LONDON--A group of senior executives has departed Kreab Gavin Anderson, following the exit of CEO Richard Constant earlier this year.

In London, president Fergus Wylie has left the firm, along with Japan and Asia-Pacific heads Deborah Hayden and Richard Barton, respectively. In addition, CFO Gene Golembeski has also departed.

The senior exits come more than three years after the merger of Gavin Anderson with Sweden’s Kreab in 2009, which saw Kreab head Peje Emilsson become executive chairman of the combined entity, and Gavin Anderson chief Constant take on CEO duties.

All four of the departing executives, like Constant, were at Gavin Anderson before the Kreab merger.

Emilsson has since added the CEO role following Constant’s exit earlier this year. He told the Holmes Report that he spent the summer travelling extensively across the network, which includes offices in Asia, Europe and North America.

“After evaluating the situation I reached the conclusion that there was time for some changes and appointed new managing partners in three of our about 20 offices at the same time as I reduced corporate overhead,” said Emilsson.

“I have expressed my gratitude to Deborah Hayden, Gene Golombeski, Fergus Wylie and Richard Barton for their contributions to the development of Kreab Gavin Anderson and wished them all the best for the future.”

In London, senior partner Gunilla Banér becomes managing partner, succeeding seven-year veteran Wylie.

Japan will now be headed by managing partner Jonathan Kushner, who joined the firm last year. Hayden leaves after almost 25 years with the agency.

Barton is another long-term veteran of the agency, having joined Gavin Anderson’s London office in 1997. He moved to Hong Kong in 2000 before taking on responsibility for Asia (ex Japan) in 2003.

In Hong Kong, Walter Jennings has returned to the firm to become managing partner. Jennings previously led Gavin Anderson Hong Kong from 1996 to 1999, before moving on to a succession of senior Asia-Pacific comms roles, including two years as SVP and GM of Fleishman-Hillard’s Sydney office.

Emilsson noted that Kreab Gavin Anderson’s fee income has increased from €38m in 2009 to €49m in 2011.

“The management changes in three offices does not mean any change in strategy,” said Emilsson. They come less than a year after a restructuring of the firm's global leadership last year.