The British Heart Foundation has announced three appointments to its executive group ahead of launching a new strategy for tackling cardiovascular disease.

Carolan Davidge, director of communications at Cancer Research UK, will join BHF as director of marketing and engagement in October.

Mike Hobday, director of policy and research at Macmillan Cancer Support, will join in September as director of policy.

He is replacing Betty McBride who was director of policy and communications at until May when she retired after 14 years at BHF.

Catherine Kelly (pictured) has been promoted to become director of prevention, survival and support, from her current position as programme director for prevention and care.

She has been at BHF since 2010 and will take up her new position in September.

BHF said it has created the new roles to lead a new approach to engagement and prevention, survival and support activities set out in its strategy for the period to 2020, called We Fight for Every Heartbeat, which is due to launch next Wednesday.

The new appointments will take the charity’s six-strong executive group to nine members.

Davidge, who has previously worked at Shelter, Macmillan and the Medical Research Council, has directed communications campaigns that have built brand awareness and engagement, leading to significant public health wins such as smoke-free workplaces.

Hobday has experience leading high profile campaigns including the League Against Cruel Sports fight to outlaw fox hunting and Macmillan’s appeals to secure free prescriptions for cancer patients.

Simon Gillespie, Chief Executive at the BHF said: “Today, over seven million people in the UK are living with cardiovascular disease. Carolan, Mike and Catherine will play vital roles in leading our dedicated team of staff and volunteers to win the fight against a disease that damages the lives of far too many people.

“Their leadership and experience will help power our new strategic direction and drive forward our fight for every heartbeat.”