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Four appoints Matt de Gruchy as chief executive of health unit

Four Communications Group (Four), the 300-strong UK and Middle East integrated marketing & communications agency, has appointed Matt de Gruchy as the new chief executive of its health unit, Four Health.

Matt, who joins the agency on 23 February, will take overall responsibility for a 70-plus team which delivers brand strategy, media planning & buying, communications, policy & public affairs, creative and digital campaigns in the UK and internationally.  The unit’s client roster includes 18 of the world’s top 20 pharma companies, OTC companies and public sector organisations.

Matt brings more than 25 years’ experience in integrated communications in the health sector.  He rose to lead Ogilvy Healthworld UK during his 15 year stint at the agency, delivering impressive agency growth during his seven year tenure as CEO.  He then led the integration of PR, advertising and patient engagement agencies into Open Health Patient & Brand Communications before joining Insocius as a senior consultant on global client and management projects.

Einir Williams, Four’s group managing director who has led the recruitment process, said:

“Matt offers that rare mix of incisive strategic thinking for integrated client campaigns, a passionate commitment to developing the teams around him and an incredibly strong track record of building successful businesses.  He will play a critical role in driving forward Four Health during its next phase of growth.”

Matt de Gruchy added:

“I am incredibly excited to be joining the passionate and energetic team at Four Health.  I believe the agency has a unique mix of communication disciplines to facilitate market-leading engagement and cut-through with all critical stakeholders in health and wellness, and I cannot wait to lead this next phase of the agency’s evolution in healthcare.”

As well as leading Four Health, Matt will join Four’s senior leadership team on Four’s Executive Committee which shapes strategy and oversees performance for the group as a whole.

Matt takes over from Emma Statham, who took on the chief executive role for Four Health after completing a successful earn-out with MSA, a health media planning & buying agency which Four acquired in 2015.

Einir Williams commented:

“Emma has been highly successful, both during her earn-out and in the years since, as she led the integration of our health practice.  She has been a valued colleague and we wish her well in her future endeavours.”

For further information please email groupmarketing@fourcommunications.com

Notes to editors

Four is one of the leading independent integrated marketing & communications agencies in the UK and MENA. We offer a truly integrated approach based on our philosophy the power of together with services spanning advertising, digital, social, media planning & buying, marketing, PR, public affairs, events, insights & planning and sponsorship. We have seven core business units: corporate & financial, health, lifestyle, PACE (performance, activation, creative, engagement) property, social purpose and MENA. The company employs more than 300 staff and has offices in London, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Riyadh, Cardiff and Aberystwyth.

Website: www.fourcommunications.com

Twitter: @fourcomms

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