Aurora appoints Siân Hurst as managing director

Siân Hurst has been appointed managing director of Aurora in a move that will see the healthcare communications agency's founders, Neil Crump and Claire Eldridge, become its chief executive officers.

Hurst's appointment is intended to support an independent future for Aurora, which is part of the GLOBALHealthPR network of independent agencies.

Neil Crump said: “Having reflected on the future of the agency after the first decade, loving our culture and what we do, and seeing our contemporaries sell off their businesses, Claire and I decided that we want to grow Aurora and remain independent.

“We can make a bigger difference to clients, and ultimately patients, without the constraints of a parent company.

"Part of this plan sees Siân take hold of the reins of agency management, as Claire and I remain focused on client relationships and growth of the business in the UK and overseas.”

Hurst (pictured) joined Aurora in March 2008 as an associate director and the sixth member of the agency's team. She was then promoted to director in 2012 to oversee new business, client accounts and resourcing for a growing team of more than 30 experts.

“In addition to growing the business with Neil and Claire, I'm looking forward to leading our amazing agency team” said Siân. “They're a diverse bunch of scientists and communicators who are incredibly skilled at unearthing deeper insights to help our clients diagnose and solve their challenges, and ultimately ensure that patients get access to the innovations our clients create, whether they are medicines, services or tech.”