Marie Curie has today announced that it is merging its marketing, fundraising, communications, and policy and public affairs departments to create a new directorate.
Jude Bridge has been appointed to lead the new department and will take up the position in the new year. Her exact job title is yet to be confirmed.
Previously, Bridge was global brand director at Mothercare, and has experience in both the charity and commercial sectors.
Marie Curie said creating the new directorate by bringing together its 'external-facing' departments was a key part of its ambitious five-year strategic plan to expand its services and grow.
Bridge has experience working on major brand campaigns including Marks & Spencer's Your M&S, where she was marketing communications director.
She also worked on Save the Children’s No Child Born to Die campaign, where she was marketing and communications director between 2010 and 2012.
Marie Curie is in the process of rebranding to make the charity better known and understood.
Jane Collins, chief executive at Marie Curie said: “Jude will be joining at an extremely important point in Marie Curie's history.
“Bringing all our public-facing activity under one directorate is key to ensuring we successfully deliver our bold and ambitious strategy. Jude's marketing skills and general management experience gained in both commercial and charitable sectors, will be of immense benefit to Marie Curie.”
As a result of the merger, the posts of director of fundraising and director of communications have been replaced by one divisional director, Marie Curie said.
Fabian French, former director of fundraising at Marie Curie, left the charity at the end of last month.
Chris Dainty, director of comms, will leave at Christmas.
Imelda Redmond, director of policy and public affairs, chose to quit the charity and left last week.
Meredith Niles, Marie Curie's head of fundraising innovation, will be interim director of fundraising until Bridge joins in the new year.
Additional reporting by Kirsty Weakley
