Roche names head of European comms

Roche has appointed its first head of communications for Europe.

Susie Hackett – previously UK director of communications – is the first to hold the new role. She has been with Roche for 13 years.

Hackett, whose UK role has been taken by former head of public affairs James Woodhouse, will oversee strengthening communications co-ordination across European markets, Roche said.

Her first priority, she said, would be to build an internal information flow across Europe. “Leading comms internally with the regional management teams and finding what elements unify us will be key."

Roche has not previously had a European communications team. Hackett told PMLiVE:  “My aim is to develop a European network of Communicators from the affiliates.”

Her new position was created, she added, 'to develop internal and external communications strategies to support the region to ensure that pan-European needs were addressed'.

Recruitment is currently under way for a similar role covering Asia, while the UK team is in the process of recruiting to fill the head of public affairs role, Hackett said.  She will remain UK-based, with regular trips to corporate headquarters in Basel and other European destinations.