BEIJING — Sanjay Nair is departing his role as Edelman China COO and Beijing MD to become the firm's US technology practice lead, reporting to global tech chair Natalie Kerris.

Nair, who joined Edelman 12 years ago, has spent the past five years in China. He takes on a US tech leadership role that was previously handled by former global tech chair Maria Amundson. Based in San Francisco, Nair will oversee 200 staff across 13 US markets, across a client portfolio that includes Adobe, Microsoft, Samsung, eBay, and PayPal

In China, meanwhile, Edelman has hired former MullenLowe Profero China MD Jackie Xu Rui as Shanghai MD, reporting to China president Jeffrey Yu.

“The communications marketing industry faces new challenges with rapid technological change, and social and cultural changes in China compound it,” said Xu Rui. “However, the need for strategic thinking and creativity is never going to change and will probably be greater in today's world. I am very excited to join the passionate and talented Edelman team on a journey of developing innovative new ways of adding value to clients and consumers.”

Edelman currently has more than 320 employees across China