LONDON and NEW YORK, March 9, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- McCann Health, one of the most awarded professional and consumer health & wellness global communications networks and part of McCann Worldgroup, announced today the promotion of Charlie Buckwell to President, Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA). Buckwell succeeds Michel Nakache, who is promoted to the newly created role of President, Global Clients Unit. Buckwell will continue to oversee McCann Complete Medical.

In addition, Simon Holt is appointed to the newly created position of Chief Business Strategy Officer. Holt, who joins the company from Novartis International, where he was Global Head Public Policy, will also assume leadership of McCann Health's Double Helix Consulting & Double Helix Discovery units, succeeding Charlie Buckwell.

In making the announcement, McCann Health Global CEO, John Cahill said, "As the future becomes more complex and the healthcare industries continue to move through massive transformation, McCann Health is sharpening its focus on delivering more powerful, creatively-driven and integrated solutions to help our clients' brands and businesses play a more meaningful role in people's lives."

Cahill added, "With Charlie's more than two decades of biopharmaceutical marketing and communication experience and his success in leading McCann Complete Medical (MCM) and Double Helix, he is well-positioned to further our growth and geographic reach in EMEA and help us to integrate MCM capabilities on a global scale.

"Michel has had great success in building our global business in Europe, providing clients with customized multi market solutions, he will now extend this expertise across all of McCann Health and our clients," Cahill continued. "Simon, who has a deep knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry gained from a career in senior leadership roles in both management consulting and the pharma industry, he will play a key role as we evolve the McCann Health offering to meet and exceed the needs of our clients in the future."

Buckwell and Nakache will continue to be based in the UK and France respectively. Holt will be based in UK and supported in his new role by Suzie Denton, Global Head of Double Helix Consulting and Fabrice Allum, Managing Director, Double Helix Discovery.

At Novartis, Holt previously served as VP, Global Head Health Economics Outcomes Research and VP, Global Head of Market Access in Basel, Switzerland. Prior to that he was Senior Client Partner at Korn/ Ferry in London, VP, EMEA consulting & services at IMS Health and Principal at AT Kearney Management Consulting, and F Hoffman La Roche (now Roche).

About McCann Health

Comprising the world's most connected community of health and wellness experts, McCann Health (www.mccannhealth.com) is the most awarded professional and consumer health communications network with the largest international expertise spanning 20 countries and 60 offices. McCann Health consists of three strong marketing communications global networks: McCann Torre Lazur, McCann Healthcare (professional) and McCann HumanCare (consumer health & wellness). Specialty units include McCann Echo (professional), McCann Global Health (public health), McCann Pharmacy Initiative, McCann Managed Markets, McCann Complete Medical, and Double Helix (market access, medical communications, strategic consultancy & research). McCann Health is a part of McCann Worldgroup and the Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG).

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SOURCE McCann Health