Sandpiper Communications acquires public affairs consultancy North Head in China

Sandpiper Communications has acquired China-based public affairs and strategic communications consultancy North Head. The China business will be renamed Sandpiper North Head, with John Russell remaining managing director. After the acquisition, North Head’s specialist expertise and experience in government and public affairs will be immediately rolled out across Sandpiper Communications' APAC network to its clients based in Australia, China, Hong Kong, Singapore and globally.

North Head was established in Beijing in 2010 and led by John Russell, Robert Magyar, and Joyce Li. Over the past decade, North Head's team has advised leading multinational businesses and brands in China and across APAC on high-stakes, complex public affairs and communications challenges. Sandpiper Communications said the acquisition comes at a time when it is expanding its regional presence. 

“Having successfully and happily worked together with the Sandpiper team over the years on various clients, I am excited that North Head will now join formally the Sandpiper family. This is a win-win move, with many synergies given the complementary profiles and strengths of Sandpiper and North Head. The outcomes will be a stronger offering to our clients and enhanced opportunities for all our employees," said John Russell, managing director of Sandpiper North Head. 

“North Head has been a long-term partner to our business, and after many years of friendship I am thrilled to officially welcome their wonderful team to our family. Our offerings are incredibly complementary, and the acquisition will strengthen our Greater China presence and network-wide public affairs advisory capability," said Emma Smith, chief executive of Sandpiper Communications. 

She added, "With the increasing complexity and uncertainty across the global business environment, it is critical that strategic communications efforts consider and align with government agendas and North Head’s experience will bring a deeper perspective to our expertise in this area.”

Sandpiper Communications has been expanding in 2021. In May, it appointed Genevieve Chow as director. Chow has joined Sandpiper after sending 14 years with Burson-Marsteller, where she worked in Hong Kong, Myanmar and Singapore, and led corporate reputation, international media relations and public affairs programmes for global technology companies, including Foxconn, Huawei, SAP and Telenor. She was also deputy market leader for the Singapore office and has advised several Singapore government agencies. 

Power up your PR and communications efforts today with MARKETING-INTERACTIVE's PR Asia Week on 1 and 2 December. Learn ways to build an evidence-based practice, up the ante on your strategies, and be head and shoulders above your competition. Click here to register today! 

Related articles
Sandpiper HK brings on board comms veteran Kim Spear
Sandpiper Communications makes two senior appointments
Sandpiper Communications adds two account directors at its HK office