Open Road appoints new head of healthcare

Open Road has announced the appointment of Alexa Knight as the new head of its healthcare practice, succeeding Andrew Hobson.

Ms Knight was formerly an associate director at Hanover for five years, working with healthcare sector clients such as the American Pharmaceutical Group, Alliance Medical, Heart UK and Roche, while she has served as a director at JMC Partners since January 2013.

Her appointment comes as the agency seeks to expand its healthcare service offering to include pharmaceuticals, clinical groups and patient groups, reports PRWeek.

Predecessor Mr Hobson quit the agency earlier this year to take up a communications role with NHS South London, with Ms Knight being selected in recognition of her extensive expertise in this field.

Open Road chief executive Graham McMillan said: "Alexa brings a wealth of experience from across the healthcare community. She joins our healthcare practice at a time of continuing expansion and will be a great addition to our established team."

The agency already serves a number of leading healthcare and pharmaceutical companies, including AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Gilead, Sanofi and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.