Edelman appoints new UK health and bioscience head

Edelman has announced the appointment of Paul Gittins as the new managing director of its UK health and bioscience practice, taking over from Steve Spurr.

Mr Gittins is the co-founder and current managing director of the Red Health unit at Red Consultancy and has a strong track record in leading award-winning local and international health campaigns, while offering strategic consultancy for pharmaceutical companies, charities and trade bodies.

Following this appointment, Mr Spurr will be able to focus on his responsibilities as Edelman UK chief operating officer on a full-time basis, while also taking on the role of UK health chairman for the agency.

Mr Spurr said: "Paul is a proven creative health innovator and adding his expertise and passion to this industry-leading team will only strengthen Edelman's health offering."

In the last five years, the Edelman health practice has grown to include more than 70 consultants, with dedicated consumer health, medical education, health public policy and market access specialist teams complementing its core pharma communications offering.

It appointed Camilla Horwood as head of its health public affairs business last October.