Ruder Finn appoints new healthcare division head

Ruder Finn has re-appointed former employee Judith Cranford as the new head of its healthcare division.

Ms Cranford, who formerly served as healthcare business group director in her previous spell at the company, rejoins Ruder Finn from Manning Selvage and Lee, where she held the position of health and advocacy managing director, reports PRWeek.

In addition, she has previously been employed by Edelman, as well as serving as chief executive officer for the US-based National Osteoporosis Foundation.

She takes up the position vacated at the end of last year by Claire Martin, who departed the agency to work for Bayer Schering Pharma.

Ruder Finn’s UK managing director Nick Leonard said: “Judith’s international background and extensive experience in advocacy, alliance management and CSR is significant for much of our healthcare work at Ruder Finn, both for corporate and on-profit clients.”

Last month, the agency was nominated for three Silver Anvil awards by the Public Relations Society of America, recognising campaigns it has launched for Novartis and Bristol-Myers Squibb.