British Red Cross hires new comms chief from Barnardo’s

The British Red Cross has announced the appointment of Zoe Abrams as its new executive director of comms and engagement.

Ms Abrams is currently director of marketing comms at children's charity Barnardo's and will join the British Red Cross in December, becoming its most senior comms professional, reports PRWeek.

She has been with Barnardo's since 2011 and prior to that worked in the strategic comms team for the Ministry of Justice and several other government departments.

Her appointment follows the departure of Phil Talbot as director of comms at the global humanitarian aid charity in February, though Ms Abrams' role will be slightly different from that of her predecessor.

This comes at a time when the British Red Cross seeks to implement a new corporate strategy for 2015-2019, and coincides with the recent launch of its Europe Refugee Crisis Appeal.

Mike Adamson, chief executive of the British Red Cross, said: "Under Zoe's direction we will be able to communicate more effectively and openly with our beneficiaries, donors and supporters across a range of traditional and digital media channels."