LONDON — Ginny Paton has joined Ogilvy as a managing partner to head up PR and communications in the UK as part of WPP’s dedicated global Walgreens Boots Alliance team.

Paton was most recently a managing partner at Iris, which she joined at the end of 2019, and was also a director at Mischief. She was previously the owner of entertainment and lifestyle agency House PR rebranded from Henry’s House after an MBO, which she sold to W in 2016.

WPP retained the Walgreens Boots Alliance account in October 2020, after a global competitive pitch, with Ogilvy leading PR and communications in the UK. The UK team’s work is focused around Boots and Global Brands, which owns leading beauty brands including No7, Liz Earle and Soap & Glory.

Paton said: “Opportunities like this don’t come across your desk very often. To work on the transformation of a brand like Boots – that everybody knows and loves – is an exciting opportunity.

“Despite its long heritage, Boots has never been more relevant to people’s lives than right now with the role that the retailer is playing in the UK’s fight against COVID. That’s an excellent jumping off point for the next stage in the brand’s transformation.”

Paton reports to Ogilvy’s head of PR and influence, Matt Buchanan, who said: “Ginny is a great talent and we’re delighted to have her join us and lead our team of 25 talented PR, content and influence professionals on Boots and Global Brands.

“Ginny brings with her a wealth of experience working with complex businesses in the retail and health and wellness space. She’s also a collaborative leader, which is very important on an integrated piece of business such as this.”