LONDON—Sainsbury's Alex Cole is joining Bupa as the healthcare company's new corporate affairs head.

Cole succeeds Steve John, who has left Bupa to become global director of communications at McKinsey & Company, as revealed by the Holmes Report last month.

She departs Sainsbury's after two years in charge of corporate responsibility and communications. Previously, Cole was corporate MD at Freud Communications, which she joined following a three-year stint as Cadbury's global corporate affairs director.

Cole will join Bupa's executive team, reporting to CEO Stuart Fletcher. She takes on responsibility for the company’s media relations, internal communications, sustainability, government affairs and financial communications worldwide.

“Alex brings fabulous experience and capability to our team, and will be a great cultural fit," said Fletcher. "I know she’ll make a big contribution to our success over the coming years."