Anna Korving (pictured above), co-founder of Resolute (now Publicis Resolute) and former Chair of Hanover Health, is stepping down as Chair of the Communiqué Awards judging panel.
After spending four years serving in this role, Korving’s next venture will see her continue to head up WHAM – Women in Health Agency Management – a networking group she founded back in 2015.
Korving is also developing a portfolio of business consultancies and acts as a mentor to a number of senior-level individuals within the industry.
She said: “It’s been a huge honour and privilege to chair the judging at the Communiqué Awards for the past four years.
“I’d been involved with Communiqué almost from the very beginning, but it’s very different knowing that you are responsible for making sure that the Awards remain at the forefront of the industry, representing the best work, teams and individuals across the whole of the health spectrum.”
The Awards celebrated its 20th anniversary last year, and Korving revealed that the celebration was a particular highlight during her time as chair.
She said: “Marking 20 years of the Communique Awards was quite something, especially after having attended the very first Awards presentation as a relatively new account director. I never dreamed then that I would be in the privileged position of chairing the judging.”
The role as chair culminates each year at the Awards, which are held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London.
The night is spent recognising and celebrating the very best work in healthcare communications. Before this however, the Communiqué judges are tasked with the job of strategically evaluating entries, which are then discussed at the judging days.
Korving said: “Judging days are really special, and I know I’ve said this before, but they are probably my favourite days of the year, because you get to step away from the job and re-focus in a very different way, getting underneath the skin of those two-page entries to identify what great work looks like.
“People are very passionate and so keen to get it right – this whole idea of the spirit of Communiqué comes to the fore and I absolutely love it.
“I always come away from both judging days feeling awed by the standard of work and the incredibly talented people we have in our industry.”
Taking the reins from Korving are incoming co-chairs Annabelle Sandeman and Louise Dunn, both of whom have been regular Communiqué judges.
Sandeman (pictured above) is currently Chief Commercial Officer at healthcare communications and consulting group Huntsworth Health, a role in which she has served for just over three years.
She has held many positions there during her tenure, including roles in its advertising, medical and PR agencies, which will serve well in the multidisciplinary aspect of the awards.
Prior to her career with Huntsworth, Sandeman served on the industry side, at Abbott Laboratories, now AbbVie.
She said: “Having been in healthcare comms, both on client and agency side for over 20 years, it’s evident that what we do every day has such a positive impact on the companies we work for and the patients we serve.
“What I have enjoyed in the recent years of my judging role is the increase in measurement capabilities and the digital solutions, both internally and externally, allow us to reach more audiences and more geographies.
“We do great work and we should be proud of it. This is what the Communiqué Awards are all about.”
Joining Sandeman as co-chair is Louise Dunn (pictured above), a communications consultant and postgraduate researcher into the public understanding of science.
Dunn leverages over 25 years of varied healthcare experience working for agencies, the NHS and pharmaceutical companies including AstraZeneca and GlaxoSmithKline.
Commenting on her new responsibility, Dunn said: “Co-chairing Communiqué is going to be a brilliant, privileged peek into the best work in our industry.
“I’m looking forward to working with my co-chair Annabelle, a great team of judges and the team at PMGroup; then reading all the entries and seeing what great work is going on out there and finding out more about the talented people doing that work; and finally – of course – the night itself is always a wonderful celebration and an opportunity to catch up with colleagues.”
Co-chairing will be no easy ride adds Dunn, noting that the judges have quite a task in deciding on winning entries.
She said: “It can be like comparing apples and oranges, given the diversity of programmes in the industry these days and an ever-evolving healthcare environment.
“Everyone involved in these awards is passionate about them, and the stakes are high so a certain amount of objective mediation may be required from Annabelle and me to facilitate an orderly process of decision-making.”
Sandeman and Dunn will start their new positions in time for the 2019 Communiqué Awards launch.
Debbie Tuesley, Events Manager and Communiqué Awards lead at PMGroup, said: “Anna has been an excellent chair over the past four years, and she has been a true mentor and pleasure to work with. I’ve learnt a lot.
“Looking forward to 2019, I am excited to be working with Annabelle and Louise and further developing the awards with them.”