Sandpiper launches health arm to meet rising needs of healthcare in APAC

Communications consultancy Sandpiper has launched Sandpiper Health, merging its existing Asia Pacific health practice and the health arm of its recently acquired China-based consultancy North Head.

The combined entity will provide a full range of consultancy services including corporate communications, patient advocacy, public affairs and policy development, as well as internal communications and social and digital strategies. Sandpiper Health will be led by directors Saskia Kendall (pictured right) and Sarada Chellam based in Singapore, and Robert Magyar based in Beijing, China. The founding team will comprise around 30 dedicated specialist consultants based across Australia, China, Hong Kong SAR, and Singapore.

"Three years ago, we founded our health practice in Asia Pacific with a vision to provide truly specialist counsel for healthcare and wellbeing-focused organisations across the region. This has been very well received and with our recent acquisition of North Head, who has the largest and most experienced healthcare public affairs and communications team in mainland China, the timing is right to launch Sandpiper Health as a dedicated specialist consultancy," said Emma Smith, CEO of Sandpiper.

Sarada Chellam (pictured middle), director, of Sandpiper Health and general manager Singapore added, "Improving the quality of healthcare in Asia Pacific is a central priority for people and governments in the region, a trend that has been exacerbated by the pandemic. It is important in this environment that healthcare companies work with other stakeholders to provide solutions to the challenges faced and develop programmes that can help people manage their health better and stay healthier for longer.”

Currently, Sandpiper Health's clients include many of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies, as well as medical device manufacturers, health insurers, health services groups, telemedicine start-ups, and major industry associations.

“Growing affluence, aging populations, and most acutely the COVID-19 pandemic continue to create complex environments that governments and healthcare companies must navigate in China and across the region. Sandpiper Health has the local expertise and experience to help our clients understand patients, caregivers, and policymakers’ priorities and to align their businesses for growth," said Robert Magyar (pictured left), director of Sandpiper Health.

Sandpiper Communications acquired China-based public affairs and strategic communications consultancy North Head last year. 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.

Sandpiper has been expanding its health practice in the region. In 2020, it launched its health practice in Hong Kong and appointed Jenny Jackson as associate director, who led the practice in Hong Kong and supported the agency’s growing list of health clients, including pharmaceutical groups, health insurers, health services groups, health analytics and telemedicine start-ups.

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