ABPI’s Aileen Thompson is crowned Healthcare Communiquétor 2018

The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry’s (ABPI) executive director of communications Aileen Thompson picked up the prestigious Healthcare Communiquétor trophy at the 2018 Communiqué Awards last week.

The prize is awarded to individuals who have contributed to the healthcare communications sector, working in either industry or agency-side.

Thompson advises the ABPI’s board of management and senior leadership team on all communications and engagement operations, and heads up a team responsible for engaging with government, media, patient groups and the wider healthcare community.

Beginning her career in PR agencies including Burson-Marsteller and Weber Shandwick, Thompson went on to work in senior executive roles for companies such as Kellogg’s Europe, Vodafone and Innovate UK.

Her day-to-day role however, includes securing industry and stakeholder partnership, ensuring that patients across the UK can access medicines.

In the nomination for the award, Thompson was praised for guiding the UK’s pharmaceutical industry through a particularly challenging time, with Brexit being named as one notable example.

The Communiqué judges said: “Aileen has led the primary pharma trade organisation through a huge period of change and challenge, ultimately positioning it positively for the good it does.

“She is an inspirational leader and one the best known names in pharma comms.”

Young Achiever in Healthcare Communications

Another noteworthy winner of the night was 90TEN’s Jenny Squibbs (pictured above, right) who took home the Young Achiever in Healthcare Communications prize in recognition of her ability to lead a team and her commitment to clients.

There was also praise for her unwavering commitment along with her bold communication strategies that resulted in behaviour change.

In particular, the Communiqué judges were impressed by Squibbs’ role in evolving the agency’s evidence-based methodology FEEL-THINK-DO, a behaviour change offering which is now applied to every communications challenge 90TEN is presented with.

The Communiqué judges said: “Jenny conducted an articulate and engaging presentation, exuding confidence while remaining approachable."

They concluded: “Jenny is inspiring, well-trusted and she has had a massive impact within her team, making her an impressive candidate and a very worthy winner.”

Squibbs beat out competition from three of her contemporaries, James Addicott from Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Shaun Beedle from Edelman and Joanne Hart from Biosector 2 – all of whom were recognised as finalists in this category.