Sarah James
About Sarah James
Sarah James serves as the Head of Communications for Asia at Sun Life, where she has implemented significant initiatives including a digital transformation program and a sustainability strategy. With a background in communications and marketing across various organizations, she has a proven track record of enhancing media coverage and employee engagement.
Work at Sun Life
Sarah James has served as the Head of Communications for Asia at Sun Life since 2019. In this role, she has designed a regional thought leadership research project aimed at establishing Sun Life in a new market segment. She has implemented a digital transformation change management program that significantly increased understanding and desire for change among employees to over 95%. Additionally, she has led a culture transformation initiative to unite employees in new ways of working. Under her leadership, Sun Life achieved a 12 percentage point average increase in employee communications engagement and a 27% annual increase in positive media coverage in 2020.
Education and Expertise
Sarah James holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Charles Sturt University, which she completed from 2000 to 2003. She also completed the Lloyd's Leadership Programme at London Business School. Currently, she is pursuing a Master of Business Administration while managing her professional responsibilities. Her educational background supports her expertise in communications and leadership within the financial services industry.
Background
Before joining Sun Life, Sarah James held various roles in communications and marketing. She worked at Cox Inall Communications as an Associate Consultant from 2005 to 2007 in Sydney, Australia. She then joined Lloyd's of London, where she served in multiple capacities, including Media Relations Manager from 2010 to 2012 and Head of Global Marketing from 2017 to 2018. Her experience also includes working as the Deputy Director of External Communications at Willis from 2012 to 2013 and as a Press Officer at the Council of Mortgage Lenders from 2007 to 2009.
Achievements
During her tenure at Sun Life, Sarah James has led significant initiatives, including the development of the first sustainability strategy for Sun Life in Asia. She has successfully increased employee engagement and media coverage metrics, demonstrating her impact on the organization's communication strategies. Her leadership in change management and culture transformation initiatives has contributed to a more cohesive work environment and enhanced organizational performance.