SINGAPORE — Sandpiper has launched Sandpiper Health, merging its Asia-Pacific health practice with the health practice of recently acquired China consultancy North Head. Sandpiper Health will be led by directors Saskia Kendall and Sarada Chellam based in Singapore, and Robert Magyar based in Beijing. The founding team will comprise around 30 dedicated specialist consultants based across Australia, China, Hong Kong SAR, and Singapore. The client list includes pharmaceutical companies, as well as medical device manufacturers, health insurers, health services groups, telemedicine start-ups, and major industry associations.

SYDNEY — Cognito has expanded into Australia with the opening of a Sydney office. Scott Schuberg (pictured) will lead the operation as managing director, Australia and will report to Darrell Wright, managing director, APAC. Cognito said the move provides the opportunity for local brands to leverage Cognito’s global reach, while drawing in Cognito’s existing international clients to the Australian market. Cognito currently has offices in London, New York, Amsterdam, Singapore and Hong Kong.

SINGAPORE —  PRecious Communications has appointed Jose Raymond as director of strategic advisory for the firm's corporate practice, along with Joel Cutinho as senior manager. Most recently, Raymond served as chief strategy officer for communications and content marketing agency, SW Singapore and Malaysia. Previously, he served as the CEO for Singapore Environment Council and Press Secretary to Dr Vivian Balakrishnan at the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment.

SINGAPORE — Sandpiper has appointed Winston Choo as director, bringing years of communications and investor relations experience in the financial sector, as well as experience leading stakeholder outreach for public listings and M&As in Singapore and across Asia-Pacific. Choo joins from Citigate Dewe Rogerson, where he was executive director, leading corporate communications and investor relations briefs for international and local clients based in the firm’s Singapore office. Prior to this, he worked for more than a decade with financial communications specialist firms in the region.

SYDNEY — Australian boutique agency InsideOut Public Relations has rejoined IPREX, the international communications network. InsideOut, based in Sydney, is a full-service internal and external communications agency for corporate and consumer brands specialising in generating leading media exposure and creative publicity and influencer campaigns. The IPREX network has 1,600 staff members and 110 offices worldwide.