AstraZeneca PR chief Fiona Tigar has put in place the final
elements of the drug giant's comms team, after concluding a 19-month
recruitment spree during which she appointed 15 PROs.
The hires follow Tigar's appointment as head of PR and communications in
February last year, with a mandate to create the then newly merged
company's communications division (PRWeek, 18 February 2000).
The latest appointments see the firm take on Ruth Martin as internal
communications manager, and Angela Swann as editorial manager. The
previous round of hires was in April (PRWeek, 27 April).
Martin joins after 19 years at Marks & Spencer, most recently working in
the role of corporate communication services manager. Her remit will see
her provide strategic advice to the firm and implement internal
communications programmes.
Swann arrives from BP Amoco, where she specialised in e-business and
telecommunications. She will provide input for all communications, and
assume responsibility for the website and intranet.
In April, AstraZeneca recruited to fill four senior posts, taking on
Dominique Jaquest as brand PR manager, and Catherine Jankowicz to head
corporate and community programmes.
Tigar was herself recruited from Swiss healthcare firm Roche, where she
was public relations manager for the UK pharmaceutical division (PRWeek,
18 February 2000).
In August, AstraZeneca took on Jango Communications to advise on the
launch of global brands.
The company was formed in 1999 when Swedish firm Astra AB merged with UK
firm Zeneca Group.
The firm employs 50,000 people worldwide, 10,000 of whom are based in
the UK. New products in the pipeline include treatments for asthma and
high cholesterol.
