ABOUT
Ashford Communications specialises in industries shaped by technical detail, commercial pressures and public policy.
Our advice draws on first-hand industry experience, commercial understanding and extensive knowledge of the Asia-Pacific media landscape. We understand how issues are reported, interpreted and scrutinised differently across the region—and help clients explain complex subjects clearly without losing accuracy or nuance.
Who we are
THE NAME
Two enduring symbols of guidance and resilience.
The ash tree
Long associated with strength, resilience and enduring growth. Across many cultures, it represents wisdom, adaptability and the ability to thrive through changing conditions.
The ford
The ford has historically represented a place of safe passage—a point where people, ideas and commerce cross rivers and move forward. It symbolises helping organisations navigate complexity, overcome obstacles and move confidently through periods of change.
Together, the ash tree and the ford represent strength in uncertain conditions and a clear way forward through difficult terrain. They reflect the role Ashford Communications seeks to play for its clients.
LEADERSHIP
Melissa Tan
Founder & Managing Director
Melissa Tan is the Founder and Managing Director of Ashford Communications, a specialist consultancy advising businesses in energy, commodities, financial markets and infrastructure. She helps organisations explain technical and often sensitive issues to the media, while protecting and strengthening their visibility and reputation.
With more than 20 years of experience across Asia, Melissa has worked across traditional and emerging energy sectors, benchmark pricing, financial and commodity markets, sustainability, power and infrastructure. She advises companies on how to communicate with investors, policymakers, customers, journalists and the wider public — audiences that often approach the same issue from very different perspectives.
Before founding Ashford Communications, Melissa served as Director of APAC Communications at S&P Global Energy, home to Platts, where she was appointed to establish and lead the firm’s Asia-Pacific communications function. Over seven years, she built its regional presence and raised the profile of its data, benchmark price assessments and market insights. Her work included executive positioning, benchmark defence, thought leadership and reputation management.
Prior to S&P, Melissa spent nine years driving corporate communications across Asia Pacific for U.S.-based asset manager Franklin Templeton. Her experience covered equities, fixed income, multi-asset solutions, alternatives, infrastructure and private equity. Earlier in her career, she held communications and research roles in Singapore's public sector before moving to two international public relations agencies.
Melissa holds a Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) in Political Science from the National University of Singapore.