Prism Ideas, a leading independent provider of medical communications and drug development consultancy services, today announced that the company has appointed Carol Hills as chief operations officer (COO) following a successful two-year period as the company's director of medical marketing. The new position will focus on the day-to-day management of the business as part of Prism's continuing strategy for growth which has also seen five other new members of staff join the team over the past two months. The new appointments will assist the company as it expands into new regions including the opening of a US office.

Hills has more than 20 years' experience in the pharmaceutical and medical communications industries and joined Prism Ideas in 2009. After gaining a degree in Natural Sciences from the University of Cambridge she spent eight years in preclinical research at Glaxo Group Research, where she completed a PhD in receptor pharmacology. Making the move to medical communications, Hills led the development and delivery of the communications strategy and plan for a major oncology brand at AstraZeneca. As COO of Prism, Hills will work to ensure the infrastructure of the business is in place for the company's ongoing development while continuing to deliver excellent quality and service to customers.

Prism Ideas represents the highest standards in scientific service provision for the pharmaceutical industry in the areas of drug development and medical marketing. Established in 2001, the company offers its customers a wide breadth of services covering clinical programme consultancy, clinical trial support and medical marketing, and has delivered projects for a global client base of leading pharmaceutical companies. Prism celebrates its 10^th anniversary in 2011 and now has two offices in the UK and Switzerland, as well as plans to expand to the US.

In addition to the appointment of Hills as COO, Prism has recruited Doug Wright as head of client services, Tracy Cooper as account director, Mark Nelson as medical editor, Danielle Turner as senior medical writer and Kelly Farrell as trainee medical writer.

"I am delighted to be appointed as COO and to be part of Prism at such an important time in the company's growth", says Carol Hills. "I am looking forward to creating an environment where our growing team can provide our clients with the excellence they expect from us, enjoy their work and continue to make Prism a success."

Nigel Brooksby, non-executive chairman at Prism Ideas, comments: "Carol has played a pivotal role in the company's development over the past two years and I am delighted that she will now be taking on the role of COO. Prism's expert team is the foundation of the company and the new appointments will ensure the infrastructure is in place for us to progress with our growth strategy and develop broader services for clients."

For further information about Prism Ideas, please call +44 (0) 1270 621 724 or visit www.prismideas.com