Iris Singapore switches MDs, launches new division

Iris Singapore has made changes to its leadership team, naming Andy Cairns as its new managing director, while current MD Sorcha John will become the global director of Iris Future Strategy, a new division focused on navigating long-term transformational shifts for businesses. 

Cairns arrives at Iris after serving most recently as managing director at M&C Saatchi in Melbourne.  Prior to that, he was global brands director at Havas Worldwide and strategic business lead at BBH in London. Reporting to European CEO, Steve Bell, Cairns will apply his past experience in leading multi-disciplinary teams across sectors for major brands.

As head of Iris Future Strategy, John will report to Ben Essen, Iris' global chief strategy officer. The new division will combine strategic modelling, speculative design and creativity as planning tools to speed up long-term competitiveness. 

“Sorcha has a razor-sharp understanding of what modern businesses and brands need to succeed," Iris APAC CEO Luke Nathans said in a release. "This next evolution in her career is testament to her progressive, forward-thinking approach to the industry and her ongoing success at Iris.”

"It's incredibly important that we have the right people and skill sets to help our clients navigate these dynamic times," Nathans noted. 

Cairns added, "I've always admired the way Iris refuses to conform to the labels most agencies use to define themselves. Iris embodies all that is progressive within the industry and has been delivering impactful ideas for forward-thinking clients for some 20 years now. The breadth and quality of the work is refreshing and I’m looking forward to contributing to the success the team is already delivering."