LONDON—Washington, DC, healthcare specialist JPA Health Communications has appointed Valerie Carter to lead its London office. Carter, who has been with the company since 2011, is a veteran communicator with more than 22 years of experience in global public affairs, advocacy and media relations.

JPA provides health communications for charity, pharmaceutical and medical device clients. The agency is known for its work in influencer relations, a targeted approach to reaching stakeholders who engage others.

Prior to joining JPA in 2011, Carter served as vice president of public affairs at Ricochet PR, where she was responsible for managing and directing all public affairs accounts and projects, with a focus in supporting healthcare organizations.

Carter also spent 15 years at Merck & Co., Inc., where she rose to lead the company’s government affairs communications efforts, with a focus on extensive grassroots legislative action and Political Action Committee programs, as well as lobbying.