APCO Builds on Health Care Strength

Market Access Expert Joins in London

London (11 January, 2012) – Steve Bates today joins APCO Worldwide as a director in the health care practice, announced Edward Walsh, managing director, Europe. Bates will be based in the London office and will further strengthen APCO’s health care practice, with a particular focus on expanding the company’s work in helping companies navigate medical technology approval and reimbursement issues.

“I am delighted that Steve will be joining our team,” said Walsh. “He brings with him a wealth of expertise, having operated at a senior level both in government and in-house, and our clients will greatly benefit from his counsel. The London office is an international hub for APCO in our expanding global network, and we believe Steve will be an important asset in ensuring our continued growth.”

Prior to joining APCO, Bates spent five years at Genzyme UK and Ireland, most recently as senior director, external affairs and market access. Within this role he helped to develop market access structures in multiple countries and significantly grew the business. Previously, Bates was special advisor to John Reid notably as Home Secretary, Secretary of State for Health, and Defence Secretary. In his time at the Department of Health, Bates helped institute radical legislative and administrative change while managing several crises, such as avian flu and cancelled operations. He was also spokesman for all health care and NHS issues and delivered the legislation that underpinned the NHS plan.

“I am excited to join APCO,” said Bates. “It is a company that I have long admired for its depth of talent and innovative solutions for health care clients. I am particularly looking forward to adding my experience and knowledge of market access to their client offer.”

“We are pleased to welcome Steve to the team,” said Robert Schooling, president, Americas, who leads APCO’s global health care practice. “His expertise in market access issues complements our work in that area and builds on the recent launch of our Health Advisory Board, comprising former chief medical officers, public health leaders, heads of communication of large pharmaceutical and insurance companies and former health policy officials.”

Bates joins other distinguished APCO health care specialists, including: Courtney Piron, former director in the economic and policy research group at Pfizer Inc.; Stig Albinus, former head of public affairs for the Danish Medical Association; Jo Bullen, an accomplished health care policy expert and director in APCO's London office; Tresja Bolt, chair of APCO’s European health care practice; Chrystine Zacherau, a licensed registered nurse and health care research expert who leads APCO Insight’s health care research practice; and Wayne Pines, former associate commissioner of public affairs at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. More information about APCO’s health care services is available here.

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About APCO Worldwide

Founded in 1984, APCO Worldwide is an award-winning, independently owned global communication consultancy with offices in major cities throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., APCO clients include corporations and governments; industry associations and nonprofit organizations; and six of the top 10 companies on the Fortune 500. APCO offers services related to business, industry and finance; media, public opinion and society; and government and public policy. The firm is a majority women-owned business. For more information, please visit www.apcoworldwide.com.