in Asia-Pacific.

Marriott will oversee FTI's busienss in Greater China and India, along with expansion into Japan and Korea, working with Asia head of business operations Cara O’Brien. He will also continue to partner with Andrew Walton, FTI's global head of financial services in London, as the firm aims to globalise its financial services offering.

Downie, meanwhile, will work with Shaun Duffy, who has operational responsibility for Australia, and Tom Evrard, who will have operational responsibility for Southeast Asia.

"Having two such accomplished leaders, such as Paul and Paul, is a tremendous development for our established franchise in APAC and for the business as a whole," said FTI Consulting strategic communications CEO Ed Reilly.