5 March 2024 – The Sandpiper Group (“Sandpiper”), the largest independent communications, public affairs, and research group headquartered in Asia Pacific has announced the opening of its first office in the Middle East, in Dubai, to support growing client needs in the region.

Sandpiper Dubai will be led by Bahjat Homsi, who joins Sandpiper as General Manager, Dubai, and Unice Liu who has joined as Associate Director.

Bahjat brings in depth knowledge of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the wider Middle East markets with more than 20 years of experience in communications, media, and stakeholder engagement in the UAE, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and Oman. His experience spans government and corporate communications, and public advocacy.

Before joining Sandpiper, Bahjat held senior positions at several network agencies, most recently as Director at Edelman Dubai. Throughout his career, Bahjat has led and worked on complex, multi-stakeholder projects such as the Emirates Mars Mission, the UAE Papal Visit, and COP28 UAE. He has also advised strategic clients such as the UAE Prime Minister’s Office, UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, and Majid Al Futtaim.

With a career spanning Asia Pacific and Greater China, Unice Liu is a senior communications strategist with deep experience in leading multi-market communications and stakeholder engagement programmes. Her experience covers the financial, professional services, food and agribusiness, government, education, and healthcare sectors. 

Prior to joining Sandpiper, Unice led the China operations of an Asia Pacific based communications consultancy, with a focus on helping multinational firms navigate China’s complex media, digital, and stakeholder landscape to establish their voice and drive commercial outcomes. 

Emma Smith, Chief Executive Officer, Sandpiper, said: “Our expansion coincides with growing trade and investment ties between the Middle East and Asia, especially with China. As a result, we have seen more requests for client support in the region and for specialist services in areas such as ESG communications, international media, integrated communications and policy advisory, and research. We are thrilled to welcome Bahjat and Unice to our team to lead this exciting expansion for our company.”

Bahjat Homsi, General Manager, Sandpiper Dubai, said: “The UAE’s fast evolving landscape offers a multitude of opportunities for organisations, and there is a need for communications consultancies that can add distinctive value, and help clients navigate this dynamic market. Sandpiper’s specialised service offerings, strategic approach, agile operating model, and deep network across Asia and the Middle East will be key differentiators.”

Unice Liu, Associate Director, Sandpiper Dubai, said: “Sandpiper is a fast-growing and trusted partner for reputation management strategies with a culture that focuses on building trusted, long-term client partnerships. With the Middle East’s pivot to Asia and the geoeconomic and geopolitical shift this is creating, I am thrilled and privileged to help play a role in connecting the growing opportunities between these regions.”