BBDO has appointed Chris Thomas as chief executive of the Americas following a nine year stint heading up the Asia office.

Thomas, currently chief executive of Asia, the Middle East and Africa will start his new role in May, overseeing 21 offices across the US, Canada and Latin America. He will keep his role as chairman of I&S BBDO and chairman of Proximity Worldwide, according to Ad Age.

Thomas will report to BBDO worldwide president-CEO Andrew Robertson, and will move to New York to take up his new role.

As chief executive of the Americas, Thomas replaces Troy Ruhanen who left in 2013 to become an executive vice president at BBDO’s parent company Omnicom Group and then as global chief executive of TBWA.

As a result of his move, Thomas’ responsibilities in Asia, the Middle East and Africa will be given to two other leaders. Jean-Paul Burge, president of Southeast Asia and chief executive of Singapore, will become CEO of Asia while Dani Richa, CEO of the Middle East and North Africa, will take on the rest of Africa.

“These changes demonstrate the benefits of our commitment to strong succession planning and will further strengthen the leadership team that will help deliver our goal of the world’s best work, year after year, and through that, growth for the next five years…and beyond,” Robertson in a statement.

Other changes to the management include the departure of Carol Potter, president-CEO of Greater China following nine years at the company. She will be succeeded by Tze Kiat Tan, who is being promoted from managing director to CEO; Wai Foong Leong, who is to become chairman and chief creative officer; and Hans Lopez Vito, who will become chief strategy officer.