Topham Guerin appoints Andrew Hirst as CEO
Topham Guerin has appointed Andrew Hirst as its Chief Executive Officer, to lead the agency's next phase of global growth across New York, London, Sydney and Auckland.
- Published
- 1 July 2026
- Type
- Announcement
- Topics
-
- leadership
- agency growth
- appointment
What we announced
- Andrew Hirst brings more than 20 years' experience at the intersection of politics, strategy and communications
- Was Federal Director of the Liberal Party of Australia from 2017 to 2026, running national campaign strategy and organisational leadership
- Earlier roles include Deputy Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Director of Communications for the Liberal Party, and Director at an international research and campaigns firm
- As CEO, his remit spans operations, client partnerships, and the agency's strategic communications, campaigns, reputation, public affairs and influence work
Topham Guerin has appointed Andrew Hirst as Chief Executive Officer, marking a new phase for the agency as it builds its work across markets, sectors and audiences.
Andrew will lead TG across New York, London, Sydney and Auckland, working closely with co-founders Sean Topham and Ben Guerin and the senior leadership team.
His appointment strengthens TG's leadership as the agency continues to broaden its work across strategic communications, campaigns, reputation, public affairs and influence.
Andrew brings more than 20 years of experience at the intersection of politics, strategy and communications. He served as Federal Director of the Liberal Party of Australia from 2017 to 2026, overseeing national campaign strategy and organisational leadership. Prior to that, he held senior roles including Deputy Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Director of Communications for the Liberal Party, and Director at an international research and campaigns firm.
Andrew Hirst said: “I've known Sean and Ben since TG's early days in 2016. They're two of the most creative and dynamic people I've worked with, and I've always admired the energy and ambition of the agency they have built.
“TG understands how to move people, not just reach them. As technology continues to reshape how people find, filter and trust information, that ability matters more than ever.
“I'm excited to join a team that has always been at the frontier of that change, and to help shape what TG becomes from here.”
TG co-founder Sean Topham said: “Andrew is a trusted leader with deep experience across strategy, communications and high-pressure campaigns. His appointment strengthens TG as we build the agency for the future.”
TG co-founder Ben Guerin said: “Few people understand campaigns, communications and operational leadership the way Andrew does. With him running TG, the founding team can focus on what we do best: advising clients on their toughest problems, and delivering the sharp strategic thinking, edgy creative and innovative tech that sets TG apart.”
Topham Guerin are the global influence experts, helping leaders, brands and organisations grow, persuade, mobilise and protect.
The agency helps clients win customers, command attention, build trust, protect reputation and confidence, and move people to act. TG brings strategy, creativity, communications and campaigning together to change hearts, change minds and deliver serious impact.
“TG understands how to move people, not just reach them. As technology continues to reshape how people find, filter and trust information, that ability matters more than ever.”
Andrew Hirst
“Andrew is a trusted leader with deep experience across strategy, communications and high-pressure campaigns. His appointment strengthens TG as we build the agency for the future.”
Sean Topham
“Few people understand campaigns, communications and operational leadership the way Andrew does. With him running TG, the founding team can focus on what we do best: advising clients on their toughest problems, and delivering the sharp strategic thinking, edgy creative and innovative tech that sets TG apart.”
Ben Guerin
Questions & answers
Who is the new CEO of Topham Guerin?
Andrew Hirst, appointed in 2026, leading TG across New York, London, Sydney and Auckland alongside co-founders Sean Topham and Ben Guerin and the senior leadership team.
What is Andrew Hirst's background?
More than 20 years at the intersection of politics, strategy and communications. He was Federal Director of the Liberal Party of Australia from 2017 to 2026, and before that Deputy Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Director of Communications for the Liberal Party, and a Director at an international research and campaigns firm.
What happens to co-founders Sean Topham and Ben Guerin?
They remain closely involved in the business. As Ben Guerin put it, with Andrew running TG the founding team can focus on what they do best: advising clients on their toughest problems, and delivering the sharp strategic thinking, edgy creative and innovative tech that sets TG apart.