Independent strategic communications, public affairs and research group, Sandpiper Group, has announced five senior promotions to support its growing business and international footprint. 

In Singapore, Sarada Chellam has taken on the newly created role of Managing Director, Southeast Asia, while Elizabeth Chu has levelled up to General Manager, Singapore.

Sarada has held senior positions at agencies in Singapore and the Middle East, after finishing her career as a journalist. She first joined Sandpiper in 2018 and has supported the firm's presence expansion in Southeast Asia and beyond. Sarada has since accumulated experience across the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, healthcare, hospitality, aviation, and consumer sectors. She was most recently the General Manager of its Singapore office.

Most recently the Deputy General Manager of the group's Singapore business, Elizabeth's experience spans asset management, banking, FinTech, wealth management, as well as M&A and special situations. 

Based in Beijing, Joyce Li and Serena Cui were both promoted to Deputy General Manager, China. Joyce oversees and provides strategic counsel to the firm’s global and local clients. Her 20-year career includes senior communications roles in multinational agencies in the market. Joyce’s client experience covers the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, healthcare, education, automotive and information technologies sectors.

Serena's experience includes stakeholder engagement and mapping, thought leadership, market entry strategy, geopolitical advisory, public diplomacy, market intelligence and regulatory research. Prior to joining in 2020, she held senior communications roles in multinational agencies in Mainland China. In her new role, Serena continues to oversee all of Sandpiper’s public affairs business.

In Auckland, Camille Middleditch has been elevated to Deputy General Manager, New Zealand. Her experience covers media, stakeholder, investor, employee, and sustainability strategy and communications. Before joining Sandpiper, she held corporate communications and sustainability communications consulting roles.

“The promotion of Sarada, Elizabeth, Joyce, Serena and Camille, is in recognition of the critical role they have played in the growth of Sandpiper’s businesses across the region and their dedication to our clients and our people," said Sandpiper's Chief Executive Officer, Emma Smith.

"We are incredibly lucky to have such a strong talent pool of leadership within our firm, and nothing gives me more pleasure than to be able to promote our own talent. We are proud of the great work our teams deliver for our clients every day, and their leadership will help us continue to deliver award-winning work of the highest quality."