LONDON — Zeno Group has appointed Avril Lee to the newly-created role of head of healthcare for the UK and Europe, as part of a move to strengthen its international health capabilities.

Lee joins 3MZ from The Red Consultancy, where she had been head of health since 2019, and was previously deputy chair of Burson-Marsteller’s global healthcare practice. She has also held senior healthcare roles at agencies including MSL and Ketchum, and has worked with clients including Bayer, Amgen and AbbVie.

Based at 3 Monkeys Zeno in London, Lee will focus on expanding Zeno’s healthcare work in the UK, France and Germany. In addition, she will oversee several of Zeno’s existing health clients including AstraZeneca, Hologic and NSF International.

Lee told PRovoke Media: “I was really impressed with Zeno, they are smart people with real energy and ambition to build the network out in Europe, particularly in healthcare. Barby [Siegel, Zeno’s CEO] is totally committed, and the growth and creative work is impressive; it struck me as an agency where I can do great international work.”

Her priorities in the new role, she said, were to “join the dots” between the healthcare work and clients in New York, France, the UK and Germany: “In a nearly-post-pandemic world, we’ve seen the importance of not just messaging but ensuring audience understanding, and content that is relevant, right and engaging. I’ll be seeing where we can grow the client base, bring new services and partnerships, and use a greater mix of channels.”

In addition, Lee will be working on D&I initiatives within Zeno: she is the chair of the CIPR’s D&I Network, which recently released its Race in PR report.

Lee will report to Ame Wadler, Zeno’s managing director of global health, who said: “Avril is arriving to Zeno at a strategically important time for us and our clients. Healthcare and understanding the power of science is essential to the way businesses, communities and families will return to some normalcy. Avril’s wide-ranging expertise will help clients deliver value to their distinct and varied audiences today while helping them articulate their vision for the future.”