Burson-Marsteller hires senior DH press officer

Former Department of Health (DH) press officer Judith Moore has joined Burson-Marsteller's (BM) London healthcare team, headed by Kate Hawker.

"There are few people better placed than Judith to offer strategic communications advice on health issues," said Hawker.

"She has been at the sharp end of handling many of the major health stories of recent years.

"Her experience of delivering a message through a wide range of channels, crisis management skills and her unrivalled knowledge of the UK health media means she will be a superb addition to the team."

In her previous role, Moore worked with both public health ministers and the chief medical officer, developing proactive and reactive communications strategies for issues including immunisation, genetics, obesity and alcohol.

She also led the government's response on the swine flu pandemic and cancer care reform.

Prior to the DH, she worked with the Home Office, where she helped devise media strategies on a new mental health bill, the first child sex offender strategy and the use of DNA technology to bring cold case rape offenders to justice.

In addition, she has held communications roles at University College London, Imperial College London and Queensland University of Technology in Australia.

Commenting on her appointment, Moore said: "I spoke to a number of agencies about making the move from government, but it was Kate at Burson-Marsteller who really impressed me with her ambitions for the healthcare practice.

"It's an exciting time to be joining the team and I welcome the opportunity to work at an agency with such a strong EMEA and global footprint in health."