David Hunt takes up new US role at Havas Health & You

Havas Lynx Group’s CEO David Hunt is moving from the UK to the US to oversee the strategic expansion of Havas Health & You (HH&Y) on the West Coast.

Hunt has led Havas Lynx since 2013 and spent 15 years with the healthcare communications agency, during which time it went from being a small creative agency in the Northern Quarter of Manchester to a globally-recognised healthcare communications specialist.

It now employs some 400 people and works with a number of major pharmaceutical companies, including AstraZeneca, Janssen, Teva, Sanofi Genzyme and Novartis. Formerly known as Creative Lynx, the agency was acquired in 2012 by Havas, which is itself now part of the Vivendi Group.

Commenting on his move stateside, Hunt said: “This is an exciting opportunity for me to test myself on a new stage, while continuing to inspire the best creative talent from around the world to use ideas and communications to improve patient lives.

“The last eight years with Havas have been fantastic. I am delighted to commit my long-term future to help drive Havas Health & You’s strategic growth along the West Coast. The West Coast offers immediate and long-term opportunities for the business and we have a very talented team of people in San Francisco that I’m looking forward to working with and supporting.”

In his new role as HH&Y's CEO - West, Hunt will support its San Francisco team and manage the agency’s key regional clients, while also launching a new offering for the network in Los Angeles and driving greater collaboration across the wider Vivendi group.

Donna Murphy, global CEO Havas Health & You, said: “Under David’s leadership as CEO, Havas Lynx Group has quadrupled in size and won Healthcare Agency of the Year at last year’s Cannes Lions. His team’s pioneering work has also been instrumental in the network’s growth and helping to enhance the HH&Y brand. He’s the natural choice to come in and drive our expansion on the West Coast.”

New leadership for the Havas Lynx Group

Meanwhile, Elizabeth Egan has been promoted to president of the Havas Lynx Group from her previous role as managing director of Havas Lynx London.

She joined the network 12 months ago after holding global leadership roles at AstraZeneca and Weight Watchers and has since played a key role in the growth of Havas Lynx London, the group said.