LONDON — AstraZeneca has hired Jennie Younger to lead global corporate affairs, following the departure of Caroline Hempstead to LafargeHolcim last year.

Younger arrives from FTI Consulting in London, where she spent the last three years as senior MD and partner. Her move to AstraZeneca marks a return to the in-house side of the ranks, after previously holding senior communications roles at Deutsche Bank, GSK and British Gas.

At AstraZeneca, Younger takes on responsibility for all internal and external communications and government relations across the business, based at its global HQ in Cambridge (pictured). She succeeds Hempstead, who was appointed as head of communication, public affairs and sustainable development at LafargeHolcim last December.

In the interim, AstraZeneca's corporate affairs function has been led by North American corporate affairs lead Rich Buckley. The company also recently hired ex-Microsoft UK head of PR Ali Perkins as global head of communications for its R&D units.

"I’m pleased to welcome Jennie to AstraZeneca at this important time for our company," said AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot. "Jennie brings extensive communications and investor relations expertise that will reinforce our strategic progress with key stakeholders."