As we close out our Diversity and Inclusion learning fortnight, I have never been prouder of the people I work with. Beyond the 903 hours of collective learning we did together, most importantly we showed each other that we do care about the whole person, not just the role they play alongside us as colleagues. I have been overwhelmed by some beautiful acts of listening, thoughtfulness, inclusion and kindness our team has shown each other through the fortnight. It is by far one of my career highlights and I have learnt so much – some things that stood out for me:

• Knowing is not understanding. I went into this fortnight feeling fairly well educated but quickly realised there is a big difference between knowing something and really understanding it. I realise I have a way to go to really understanding many of the topics we covered and this is just the start
• The opportunity for my own self-reflection about my racial identity as part of sharing my experience in the panel discussion and how grateful I was to my colleagues who generously shared theirs
• Samantha Renke’s view that actually she wasn’t disabled but the world around her was disabling, really brought into focus the real degree to which society and quite frankly the constructs of the world around us all need to change to truly to be inclusive
• My responsibility to create an inclusive workplace starts outside the walls, it starts at home with my children. The work shared by Magda from Woke Babies is so vital.
• The inclusive leadership session brilliantly bought into focus the opportunity that the pandemic has given us to build back our workplace better than before and this means we need the lens of inclusivity to be cast over every aspect of our hybrid work planning
• The incredibly powerful role we have as communicators and for the global brands we work on to actually influence and change perspective and behaviour on a huge scale

Our goal is for diversity and inclusion to become simply part of “how we do things” at Golin and Virgo, from our culture, processes and our work.

There will be challenges as we turn the flashlight on ourselves and increase our accountability, but it will make us better, closer, stronger and help us produce even better work.

So, this is just the beginning.

We are delighted to announce the senior appointments of Amanda Moulson as Executive Director and Gregor Fyfe as Senior Scientific Director.

Amanda will be responsible for leading two of the agencies key accounts that will capitalise on her excellent corporate communications, narrative development and patient engagement expertise. She will also play an important role on Virgo’s leadership team.

Amanda has worked in healthcare communications for more than 20 years bringing enormous pan-European and global experience as a strategic advisor in the healthcare and wellbeing sectors. She has worked with companies of every size, from start-up to multinationals, supporting brands and innovations across oncology, infectious disease, rare disease, reproductive health, diagnostics, gut health and more.

Gregor Fyfe Phd joins Virgo Health as Senior Scientific Director building on the senior expertise in our growing medical education team. Gregor comes to Virgo Health from Ashfield Health and has previous experience both in medical research and medical education, working in areas such as CV disease, biosimilars, actinic keratosis and psoriasis on a wide variety of projects across the med comms spectrum.

“It is a pleasure to be working with such exceptional healthcare communicators as both Amanda and Gregor, they both bring so much expertise we couldn’t be happier that they have decided to come on board. Amanda has led some incredibly meaningful campaigns such as working to increase HIV/AIDS awareness and testing among African Americans and encouraging mothers to recognise the early signs of autism, while Gregor brings a wealth of experience to the medical education team, which will no doubt positively impact both our client work and team growth and development,” said Sarah Gordon, Virgo Health Head of Health.

“What struck me immediately about Virgo was its culture – one where welcoming and supportive teams embrace and rally around new challenges with really clever thinking.  That sense of humanity and inventiveness comes through in everything we do – and I’m proud to work for a team that I can see making meaningful change happen,’ added Amanda Moulson.

“The opportunity to join an innovative and people-focused organization like Virgo Health truly excited me. Virgo Health are passionate about making a positive impact on patients’ lives and I’m looking forward to working with so many like-minded others to deliver on that,” added Gregor Fyfe.

We are thrilled to announce that Sarah Gordon is promoted to the newly-created role of Head of Health.  In this new role, Sarah will be responsible for continuing to grow and develop the business through nurturing talent and constantly evolving and enhancing offerings and services to meet the transforming needs of clients. The role will report into Group Managing Director, Ondine Whittington, and work closely with the rest of the Virgo Health senior leadership team.

Sarah has been with the agency since 2018, and over that time Virgo London has transformed its business model; integrating further into the Golin Group and IPG network to benefit from deeper specialist capabilities and partners, including that of earned-first advertising agency The Brooklyn Brothers.

“Sarah brings a passion and pursuit of excellence that is inspiring to all those that work with her. We have big ambitions for Virgo and Sarah’s extensive expertise and experience of running integrated global communications campaigns has been fundamental to establishing Virgo London as a hub within the network for Global pharma work . This has already culminated in significant recent new business wins across CKD, neuroscience and metabolic disease,” said Ondine Whittington, Group Managing Director, Virgo Health and Golin.

With a particular niche and passion for scientific strategy and storytelling, Sarah has more than 20 years’ experience in healthcare communications working with the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies and healthcare organisations across public relations, issues management, advertising and medical education.

“Virgo Health has thrived with the opportunities offered by integration into Golin and IPG, this is an exciting time to be here and to be continuing the momentum of our success.  It is a privilege to take on this role and to work with such an exceptional team that continues to deliver excellent work with a brilliant Virgo team spirit,” said Sarah Gordon.

Huge congratulations Sarah!

Since March 2020, over one in five (21%) women have deprioritised their breast health, and a fifth (20%) of women under 45 would be unlikely to visit a doctor if they noticed any unusual changes to their breasts. 43% of women were less likely to share breast health concerns.

This Breast Cancer Awareness month, The Estée Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Campaign UK & Ireland is launching its Time To Unite live virtual self-check event on 21^st October at 7pm to reprioritise breast health during the pandemic and to unite everyone in their mission to create a breast cancer-free world.

The event, created with agency partner Virgo Health, aims to connect, unite and empower people of all ages in the united efforts to end breast cancer. Alesha Dixon will join forces with Global Ambassador of The Estée Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Campaign, Elizabeth Hurley to host the event. They will be joined by an inspirational panel of Breast Cancer survivors and women who are passionate about raising awareness about the importance of self-checking. Guests include Dr Zoe Williams, Leanne Pero, Lauren Mahon, Kris Hallenga, Sebina Hussain and Helen Addis who will be speaking honestly and openly about their stories and experience. The event hopes to be the largest ever live self-check (cameras off!).

Alesha Dixon, Artist and TV Personality said: “I am thrilled to be partnering with The Estée Lauder Companies UK & Ireland for its Breast Cancer Campaign this year. Feeling connected has never been more important, and I think the concept of uniting everyone across the nation and beyond via this live Time To Unite self-check is so powerful. I know many women who have been impacted by this terrible disease, so I would urge as many people as possible to join us, and spread the word with their friends, mums, aunties, sisters, brothers, nieces and nephews! Breast cancer is something we all need to be talking about and aware of, so that together we can end it.”

“For 28 years, The Estée Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Campaign has been dedicated to creating a world without breast cancer and our commitment is stronger than ever. This year, we have a renewed sense of unity and want to empower people, share inspirational stories and encourage everyone to come together and take part in our live event. Now more than ever, The Estée Lauder Companies champions the wellbeing of the breast cancer community and will continue to drive funds and inspire action,” said Anna Bartle, Vice President Corporate Affairs, The Estée Lauder Companies UK & Ireland.

“The Breast Cancer Campaign feels more important than ever before in the current climate. Time to Unite is about ensuring people from all backgrounds feel connected and are prioritising their breast health despite the coronavirus pandemic. With our live virtual self-check and panel event we are bringing fresh and unheard voices into this year’s campaign, to raise awareness among and engage with new audiences,” added Natasha Weeks, Executive Director, Virgo Health.

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK, with an average of approximately 150 cases diagnosed every day.^1,2,3,4 Early detection is critical to breast cancer survival rates. The Breast Cancer Campaign has raised more than $89 million globally for lifesaving research, education, and medical services, with more than $73 million funding 293 medical research grants through the Breast Cancer Research Foundation® (BCRF). It’s #TimeToEndBreastCancer.

To attend, please go to timetoendbreastcancer.co.uk on 21^st October 2020 at 7pm. No registration required, and no personal information taken.

THE FULL PANEL INCLUDES:

• Host: Artist, TV Personality – Alesha Dixon
• Senior Vice President & General Manger of The Estée Lauder Companies UK & Ireland – Sue Fox
• Global Ambassador of The Estée Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Campaign, Elizabeth Hurley
• GP, supporter of Breast Cancer Campaign and ‘self-check’ demonstrator – Dr Zoe Williams
• Entrepreneur, breast cancer survivor and founder of ‘Black Women Rising’ – Leanne Pero
• Cancer campaigner and presenter of ‘You, Me and The Big C’ – Lauren Mahon
• Founder of breast cancer awareness charity CoppaFeel!- Kris Hallenga
• Breast cancer survivor and founder of ‘Change and Check’ campaign – Helen Addis
• Digital Content Creator & Consultant – Sebina Hussain