Category: Media Release

Leading Australia-based Financial and Corporate Communications Agency, Honner, Joins FINN Partners

Posted on by admHonWpAdm

The move expands FINN’s Asia Pacific footprint to Australia and strengthens the Agency’s position as a global leader in Financial Services; Taps into Australia’s deep and fast-growing investment sector.

NEW YORK and SYDNEY – JULY 7 ET / JULY 8 AEST, 2026 – Global independent marketing and communications firm, FINN Partners, has acquired Honner, an award-winning, 25-person-strong Sydney-based agency with leading expertise in financial services and corporate communications. The move establishes FINN’s presence in Australia and expands its capabilities in one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing investment markets. Sydney and Melbourne will join FINN’s global footprint, bringing its worldwide office count to 37 and expanding its Asia Pacific team to approximately 250 professionals.

The agency will be known as “Honner, A FINN Partners Company”. All Honner employees will become FINN employees. 

Honner founder, Philippa Honner, joins FINN as Managing Partner and FINN Financial Services Practice Lead for APAC — with a mandate of expanding FINN’s financial services practice throughout the Asia Pacific region, including further building the agency’s strong foothold in the Australia market. She will also become a member of the APAC leadership team and, alongside Honner’s senior leadership team, work closely with regional leaders in Greater China, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore and Thailand.

FINN currently works with a wide range of leading global financial brands including Charles Schwab, Chubb, Deutsche Bank and Natixis. 

Financial Sector Growth in APAC

The acquisition reflects Australia’s growing strategic importance in powering Asia’s evolving financial services ecosystem, spanning both traditional capital markets and the next generation of digital financial infrastructure. 

Australia’s superannuation (pensions) pool has reached AU $4.5 trillion* making it one of the largest retirement savings markets in the world and one of the fastest growing pools of institutional capital globally. The market is set to grow to AU $8.3 trillion (US $5.4 trillion) in the early 2030s**, likely making it the second largest pension system in the world after the US. Many of Honner’s clients are local financial brands expanding into APAC, or global brands wanting a consolidated regional approach to marketing and communications. 

As part of the FINN APAC region, Honner will be overseen by Howard Solomon, FINN founding managing partner and APAC lead, who also leads the firm’s efforts on the West Coast of the US.

Howard Solomon noted FINN already had an established presence in Australia through its market leading travel and arts practices, working with current and past clients such as the Art Gallery of New South Wales on its major expansion project, known as Sydney Modern; the Australia Pavilion at the Venice Biennale; Destination New South Wales which FINN represents in the US and UK markets; IntrepidTravel; and the Naomi Milgrom Foundation.

“We are extremely excited to welcome Honner to the FINN family,” stated Solomon. “Australia is a keygrowth market in the region and one we have been looking at very carefully for years. This move further deepens our financial services expertise in APAC and gives us critical mass to support the growing demand from both local and global financial brands in the region. We are very pleased to welcome the Honner team and look forward to growing our collective presence.”

A Shared Vision to Strengthen Client Positioning Across a Changing Financial Services Landscape

Honner was founded in 1997 by Philippa Honner, an economics graduate with a passion for media. Theagency has an impressive client base of blue chip local and global organizations across sectors including banking and capital markets, asset management, wealth management and financial advice, superannuation, insurance, professional services, real estate, renewables, digital assets, technology andindustry organizations. 

Peter Finn, FINN CEO and founding partner, said the acquisition builds on FINN’s continued momentum globally and across Asia Pacific. Recently ranked among the world’s top 20 global independent PR firms by PRWeek, as well as earning recognition as one of PRovoke Media’s Best Agencies in the U.S., Europeand UK, FINN has expanded rapidly through a combination of organic growth and strategic acquisitions.

“From the beginning, my vision for FINN Partners has been to create a world-class agency with unmatched depth of sector expertise and integrated services to benefit clients wherever they are in the world,” Peter Finn said. “This acquisition builds on the momentum we’ve established across APAC, including last year’s acquisition of RICE Communications. FINN’s APAC business has grown significantly, accounting for nearly 10% of the firm’s global fees. With Honner joining the firm, FINN APAC now has approximately USD$19 million in fees, further strengthening our ability to serve clients seamlessly across the US, EMEA and APAC.”

Honner Founder Philippa Honner said joining FINN was an exciting next step for the Honner team and the agency’s clients. 

“Joining forces with FINN gives us an incredible platform to progress our ambitions to be the leading marketing and communications agency supporting corporate and financial brands across APAC,” Philippa Honner said. “We look forward to working closely with our FINN colleagues across the region and spending time with our clients to demonstrate the impact of tailored communications strategies across complex APAC markets.”

Ryan Barr, FINN Global Financial Services Practice Lead, said the firm continues to see strong opportunities across traditional banking and asset management, alongside rapid growth in fintech, private markets, and the digitization of financial infrastructure across APAC. 

“Honner is a natural fit for FINN. Their leading position in Australia, together with our established presence across Singapore, Hong Kong, Greater China and the broader region, strengthens our ability to support clients wherever they need us most.” Barr added, “I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Philippa, and she is the kind of trusted, senior counsel that defines our approach globally. She adds further depth to the integrated marketing and communications services we provide to clients around the world.”

ABOUT HONNER 

Established in Sydney in 1997, Honner is a specialist PR, marketing and communications consultancy focused on the corporate, financial services and new economy sectors. Today, the firm supports more than 50 clients across the Asia-Pacific region, including leading asset managers, superfunds, consultants, banks and digital asset platforms. Collectively, Honner’s clients manage over AUD $10 trillion in investment capital across public and private markets. Honner is a member of two global agency networks – PROI Worldwide and Global Communication Partners (GCP). More information: www.honner.com.au

ABOUT FINN PARTNERS 

Founded in 2011 on the core principles of innovation and collaborative partnership, FINN Partners has grown from about US $24 million in fees to almost US $200 million in fees during the past 15 years, becoming one of the fastest-growing independent public relations agencies in the world. Recognized as one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies, PRovoke Media’s 100 Best Agencies in the U.S., 60 Best Agencies in Europe, and Midsize Agency of the Year in 2022, the full-service marketing and communications company’s record-setting pace results from organic growth and integrating new companies and new people into the FINN world through a common philosophy. With more than 1,300 professionals across 37 offices, FINN provides clients with global access and capabilities in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. In addition, FINN provides its clients with access to top-tier agencies worldwide through its membership in the global network PROI. 

Headquartered in New York, FINN has offices in: Abu Dhabi, Atlanta, Bangalore, Bangkok, Beijing, Boston, Chicago, Delhi, Denver, Detroit, Dublin, Fort Lauderdale, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Honolulu, Jerusalem, Kuala Lumpur, London, Los Angeles, Madison, Wisc., Manila, Melbourne, Mumbai, Munich, Nashville, Orange County, Paris, Portland, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Singapore, Sydney, Vancouver,Washington D.C. and Yangon. Find us at finnpartners.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram at @finnpartners. 

Notes:

* Source: The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) at December 2025

** Australia’s Super Members Council

Contacts:

Celia Jones

Global Chief Marketing Officer

FINN Partners

celia.jones@finnpartners.com

+1 773 885 9781

 

Philippa Honner 

Managing Partner, APAC Financial Services Practice Lead 

Honner, A FINN Partners Company

philippa.honner@finnpartners.com

+612 407 939 543

 

Honner to sponsor new FEAL scholarship in memory of journalist Greg Bright

Posted on by Bridget
  • FEAL launches new scholarship in memory of co-founder and industry journalist Greg Bright
  • Honner named inaugural sponsor of scholarship recognising excellence in superannuation communications

SYDNEY, 18 June 2025: Superannuation industry body FEAL has launched a new educational scholarship in memory of its co-founder and leading industry journalist Greg Bright, who passed away in 2024.

A pioneering voice in the Australian superannuation industry, Greg conceived FEAL in 1999 with the goal of bringing together super fund executives of a rapidly growing sector to collaborate, share insights and strengthen leadership. His vision was to cultivate a generation of world-class professionals who would steward the growing retirement outcomes of working Australians.

Greg’s influence extended across both media and industry, and he always knew how to back a winner. He established industry magazine Super Review in 1986 following the Prices and Incomes Accord Mark II where the ACTU agreed to forgo a national 3% wage increase in exchange for employer-funded superannuation. It would be another six years before the Keating Government’s introduction of Australia’s Superannuation Guarantee in 1992.

It was the beginnings of a lifelong passion to support, promote and investigate an industry that today delivers meaningful retirement outcomes for millions of Australians.

A financial journalist and publisher for more than 30 years, Greg was known for his passion for communication as well as for supporting and nurturing emerging talent in the industry, acting as a mentor to many journalists and communicators who have gone on to have significant roles in the investment, super and financial services sector.

One of these was Super Review editor Philippa Honner who, with Greg’s encouragement, established financial communications and marketing firm Honner in 1997. It is fitting that Honner is the inaugural sponsor of the FEAL scholarship in Greg’s name.

About the Scholarship

Aligning with Greg’s passions the Greg Bright Scholarship for Excellence in Member Communications is focused on emerging leaders in the FEAL member funds and organisations who work in a role that involves member communications and who are passionate about making a tangible difference to how their fund / the industry communications with members.

The winner of the Scholarship will attend the highly regarded FEAL Emerging Leaders Program run by the Melbourne Business School (MBS). The program encompasses topics around leadership, taught be some of MBS’ senior faculty, and provides the opportunity to build connections with peers across the FEAL member funds and organisations. The scholarship winner will also have the opportunity to speak about member communications at a FEAL event.

FEAL Chair, Brian Delaney, spoke of the importance to FEAL of honouring Greg Bright’s role in establishing FEAL and the appropriateness of Honner as the inaugural sponsor of the Scholarship in his name.

“Greg’s vision for the superannuation funds to come together and collaborate to deliver leadership development to their executives and senior leaders has driven FEAL’s purpose for the last 26 years. The Scholarship recognises the critical importance of member communications and will provide the opportunity for an emerging fund executive to develop their leadership skills and build their profile in the industry.

“We are delighted that Honner has chosen to take up this sponsorship and join the organisations who support leadership of the superannuation industry through their sponsorship of FEAL,” he said.

Honner founder Philippa Honner said the decision to support the scholarship was both professional and personal.

“Greg was a huge influence on my early career. He backed me when I was starting out as a financial journalist and his steady mentoring and networking support helped give me the confidence to launch Honner at a time when being a young ‘entrepreneur’ wasn’t so fashionable.

“This scholarship reflects Greg’s joy in nurturing aspiring talent, his gift for telling great stories, and his hope that more people will get engaged and understand the value of their super. We’re incredibly proud to support this scholarship in his name.”

Honner fuels Asia ambitions with new Partners, global hires

Posted on by admHonWpAdm

• EXCO team to drive APAC expansion strategy
• New agency hires reinforce firm’s established global network
• Clients represent more than AUD 10 trillion in investment capital

SYDNEY, 27 May 2025: Leading financial PR, marketing and communications firm Honner today announced the formation of a new Executive Committee (EXCO) as well as two new global agency hires as part of its strategy to extend operations across the Asia-Pacific region.

Longstanding Honner Senior Consultants Craig Morris and Samantha Rockliff have been appointed Partners and will join Founder Philippa Honner and Managing Partner Susie Bell on a newly formed Executive Committee. EXCO will focus on driving Honner’s expansion into key APAC markets including Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan.

In addition, Honner today confirmed the appointment of two new Account Managers, Ambika Gogna and Amelia Beale, who bring valuable international experience and further strengthen the firm’s cross-border capabilities.

The appointments follow Honner’s 2024 expansion to Melbourne which continues to be the home base for some of Australia’s largest banks, asset managers, wealth firms and superannuation funds.

Investment juggernaut driving regional opportunity

Australia’s retirement savings pool is projected to surpass the UK and Canada* by 2031, making it the second largest in the world after the US – and this wall of money is spilling across all regions of the world. Approximately 60 cents in every new dollar Australians contribute to their retirement savings is currently invested offshore – with a growing demand for private markets, impact strategies and energy transition investments.

Founder Philippa Honner said the focus on Asia was driven by increasing demand from both local and global financial clients – many of which have built substantial local operations on the back of Australia’s supersized savings and investment sector.

“Australia is a hotbed of global firms looking to service a growing pool of private wealth and retirement savings and many are seeking a more regional approach,” Ms Honner said.

In addition to hosting three of the world’s five largest economies, Asia is also home to the five fastest-growing economies globally – led by India, the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia and China**.

“We’re looking to partner with the banks, private wealth firms, asset managers and asset owners who are digging in for the long term to drive capital and investment opportunities across the region,” Ms Honner added.

Supporting 50+ financial organisations managing over AUD$10 trillion

As at May 2025, Honner supports more than 50 clients across the financial services ecosystem in the Asia-Pacific region – including global and Australian asset managers, superannuation funds, leading investment consultants, renewable energy infrastructure specialists, global real estate players, ETF providers, financial advice firms, banks and private markets specialists.

Over the past five years the agency has also built a leading practice in the fast-growing digital assets and digital payments space, working with some of the world’s most prominent crypto platforms. Collectively, Honner’s clients represent over AUD$10 trillion in global investment capital across listed and unlisted markets.

Strengthening regional bench and integrated delivery across Asia

As part of its Asia growth strategy, Honner is expanding its regional delivery model by establishing a network of integrated agency partners across key Asia markets. These partnerships complement the deep skills and sector expertise already embedded within the Honner team, providing clients with enhanced access to local insights, cultural nuance, language capability and strong media relationships across financial centres including Singapore, Hong Kong and Tokyo.

This strengthened regional platform is further supported by the appointment of two new Account Managers – Ambika Gogna, who joins from Prosek Partners in New York, and Amelia Beale, formerly of SEC Newgate in London.

Ambika brings specialist experience in financial communications across banking, insurance and wealth in the US market, while Amelia offers strong credentials in ESG, corporate affairs and Australian government campaigns.

“We are excited to welcome such strong new talent, and to build on the international opportunities we can offer our clients,” Ms Honner said. “At our core, we believe great financial brands deserve great storytelling. It’s incredibly rewarding to see the real impact our work has – helping clients cut through complexity, build credibility and connect with the audiences that matter most. The industry has changed a lot over the years, but that purpose has stayed the same,” Ms Honner said.