Published on: November 11, 2026
Havas Media Network has named Carey Loh as Chief Executive Officer of its Singapore operations, following the departure of Pankaj Nayak, who is leaving the position to explore new opportunities.
Loh joins the network from WPP Media Singapore, where he most recently served as Client President from May 2025. Before that, he held the same position at GroupM Singapore between December 2024 and May 2025.
He brings significant media agency experience, including more than seven years with Mindshare Singapore. During his tenure, he served as Managing Director from January 2021 to November 2024, having previously worked as Managing Partner, Client Leadership.
Earlier, Loh held several senior roles at MEC across Hong Kong and China, including Managing Partner and Client Lead in Hong Kong and Managing Director of its Shanghai operations. Based in Beijing, he also oversaw Microsoft’s global advertising and media activities in China.
Loh previously worked with Havas Media Group in Beijing as Head of Digital from May to December 2009. His career also includes digital leadership positions at Starcom Media and Euro RSCG.
In his new position, Loh will report to Rana Barua, Group CEO of Havas India, Southeast Asia and North Asia. His priorities will include strengthening the network’s media capabilities, developing client relationships, driving innovation and building high-performing teams.
Commenting on his appointment, Carey Loh shared that Singapore is an incredibly dynamic market, where businesses are rethinking how they connect with consumers, embrace technology and drive growth.
“By bringing together the right mix of talent, data, technology and creativity, we have an opportunity to help clients build stronger relationships with their audiences and achieve meaningful business outcomes. I look forward to working with our teams and Village partners to strengthen our capabilities, deepen client partnerships and build a future-ready business that creates lasting growth for our clients and our people,” he added.
Barua said Singapore continues to be a significant growth market for Havas Media Network in Asia and is central to advancing its “Growth, powered by desire” strategy.
“In a market where consumer expectations are evolving and the media landscape becomes increasingly complex, our focus is on understanding what drives people’s choices and translating those insights into meaningful business outcomes. By combining our media expertise with the broader capabilities of the Havas Village, we can deliver more connected, integrated solutions that help our clients stay ahead and unlock new opportunities for growth,” he said.
He further noted that Havas Media Network plans to continue developing its key offerings in Singapore, including Havas Play, CSA and Havas Market, to create a more integrated media business.
“Loh’s appointment is an important part of that journey and underscores our commitment to investing in the talent and capabilities that will drive growth for our clients and business in Singapore,” he said.
Nayak joined Havas Media Network in January 2025 as CEO of its Singapore operations and President of Southeast Asia. During his time with the organisation, he worked on expanding its capabilities, strengthening its leadership structure and generating new business opportunities.
Nayak said he established Havas Market and CSA through key regional appointments, broadening the agency’s expertise in social and influencer marketing, eCommerce and data. He also assembled a new leadership team to develop business opportunities, several of which started converting in the second half of 2026.
Under his leadership, Havas Media Singapore won new accounts after a prolonged period of renewal and competitive pitches. The wins included Puma Southeast Asia and Vincar. The agency also broadened its partnership with Direct Asia Insurance to cover Budget Direct, with the assignment extending to Havas Play.
Nayak also pointed to the restructuring of Havas Play’s team earlier in the year, which helped the agency secure new accounts, including CAAS/SAA and Paradox Hotels.
“With the right leadership team in place, it was time for me to move into my next challenge,” Nayak said. He added that he was in discussions to partner with a Singapore-based commercial expansion and growth consultancy. However, he plans to take a break before beginning his next professional chapter in 2027.
Before joining Havas, Nayak spent nearly three years at dentsu Singapore as Managing Director of its media group, from April 2022 to December 2024.
He previously served as Chief Marketing Officer at OMD APAC and held regional business development and client leadership positions at Omnicom Media Group, including Director of Business Development for Asia Pacific and Regional Business Director at OMD. His earlier experience includes roles at MediaCom in Singapore and Malaysia, Euro RSCG in Hong Kong and India, and MediaCom India.
The appointment follows other leadership changes across Havas’ Asia Pacific network. In Singapore, Havas Media Network named Teresa Goh General Manager of Havas Play Singapore in April, following the exit of CEO Kenny Yap.
In Hong Kong, Havas appointed Charlie Clack as Managing Director in September, succeeding Andrew Cawte, who retired after 11 years with the agency.
Read more: Omnicom Media Australia Appoints Asier Carazo as First Chief Strategy Officer
