Singapore & London – CNBC, First in Business Worldwide, has made two senior appointments to its international communications team.

Mike Cheong joins as Communications Manager for CNBC Asia Pacific on 13 July and will be based at the Singapore office.

Cheong joins CNBC from global public relations and communications firm Burson-Marsteller. In his role as a Senior Associate, Cheong managed accounts across the government, corporate and hospitality sectors in addition to providing crisis management and social media counsel. Among his clients were the Singapore Tourism Board, DesignSingapore Council, Singapore International Foundation, Meltwater and Far East Hospitality.

Prior to joining Burson-Marsteller in 2012, Cheong worked at Bite Communications, GPA Holdings and as a sports journalist. He holds a degree in Mass Communications from Oklahoma City University.

Lee Thompson joins as Communications Manager for CNBC EMEA on 27 July and will be based at the London office.

Thompson joins CNBC from communications consultancy freuds where, as an Account Director, he was responsible for PR campaigns and corporate and consumer communications for a number of the world’s leading brands including Vodafone, Pepsico and Lexus.

Prior to joining freuds in 2012, Thompson held a range of PR and public affairs roles at APCO Worldwide, the Association of Chief Police Officers and Citizens Advice. In his early career he worked in both Washington DC and Westminster as a political campaigner and adviser. He holds a degree in Politics & Parliamentary Studies from the University of Leeds.

Both Thompson and Cheong will report to Finola McDonnell, VP of International Marketing and Communications and will take lead responsibility for managing the communications function across their relevant territories.