Merck KGaA appoints Isabel De Paoli as communications head

Merck KGaA has picked a new head of group communications to take over from Walter Huber, who is set to retire next March after 18 years in the role.

Isabel De Paoli (pictured) is currently head of group strategy at the German life sciences, health and materials company and will officially step into her new role when Huber's tenure ends.

Until then she will spend her time preparing for her new role and Heiko Schön has taken over from her as head of group strategy at Merck.

In her new role, De Paoli will be responsible for all global communications at Merck.

Karl-Ludwig Kley, chairman of Merck's executive board, said: “Isabel De Paoli brings many years of experience in shaping and implementing strategic topics as well as an international background - capabilities that are becoming ever more important in a rapidly changing communications environment.”

De Paoli joined Merck in August 2006 as business development manager, chemicals, was appointed head of strategic planning oncology in 2009 and in 2012 took on responsibility for group strategy.

Prior to joining Merck she began her career as a consultant, working for The Boston Consulting Group and then moving to private equity firm Permira.