Sandpiper adds to growing New Zealand team

AUCKLAND, Today: Hastings-based strategic communications and public affairs consultancy Sandpiper has grown its presence in NZ with the appointment of Camille Middleditch as associate director and Charlotte Whale as senior consultant.

Middleditch joins from an unnamed “local full-service communications consultancy” and will support the growth of Sandpiper across the New Zealand, Australia, and Asia markets. 

Sandpiper ceo Emma Smith said: “Camille has over 14 years’ experience in corporate communications and ESG advisory in New Zealand and the UK, working with clients across a range of industries including Schroders, Burberry, Sage, Palo Alto Networks, Fullers360, Exsurgo, Austrex NZ, and Doppelmayr.

She has also worked as an advisor in New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries, the NZ Racing Board, and engineering firm WSP.

“Charlotte has over 20 years’ experience as a journalist and producer in international newsrooms including the BBC in London and Al Jazeera English in Doha, Qatar.

“She has covered many of the biggest news stories to hit the headlines over the last two decades including the Mumbai terror attacks, Greek economic crisis, the Arab Spring, and the outbreak of the Syrian war.

“She will work closely with Sandpiper’s NZ director Ed Brewster, to grow Sandpiper’s international media and crisis practice working with clients across Asia Pacific and globally on international media engagement, messaging, press office management, crisis management, and media training.”

“Their appointments follow the opening of Sandpiper’s NZ office in 2021, with consultants based across Auckland and Hawke’s Bay.”

Both Whale and Middleditch will be based in Auckland and will advise existing Sandpiper clients in New Zealand, reporting into Ed Brewster, as well as international clients operating across the Asia Pacific region and globally.

Their appointment follows the opening of Sandpiper’s New Zealand office in December 2021, which has consultants based across Auckland and Hawke’s Bay, and acts as Sandpiper’s regional primary industries hub.

Emma Smith said: “We continue to see a clear opportunity in the New Zealand market to support local organisations with Asia and international growth and investment ambitions, as well as domestic strategies, particularly in the primary industries.

“Camille and Charlotte are both accomplished, senior practitioners who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to our local and international clients, and I am thrilled to welcome them to our team.”

Camille Middleditch said: “I’m delighted to join a growing team that provides a unique offer to the New Zealand market. Sandpiper’s deep sector knowledge across the Asia Pacific region provides New Zealand companies with the opportunity to engage with local and international audiences informed by insights and supported by a global team of industry leaders.”

Charlotte Whale said: “I’m excited to take the next step in my career shifting my focus from journalism to communications and joining the growing team at Sandpiper. I am driven by the power of storytelling and believe that the skills, knowledge, and passion I’ve developed as a journalist will serve our clients well, supporting organisations and individuals to tell their stories in a more impactful way.”

About Sandpiper
Sandpiper is a strategic communications and public affairs consultancy based in Asia Pacific and operating globally. Our deep specialist knowledge in the health, finance, technology, professional services, consumer brands, primary industries, and the energy and environment sectors ensure we understand the challenges our clients face, can think creatively about their issues, and shape communications to achieve their business goals.

Operating with one global P&L, we are nimble, creative, and able to harness new technologies to deliver advisory backed by rigorous research and deep insights. This enables us to meet the evolving needs of our clients quickly and effectively wherever they are in the world.

In 2022 Sandpiper was ranked in the top 10 fastest growing agencies in Asia Pacific by PRovoke for a second consecutive year and was a winner and finalist of 25 industry awards.

• sandpipercomms.com
• sandpipercomms.com/contact-nz