The Urology Foundation has appointed its first director of communications and policy, hiring an agency public affairs specialist to the role.

The post has been taken by Laura Thorne, who joins from agency Four Health, which is part of Four Communications, where she was its head of public affairs.

She was also an associate director at the agency and an account director at Insight Consulting Group which became part of Four Communications six years ago.

In addition, she is a former parliamentary assistant to the late Conservative Party MP David Amess, working for him for three years until 2013.

"I am delighted to be joining The Urology Foundation to support their fight against urology disease,” said Thorne.

“The team drives real change through cutting-edge research and nurturing the urological talent of tomorrow. I look forward to building on the excellent work already underway by leading on innovative campaigns and policy programmes that deliver for patients and the medical and scientific sectors.”

The charity’s chief executive added: “Laura brings a wealth of experience to the charity and will strengthen our efforts to use our outstanding research outcomes to drive meaningful change, raise awareness, and advocate for improved urological health for all. "

---