St Johns Ambulance recruits Orange marketer

First aid charity St John ambulance has poached Orange’s head of corporate communications Scott Jacobson to be its first director of marketing, communications and fundraising.

The newly created role will be Jacobson’s first non-profit position following a career in marketing and communications roles for global brands, including a stint as marketing communications director at Coca Cola and as brand marketing director at PR communications agency Ketchum Atlanta.

Scott, a US citizen, says that after 20 years in the commercial sector he wanted a “chance to make a direct difference.” He says his challenge is to transform the image of St John’s ambulance from an organisation that provides first aid at village fetes to offering a more vital and dramatic role helping communities save lives.

Jacobson will report to chief executive officer Sue Killen. He has held his position at Orange since summer 2005.