Gavin Anderson boosts public affairs arm

ASIA-PACIFIC - Public relations consultancy Gavin Anderson and Company has made two senior hires to its public affairs division in the region, having appointed Alison Airey (pictured) as director of public affairs in Japan and Sandra Eccles as director in Australia.

Jim Weeks, Gavin Anderson’s executive chairman for Japan and Asia-Pacific, commented that the additions were reflective of an increasing client demand for government relations and public affairs advice “as part of a full strategic communications offering that adds real value to a company’s business strategy”.

Airey has joined the firm from a position as trade and economic counsellor at the Australian embassy in Tokyo, where she worked towards achieving a free trade agreement between the respective governments. She has fifteen years’ experience working with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Meanwhile, Eccles, who will be based in Canberra, has transferred from Government Relations Australia, a public affairs firm, where she was recently involved in lobbying on climate change policy. Eccles has also acted as an advisor to a government chief of staff and state premier.

Gavin Anderson is active in a total of fourteen cities across twelve markets in Asia Pacific.