New hire Archives - WA Communications

Our new integrated health policy and communications offer

We are excited to welcome Grant Fisher as Head of Health Communications, and Donna Curran as Partner. The hires aim to match the needs of our growing integrated health policy and communications offer, which is helping clients tackle some of their biggest challenges.

Grant is a healthcare communications specialist, with over 18 years’ experience working in the UK, European and Global healthcare markets. He’s worked in award winning agencies, on a wide range of therapy areas and with the biggest pharmaceutical and biotech companies. Before agency life, he worked as a communications and patient engagement lead in the NHS, giving him a unique perspective on how best to engage audiences to ensure patients get the medicines they deserve.

Donna specialises in managing strategic communications programmes for a range of leading pharma and med-tech companies and has delivered award winning integrated campaigns for world class brands. She is an expert in bringing diverse groups together to make change in health a reality. Most recently, she played a leading role in setting up the Infection Management Coalition which brought together, pharma, med tech, professional bodies, and clinicians to tackle the ‘hidden pandemic’ of antibiotic resistance.

Dean Sowman, Senior Partner and Head of Health said: “After the best start to the year in the agency’s history, with a raft of big integrated policy and communications wins, I am delighted to welcome Grant and Donna to the team. Their extensive expertise in delivering award winning communications programmes adds extra firepower to our integrated offering. Our clients want in-depth policy knowledge and communications flair to work hand-in-hand to achieve business outcomes and, ultimately, to benefit patients and society.”
Donna Curran, said: “I am excited to be joining WA Health at this exciting time in its evolution, and building on the fantastic work that it has already achieved. The opportunity to be at the forefront of developing communications closely integrated to policy and government affairs is an exciting prospect. I believe the work we will do has the ability to improve the lives of many patients, through supporting the delivery of better treatment and healthcare.”
Grant Fisher, said: “I am extremely excited that Donna is joining me as we formally launch WA Health’s integrated offer. WA Health’s extensive policy and government affairs knowledge, combined with a commitment to enact meaningful change through communications is an exciting prospect and one I truly align with. I believe WA Health’s approach will ensure we are best placed to develop powerful campaigns, that will make positive change a reality.”

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Daniel Hearne joins WA to bolster Digital Team

In the newly-created Director of Digital role, digital communications specialist Daniel Hearne will draw on his experience as a campaigns specialist. Working with our 60-strong team, Daniel will drive forward WA’s digital offer ensuring it is at the heart of our clients’ campaigns.

Daniel joins us from the strategic advisory firm, Brunswick Group, where he advised and developed global digital corporate and consumer campaigns for clients across the technology, financial services, professional services, retail, and energy and resources sectors, supporting them to navigate and successfully communicate with their most important audiences on digital channels.

As part of the move, Daniel will work alongside our Deputy Managing Director and strategic communications specialist Laura Gabb and WA’s Creative team to further broaden our existing integrated campaigning capabilities.

Our recent works includes delivering digital campaigns for Sanofi to showcase the pharma giant’s sustainability strategy; developing social campaigns for the Institution of Civil Engineers; and producing a creative campaign film and report for Chiltern Railway to showcase their plans for an easier, greener and better future.

Daniel’s appointment is the latest in a series of senior hires and appointments – including Alison Clarke as our Chair, strategic communications specialist Laura Gabb who joined us as Deputy Managing Director; Cicero MD Tom Frackowiak, who joined to head up our Financial Services practice; former Times Transport Correspondent Philip Pank; and the appointment of Whitehall Permanent Secretary Sir Philip Rutnam, as Chair of our Advisory Board.

Commenting on his appointment, Daniel Hearne, Director of Digital, WA, said:

“In a complex, multi-stakeholder environment, businesses need to communicate with every relevant audience and maximise the number of channels and touchpoints to achieve policy outcomes and strengthen corporate reputations.
With WA’s strong background in delivering strategic communications campaigns, I am looking forward to working with our clients to ensure digital and social is at the heart of their campaigns.”

Dominic Church, Managing Director, WA, added:

“I’m delighted to welcome Daniel to WA.
His extensive experience in navigating and using digital channels to best achieve client outcomes will be a great asset to WA’s integrated approach.
Daniel’s appointment will be invaluable to our clients and team, as we pursue our ambition of becoming the UK’s leading independent strategic communications agency.”

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WA Communications bolsters corporate comms function with new hire

WA Communications has hired seasoned government communicator Rachel Ford as an Associate Director in their Strategic Communications practice.

Rachel is a media relations specialist with extensive experience working at the heart of government to promote policy, manage reputation and influence public opinion.

She joins WA after over seven years working on some of the most sensitive and high-profile issues in Whitehall, most recently running the press office at the Ministry of Defence. Rachel also spent several years at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), and before joining government worked in PR where she brought health, charity and travel campaigns to life.

Rachel will now bring her in-depth knowledge of policy development, crisis comms and reputation management to bolster the corporate comms function within WA’s Strategic Communications team, which continues to go from strength to strength, with WA having seen 45% year on year growth across the agency.

Lee Findell, Partner and Head of Corporate Communications, WA Communications, said:

“Rachel brings a wealth of government, policy and media relations experience to WA and is a fantastic addition to our Strategic Communications team as we continue to grow our integrated, insight-led comms offer.
“Rachel will be invaluable in helping clients navigate the political and media landscape to make sure their messages are heard by the right people, at the right time.”

Rachel Ford, Associate Director, Strategic Communications, said:

“From energy and the housing market to health and the cost of living, WA helps clients navigate some of the biggest issues facing businesses and society today.
“I look forward to working with clients on these knotty issues to make sure messaging is relevant, targeted and can bring about real and lasting change.”

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Former Special Adviser Amy Fisher joins WA Communications

Following 45% year on year growth across the agency, Amy has joined WA as a Director in the Strategic Communications practice, as WA continues to broaden its political insights and strategic counsel.

Amy will play a key role in servicing client accounts across the business, with a focus on providing insight and senior advice for clients on around issues and reputation management and crisis comms.

The creation of the Strategic Communications practice last year came amid not only strong growth for WA, but also with high profile new business wins including Novo Nordisk, Newcastle University, Landmark Information Group, Roadchef, Edenred, and Simplyhealth. The new offering draws on the strengths of both Corporate Communications and Public Affairs teams to further strengthen WA’s reputation for outcome-based results for clients.

Amy has joined WA after spending time, since 2010, in senior roles in government as a Special Adviser in four different Whitehall departments (Northern Ireland Office, Home Office, Ministry of Justice, Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs), and as Director of Communications for the Conservative Party. Latterly, she has joined WA from the think tank Policy Exchange, where she was Director of Policy and Communications. Amy has worked previously in the private sector, including at Google, but laid her roots in Westminster, working in Conservative HQ’s press office, at the outset of her career.

Marc Woolfson, Partner and Head of Public Affairs, WA Communications, said:

“Amy is a hugely respected political figure and we’re delighted to welcome her as we build our senior team. She will bring unparalleled insight to our Strategic Comms practice, both from a political and media standpoint. This unique blend of expertise is a perfect fit for WA as we continue to develop our team of experts and create more holistic offerings for our clients, rooted in deep insight.”

Amy Fisher, Director, Strategic Communications, said:

“It’s clear that there are significant challenges ahead for the country; at such a time, it’s even more important that clients receive properly integrated PR and PA support, and carefully thought-through advice.
“I hope to add significant value to WA’s pedigree in the public affairs landscape, and combined with my experience in communications, and crisis comms, contribute to WA’s truly blended offering across the market. I look forward to helping clients navigate their way forward.”

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Posts Tagged ‘New hire’

Our new integrated health policy and communications offer

Daniel Hearne joins WA to bolster Digital Team

WA Communications bolsters corporate comms function with new hire

Former Special Adviser Amy Fisher joins WA Communications

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