Weber Shandwick makes two senior additions to China leadership

Shen takes the Beijing GM responsibilities from Darren Burns, managing director in China [updated], who was overseeing the Beijing office. Shen has also been appointed as head of the corporate and public affairs practice to drive growth throughout China. Alistair Nicholas, currently executive vice president of corporate and public affairs, will be relocating from Beijing to Sydney in the New Year to take on a senior public affairs role. 

With more than 20 years’ experience in communications, Shen rejoins the firm after an absence of more than five years with HP and Microsoft. His most recent role was senior director of corporate communications for Microsoft Greater China.

Lydia Lee, senior vice president of the technology practice, has been promoted to chief strategist for the firm’s operations in China and will also head the firm’s emergent China practice, which advises China-based multinationals and their CEOs on strategic expansion into global markets. 

Both Shen and Lee will report to Burns.

Update, 4:15 pm. 18 December: Due to incorrect information provided by the agency, the story originally said David Liu, chairman of Weber Shandwick China, had been overseeing the Beijing office.