Rebecca Northridge
Zurich
Summary
At Takeda Pharmaceuticals, I spearheaded sustainability and communications across Europe & Canada, aligning with global strategies to enhance corporate reputation and achieve sustainability goals. Recognized for strategic leadership and innovation, I influenced policy and advanced stakeholder engagement, mentoring top talent and driving impactful corporate affairs initiatives.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of Sustainability and Communications, Europe & Canada
Takeda Pharmaceuticals
Zurich
01.2024 - Current
- I am responsible for setting the communications and sustainability agenda for the Europe and Canada region, ensuring alignment with global strategies and objectives
- This involves driving initiatives that reflect our corporate values, enhance brand reputation, and support long-term sustainability goals across local markets
- Lead the development and execution of strategic communications, CSR, and sustainability initiatives across Europe and Canada (37 countries) ensuring alignment with global business objectives and values
- Spearhead corporate sustainability programs, driving initiatives across our strategic pillars Patient – People – Planet to support long-term sustainability goals within the region
- Developed and implemented the region’s CSR strategy, including partnerships with local and international organizations
- Collaborate with executive leadership to define and communicate the company’s sustainability vision and values, both internally and externally, strengthening brand reputation and engagement
- Manage a cross-functional team to deliver integrated communication campaigns that promote corporate values, environmental responsibility, and employee engagement
- Member of the EUCAN Executive Team and responsible for business growth and delivering against the strategy
- Responsible for driving the innovation in sustainability practices and corporate responsibility, identifying emerging trends and opportunities to position the company as a leader in environmental and social responsibility
Head of Communications, Europe & Canada
Takeda Pharmaceuticals
Zurich
11.2023 - Current
- As well as the below I was also joint interim Head of Corporate Affairs while my boss was on extended medical leave from December 2023 – August 2024
- I am a member of the Europe & Canada Executive Team and responsible for advising across all corners of the business
- I was responsible for delivering the communications strategy and vision for Europe & Canada and bringing a united Takeda mindset across communications, working in close partnership with public affairs, policy, and patient advocacy
- I have a sharp focus on executive thought leadership for the President of Europe & Canada that cuts through, enhances Takeda’s reputation and drives impact across key business priorities
- In 2023 I was also identified as one of 20 people out of 15,000 as the top talent within our Global Portfolio Division
- I completed the program on 17 October
- Leadership in matrix organization
- C-suite executive trusted advisor and accountable for thought leadership, cut-through messaging and narrative development
- Therapy Communications Head for priority areas including gastro, rare diseases, neuroscience and hematology
- Corporate Affairs lead connecting communications, public affairs and policy and patient advocacy
- Internal and external stakeholder management and engagement to align efforts across trade associations, NGOs, industry partners and the private sector to drive impact and sustainable change
- Internally: partnering closely with all executives including President of Europe & Canada, Head of HR and the Europe & Canada leadership team, as well as LOC and global colleagues to create a One Takeda voice which drives enhanced corporate reputation
- Influential in trade associations and chairing of EFPIA communications network groups calls
- Part of the working group for World Economic Forum (WEF) health equity program
- Strategy and agenda setting for corporate affairs in Europe & Canada working with country and global colleagues to push the agenda on important topics linked with the sustainability goals, especially when it comes to health equity, sustainability and women and girls in STEM
- Crisis and issues management lead
- Strategic communications both external and internal including social media, thought leadership, traditional media, partner engagement, executive communications, strategic conference panels (including WEF, UNGA and WHA) and keynote addresses
- Training and mentoring in developing a first-class communications function for 40 communications colleagues working across Europe & Canada (my capability building initiative has been leveraged globally for both communications and corporate affairs teams to help building the capabilities across the organization)
- Line manager responsibility for 3 team members
- Creative planning and execution
- Project management focused on enhancing Takeda’s reputation and the company’s Diversity and inclusion agenda
- Partnership engagement to drive corporate reputation across key business priorities
- Internal communications
- Product and pipeline communications and campaigns
Head of Corporate Communications, Europe & Canada
Takeda Pharmaceuticals
Zurich
04.2021 - 11.2023
- I am responsible for driving and setting the communications strategy across the region including leading all C-suite communications and thought leadership, as well as mentoring and developing business leaders and 40+ communicators across the region
- Leadership in matrix organization
- C-suite executive trusted advisor and accountable for thought leadership
- Corporate Affairs lead with a primary focus on communications but leading projects which touch patient advocacy and public affairs
- Media Lead and driving the media agenda for all c-suite leaders
- Stakeholder engagement – partnering closely with all executives including President of Europe & Canada, Head of HR and the Europe & Canada leadership team
- Strategic communications both external and internal including social media, thought leadership, traditional media, partner engagement, executive communications, strategic conference panels (including WEF, UNGA and WHA) and keynote addresses
- Training and mentoring in developing a first-class communications function for 35+ communications colleagues working across Europe & Canada
- Line manager responsibility for 3 team members
- Creative planning and execution
- Influential in trade associations and chairing of EFPIA communications network groups calls
- Project management focused on enhancing Takeda’s reputation and the company’s Diversity and inclusion agenda
- Partnership engagement to drive corporate reputation across key business priorities
- Internal communications
Stakeholder Engagement Lead, Access to Medicines
Takeda Pharmaceuticals
Singapore
09.2019 - 03.2021
- I was responsible for driving the global internal and external stakeholder engagement and communications strategy to broaden access via policy and partnership and enhance standards of care for people globally as well as enhance Takeda’s corporate reputation
- Strategic stakeholder engagement with patient organizations, NGOs, private sector and governments to drive policy advancement and sharping health systems in low and middle income countries
- Program development with partners in low and middle-income countries to broaden access to care and treatment where it is needed the most
- C-suite level thought leadership communications
- Led annual report development for Access to Medicines as well as inputted into Takeda’s Integrated annual report
- Heavily involved in Access to Medicines Index reporting and was part of the team that saw Takeda jump 10 places from 15 to rank 5
- Responsible for driving the strategic communications agenda including securing Takeda’s position in global healthcare events such as the United Nations General Assembly, World Health Association and the annual World Economic Forum meeting in Davos
Director of Communications, Growth & Emerging Markets (GEM BU), Access to Medicines Communications Lead, Asia Pacific Communications Lead
Takeda Pharmaceuticals
Singapore
05.2018 - 09.2019
- I was responsible for developing and driving the external and internal communications strategy for our Access to Medicines activity globally, as well as across the Growth & Emerging Markets and Asia Pacific
- At the center of these approaches is building, protecting and enhancing Takeda’s corporate reputation in a highly regulated environment, highlighting our commitment to patients
- Crisis and issues management at LOC and regional level, advising General Managers on managing complex situations which could affect Takeda’s reputation
- Profiling and brand building for senior leaders including regional President, Global head of Access to Medicines and Area Head for Asia Pacific (internally and externally)
- External stakeholder engagement to tell the Access to Medicines, Asia Pacific and GEM stories and continue to establish Takeda as a truly patient centric, global people driven multi-national company
- Thought leadership development to profile senior leaders and key opinion pieces which continue to elevate and enhance Takeda’s voice in the external environment
- Multi-internal stakeholder collaboration across Takeda globally including across GEM BU, US, Europe, Japan, working closely with colleagues at a global level to deliver on our long-term commitments to establish Takeda as best-in-class from a communications perspective
- Development of internal communications newsletters to enhance the awareness of Access to Medicines, GEM BU and Asia Pacific related activities happening across the business
- Product launch communications
- Governance and policy creation / implementation
- Developing and mentoring the Asia Pacific communications network of 12 colleagues
Communications Business Partner, Emerging Markets
Takeda Pharmaceuticals
04.2016 - 05.2018
- EM President brand building
- Content development and filming for internal Takeda EM channels across newsletters, yammer and myTakeda
- Development and delivery of annual leadership conference
- External media and LinkedIn content development
- Delivery of quarterly Town Halls in Singapore
- Advising and mentoring Area Communications Leads across EM BU to help deliver best in class approaches to communications
01.2007 - 01.2016
- Previous Employment – various PR agency roles across London, Manchester and Hong Kong
Education
BA - French and History
University of Sheffield
06.2007
Diploma - Building and Leading Effective Teams
Colombia Business School
CIM Professional Diploma - Marketing
University College London
Skills
- Corporate reputation building
- Executive thought leadership
- Strategic leadership
- Issues management
- Stakeholder management
- Influence and negotiation
- Public speaking and advocacy
- Innovation and future-focused thinking
- Cultural intelligence
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Talent development and mentorship
Affiliations
- Travelling
- Mentoring
- Helping two little girls see the beauty of the world and understanding anything they want to do is possible
Accomplishments
- Completed Takeda's Global Portfolio Division Development program in October 2024 which selected 20 top talent out of 15,000 as the future leaders of Takeda
Languages
English
First Language
French
Advanced (C1)
C1
Timeline
Head of Sustainability and Communications, Europe & Canada
Takeda Pharmaceuticals
01.2024 - Current
Head of Communications, Europe & Canada
Takeda Pharmaceuticals
11.2023 - Current
Head of Corporate Communications, Europe & Canada
Takeda Pharmaceuticals
04.2021 - 11.2023
Stakeholder Engagement Lead, Access to Medicines
Takeda Pharmaceuticals
09.2019 - 03.2021
Director of Communications, Growth & Emerging Markets (GEM BU), Access to Medicines Communications Lead, Asia Pacific Communications Lead
Takeda Pharmaceuticals
05.2018 - 09.2019
Communications Business Partner, Emerging Markets
Takeda Pharmaceuticals
04.2016 - 05.2018
01.2007 - 01.2016
BA - French and History
University of Sheffield
Diploma - Building and Leading Effective Teams
Colombia Business School
CIM Professional Diploma - Marketing
University College London
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