Claire Gillis is the epitome of a visionary, effective and inspirational leader. Visionary because she pioneered concepts that triggered the biggest change in pharma’s commercial strategy in the last 25 years. Effective because she has a proven track record of organisational growth and societal impact. And inspirational because she’s shaped workplace cultures that have inspired people to chase their dreams, nurturing talent into leadership positions irrespective of their race, gender or other social labels. Her work has also inspired underserved populations to find their voice and challenge disparities in health.
Under Claire’s leadership, VML Health has become the world’s largest and fastest-growing global health network.
- Worldwide revenues reached $500m+ in 2023, following on from significant growth in North America where revenues doubled inside 2 years. In 2022 (as VMLY&R Health), NA revenues rose 23% to $249.9m from $204m (2021). In 2020, they were $112 milliion.
- Led the organisation through the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson, establishing VML Health as the only vertical within VML.
- Set up operations in China, Japan, Australia & NZ, expanding VML Health’s global footprint.
- Established regional hubs within Europe and NA to encourage borderless teams. This, along with open access to the wider VML network, allows VML Health to marry health experience with consumer expertise to create ultra-diverse multidisciplinary teams. Claire’s Follow-the-Sun model gives clients ‘always-on’ access to connected teams who support them irrespective of location and timezone.
- Transformed creativity through a culture of collaboration, where teams co-create with patient communities. This has seen VML Health become one of the most awarded creative agencies in health.
- She is a recognised advocate for women in business (winning international awards). Claire promotes the representation of women in leadership roles and has appointed female CEOs in the UK, Australia and Spain.
- Claire has overseen a different approach to DE&I within advertising. The organization operates a culture studio staffed by a diverse group of employees to ensure campaigns are culturally appropriate.
- Claire launched the WPP Wellness Lab, a ‘living laboratory’ to create an evidence-base for workplace wellness strategies, focusing on mental health and personalised support. She also created a taskforce to support neurodiversity in the workplace, and promoted flexible working for all parents, in-house counselling/support, and mentoring programmes for women.
- Claire founded one of the first UK consultancies to specialize in ‘market access’, leveraging clinical and health economic data to accelerate access to medicines. The concept triggered a global change in how medicines are promoted. The consultancy was eventually acquired by WPP. Access is now a significant part of VML Health’s global offer.
Claire’s work has had a real social impact:
- Developing the economic argument that led the UK government to introduce free access to HPV vaccines for girls. This drove a dramatic decline in cervical cancer rates in Britain.
- Setting up the ABC Global Charter to promote better care for women with advanced breast cancer.
- Launched Dogs Without Borders to help remote communities (see supporting info)
