Edelman UK has awarded promotions to members of its senior Healthcare team, with Eleanor Read to lead the practice as Managing Director and Angela Mahaney to become Group Client Director, while Ashlea Reece takes the role of Head of Operations.

The three were appointed to co-lead Edelman's UK healthcare practice almost two years ago, following the departure of the previous managing director, Kate Hawker.

In her new role, Read will lead Edelman UK’s Healthcare team of 50 people. She will be responsible for “expanding and extending” the agency’s approach to integrated healthcare comms.

The new job for Mahaney is in recognition of her leadership of Edelman’s work for AstraZeneca. She will continue to integrate and expand the business across the EMEA region.

Meanwhile, Reece has been asked to ensure the “smooth growth trajectory” of the healthcare practice and work on new ways to attract talent.

Edelman said all three roles were comparable in seniority and that the promotions were a reflection of a “hugely successful” two-year period under their leadership.

During the past two years, the UK healthcare team has produced award-winning work for Novo Nordisk and Takeda, and the period had culminated in the team being awarded 'Best Agency/Pharma comms practice' by PRWeek in February.

Justin Westcott, Edelman's Chief Operating Officer, UK and Ireland, and Head of Technology, EMEA, said: “Angela, Ashlea, and Eleanor… have done amazing work to modernise and diversify our healthcare offer in the UK and we now have some of the most creative and dynamic talent in the industry, delivering award-winning work for our clients.”

Carolyn Paul, EMEA Health Practice Chair, added: “Over the past 18 months we have honed our ability to operate as a fully integrated regional team. Our London healthcare hub has been a hugely important part of this, leading the way as we create and mobilise blended teams to better serve our global clients.”

View the latest career opportunities at Edelman here.

A version of this article first appeared in PRWeek UK.