London-headquartered Public Relations and Communications Association has launched in southeast Asia with a dozen regional members.

The group is to be chaired by Text 100 regional director Lee Nugent and run by events executive Tara Munis (pictured), who is relocating from London to Singapore.

Founding members also include local consultancies Affluence PR, Blue Totem Communications, Golin, Grayling, H+K Strategies, Lewis PR, MHP Communications, Omnicom PR Group, Rice Communications, The Hoffman Agency Asia Pacific and WE Worldwide.

Director general Francis Ingham - who is chief executive of the International Communications Consultancy Organisation - says the association is "extending its offering" in response to demand for a professional body that covers the whole region and offers international reach. "Drawing on the PRCA UK's 49-year history, our establishment of PRCA MENA in 2016, and our management of ICCO, we bring a truly global perspective, and an unparalleled knowledge of the issues and opportunities facing our industry.

"I am delighted that so many prestigious agencies are our founding members, and I look forward to our membership growing even larger. I also look forward to working closely with the national PR associations that exist across the region. Working together, we can help PR practitioners even more in their pursuit of PR excellence."

A launch event is planned for September 12 at the 1880 Members Club in Singapore, and will be supported by YouGov.

Nugent said he was honoured to represent the PRCA as its first chairman for southeast Asia: "This is a high-growth region across many sectors, including PR and communications, and a terrifically exciting place to practise our craft.

"PRCA Southeast Asia will help PR and comms professionals to connect, share, learn and drive best practice as we grow the impact and effectiveness of what we do."

More information at https://prca.seasia.global/.