Jorge Mestre-Ferrandiz to lead Office of Health Economics' consultancy division

The Office of Health Economics (OHE) has appointed Dr Jorge Mestre-Ferrandiz as the first director of OHE Consulting – the organisation's consultancy division.

Mestre-Ferrandiz will lead the division's efforts to provide research-led consultancy in the health and life sciences economics and policy as it attempts to win external funding as part of plans to expand its operations.

He is in the sixth year of his second spell with the OHE, having previously worked at the research firm from 2001 to 2005 before spending a year at Spanish pharmaceutical trade association Farmaindustria.

He moved back to UK-based OHE in 2006, however, rejoining as a senior economist. In his new role Mestre-Ferrandiz will be responsible for all aspects of the OHE's consultancy business, including marketing, business development and project management.

He will also continue to contribute to all other OHE activities, including advising the UK pharma body the ABPI, as well as conducting and publishing his own research.

Mestre-Ferrandiz said: “I am confident that our experienced and highly skilled team of health economists will be a great draw for those looking to further their understanding of the health and life-sciences landscape and I am pleased I will be still be contributing personally as an economist to on-going projects.”

OHE Consultancy was set up in 2002 as an offshoot of the 50-year old OHE, which is funded by research grants and consultancy revenues from sources such as the ABPI, Department of Health, National Institute of Health Research and Medical Research Council.