Nicola Burns and Laura Brown.
Laura has over 15 years’ event experience including seven years working with pharmaceutical and life science clients at Ashfield Meetings & Events.
Ashfield Meetings & Events, healthcare event management specialist, announced the key appointment of Laura Brown to the board of directors as Senior Vice President of Operations. The appointment will take effect from 1st October 2016.
Laura has over 15 years’ event experience including seven years working with pharmaceutical and life science clients at Ashfield Meetings & Events. During her career with the agency, she has held various positions including operational, account management, training and business development roles. In this time Laura has worked with pharmaceutical, medical devices, diagnostic, nutritional health, biotech and association clients.
Laura’s appointment follows her move in February 2015 from the agencies European Hub in the UK as an Account Director to their U.S. hub office in Ivyland, Pennsylvania, as Vice President of Operations. Since her move from the UK Laura has had responsibility for the performance of the different operational business units across Ivyland (Pennsylvania), Indianapolis (Indiana) and San Bruno (California). In this time the business has grown from 80 to 120 full-time employees and this has been aligned with the implementation of new learning and development initiatives and enhanced quality framework procedures to strengthen the foundation for future growth.
The full Ashfield Meetings & Events Board line up is now Nicola Burns (Global Managing Director), Gavin Houston (CEO Americas), Penny Callaghan (Director of Group Business Services), Jo Brook (Engagement Director) and Laura Brown (SVP Operations).
Laura commented on her appointment: “With a number of new staff appointments over the past year and numerous new business wins I am thrilled to take on the responsilbility of SVP Operations at such an exciting time. I have been working very closely with Gavin (Houston) for the past 12 months with a focus on leading sustainable growth to our US operations. I am looking forward to this continuing and working alongside the rest of the board to ensure we deliver against the strategic and operational plans for the global business.”
Nicola Burns (Global Managing Director) commented: “We are delighted to be making this appointment. Laura has been working closely with the management team to develop our US business to a market leading position and prepare us for the next stage of our predicted growth. Laura’s remit will be to continue to expand and enhance the services we offer and oversee the delivery throughout the U.S. With her full service background and creative and production knowledge we have already seen a growing frequency of the agency’s U.S. client base to utilise our engagement services.”
Burns concluded: “In the last 12 months the U.S. operations have won over 10 new business wins including dedicated client teams and strategic meeting management programmes. The appointment of a second board director in the U.S. is an indication of our strategic intent in the marketplace. We are looking forward to seeing the continued growth of the business under both Gavin and Laura’s leadership.”
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