Springer Nature has created a new Policy & External Relations team as well as a combined Communications team to work in the recently-merged organisation. The two teams have global responsibility and will be led by Eric Merkel-Sobotta and Joyce Lorigan respectively. Both will report to Derk Haank, CEO of Springer Nature.
Springer Nature was formed in May 2015 from the merger of the majority of Macmillan Science and Education with Springer Science+Business Media. The expertise and experience in the former Springer and Macmillan communications teams presents the opportunity to create industry-leading centres in the two areas of policy and communications, who will contribute to Springer Nature's goal of serving a wide range of stakeholders and helping them to discover more.
The Policy & External Relations team will have responsibility for policy and public affairs, sponsorship, corporate social responsibility and government and industry relations. The team will ensure that Springer Nature's policy interests in its three publishing areas of science, education and professional are represented and protected. Annika Dirks, Director Public Affairs, and Ruth Francis, Manager Policy & External Relations, will report directly to Eric Merkel-Sobotta.
The Communications team will set the global communications strategy for Springer Nature, with hubs in the USA, China and Europe. Its remit will include brand strategy and management; corporate communications, internal communications, digital communications strategy and channels management. This 40 strong team will report directly to Joyce Lorigan in her new role as EVP Communications.
