Athena Medical PR

Cherry Wood, Managing Director
Jennifer Wilson, Director International Business
Sharon Poole, Director of Meetings and Events

Athena brings together a diverse pool of PR professionals with backgrounds in the pharmaceutical industry, bioscience, pharmacy, the NHS, journalism, PR and marketing. Several of the agency's senior staff have worked both in agency and in-house and provide considered PR counsel along with first hand experience of the challenges and issues our clients face.

Cherry Wood, Managing Director Cherry Wood is the 2007 Communiquétor of the Year. - Back to top

Over 17 years Cherry has developed a wealth of experience in all aspects of healthcare PR across both ethical and OTC products and in a wide range of disease areas.

After spending her early career in agencies, Cherry moved over to the pharmaceutical industry in 1994 when she joined Zeneca Pharma (UK) to set up its first in-house PR department. Over a three year period of intense activity Cherry oversaw eight new product launches and several line extensions of major brands.

At the end of 1997, Cherry created Athena Medical PR which has seen tremendous year on year growth and is one of the most successful specialist healthcare PR agencies in the UK. Cherry is also a founder member and ex-committee member of the Healthcare Communications Association (HCA), a not for profit organisation which promotes excellence in healthcare PR and medical education.

Jennifer Wilson, Director International Business Unit Previously an international communications manager for Roche, Jennifer Wilson joined Athena Medical PR in 2007 specifically to head up the company’s International Business Unit. - Back to top

With over 18 years experience in both international and local company roles within the pharmaceutical industry, Jennifer has built up experience across a wide range of disease areas including: autoimmune diseases particularly rheumatoid arthritis; HIV; obesity; cardiology; oncology; and asthma. Implementing campaigns in these areas she has established and maintained productive relationships with many third party organisations, built impressive advocacy development skills and attained a thorough knowledge of running pan-European media campaigns.

As a senior communications professional, Jennifer has been involved in all aspects of communications both external and internal, extending her skills set beyond the average. Her extensive experience in initiating and developing international communications programmes gives her a thorough insight into the needs of Athena’s international clients and enables her to provide outstanding strategic counsel.

Sharon Poole, Director of Meetings and Events Sharon Poole has worked at Athena for nine years and has been integral to the creation and development of Athena Meetings and Events a division of Athena Medical Education. - Back to top

Sharon has more than 20 years experience of conference and event management. She plans and manages satellite symposia, major international conferences, stand-alone meetings, speaker faculties, award ceremonies and sales conferences. Her outstanding negotiation skills and wealth of contacts in the hotel industry worldwide ensure that Athena’s clients are offered the best venues at the best rates. Sharon’s interpersonal skills have also been fundamental when working with world class speakers such as Nobel Prize Winner, Louis Ignarro, Sir Rannulph Fiennes and the late Mo Mowlam.