40 Under 40 2024: Eddie Morton, Sandpiper

Eddie Morton spent the first decade of his career living out his childhood dream of being a reporter in far-flung parts of the world. This led to a variety of reporter roles in Australia before heading abroad to become assistant business editor at Cambodia's Phnom Penh Post and later assistant international and Asia desk editor at Hong Kong's South China Morning Post.

After journalism, he led communications for Members Health, the strategic political advocacy vehicle for Australia’s health insurance industry.

From there, he moved into consultancy, joining Sandpiper, to help its global health and insurance clients develop critical messaging and strategies that support multinational stakeholder relations campaigns, advocacy and policy, M&A, crisis and reputation issues. 

The past year has been particularly successful for Morton. As a founding member of Sandpiper's Australia office, he has helped treble the company's headcount and significantly increase revenue by winning multinational and local healthcare clients, as well as extending the company's existing client relationships into new offerings, namely selling Sandpiper’s research, advocacy, media, events and stakeholder engagement offerings. In recognition of his contribution to the growth of the business, Morton was promoted to APAC deputy head of Sandpiper Health.

As a hands-on leader, Morton mentors younger members of the team and advocates for their growth and recognition. Demonstrating his commitment, he relocated from Melbourne to Sydney to be closer to the team. He also played an important role in Sandpiper’s Middle East expansion, offering his expertise and support to the local team. The move resulted in several new business opportunities for the agency. 

He has worked alongside the agency’s talent and HR heads to develop the global DEI policy. A true champion of the underdog, he ensures that introverted and quiet colleagues are never overlooked. His passion for nurturing young talent shines through as he leverages his personal network to place and support aspiring PR graduates, helping them secure roles in the industry.