Ketchum hires Con Franklin as London healthcare MD

Con Franklin has joined communications consultancy Ketchum as its managing director of healthcare in London.

He joins the Omnicom agency from FTI, where he most recently served as managing director of health and life sciences, and in his new role will be responsible for growing and shaping the firm’s healthcare offering, providing senior counsel to clients and developing new talent.

Franklin said: “The global healthcare environment is in a constant state of change as organisations seek to innovate and bring solutions to patients based on sustainable outcomes and value ‘beyond the product’.

“Ketchum brings a powerful blend of deep sector knowledge, data-backed insight and creativity to help its clients thrive in this fast-moving sector. I’m thrilled to be joining the team and look forward to helping build on such an enviable track record.”

He brings to Ketchum more than 18 years of first-hand communications experience from across the global pharmaceutical and med tech industries, including stints with MHP Communications and Fleishman-Hillard.

Jo-ann Robertson, partner and CEO at Ketchum London, said: “Healthcare is an integral part of our ‘One London’ approach, and I’m excited that a passionate communicator like Con will be leading this offering.

“This is an exciting time for our growing healthcare team, and I’m positive that Con’s experience and trusted counsel will be invaluable to our clients.”

Franklin succeeds Kate Paxton at the PR agency, who recently returned to Ketchum’s Washington, D.C. offices after an 18-month rotation as managing director of healthcare in London.