Mary Smiddy has joined public relations firm Porter Novelli as UK head of health and wellness.
Smiddy joins from Weber Shandwick Australia, where she was a senior VP, and is Porter Novelli’s second major health-related hire this year following the appointment of Paul George as global director of health and wellness.
Her previous experience includes a spell at pharma company GlaxoSmithKline as director of communications for the Middle East and North Africa. She has also worked in this region for both Burson Marsteller and Edelman.
“Mary has an impressive track record in building health care teams in several markets around the world, and brings a wealth of ethical, consumer and animal health care experience to Porter Novelli,” said Sally Ward, senior partner, managing director, Porter Novelli UK “We are excited to welcome her to our team.”
Smiddy said it was an “exciting time” to join Porter Novelli.
“The team has recently expanded its women’s health and respiratory portfolio and I am looking forward to further growing the team and client base,” she said.
“My previous health care practice in Australia remains the most awarded team within the agency, and I expect to mirror that success at Porter Novelli.”