Kudos appoints new managing director

Kudos, the platform for showcasing research, has appointed Richard Baxter as Managing Director. Baxter succeeds Melinda Kenneway, co-founder and CEO for the past 12 years, who will continue to be actively involved in the company.

Kenneway, who co-founded Kudos with Charlie Rapple and David Sommer in 2013, has led the company from inception. Her vision of making research more accessible, understandable, and impactful has been a driving force behind Kudos’ mission.

“I started Kudos because I saw a job that needed doing – communicating stories around research to demonstrate the potential, and engage broader audiences with the value that researchers, their institutions, publishers and funders bring to the world,”she said. “Over the past 12 years, we’ve built a platform that supports that goal through clear, accessible communication. Now, as the need for research engagement continues to grow, I’m excited to welcome Richard, whose experience and values are a perfect fit for broadening the application and uptake of Kudos.”

Baxter has a career spanning medical communications, healthcare, biotech and life sciences. He has held positions in the pharmaceutical sector, notably at AstraZeneca, and in medical communications agencies, including managing director roles with IPGH (CMC Affinity) and Ashfield (iMed & QXV Communications & Watermeadow).

“I’m thrilled to be joining Kudos at such an exciting time,” said Baxter. “The company has a unique and important mission – to ensure more people can find, understand and benefit from research. I’m looking forward to building on the fantastic foundation laid by Melinda, David, Charlie and the team, and to exploring new partnerships and innovations that will further amplify the impact of research worldwide.”

Alison Forrestal, Chair of the Kudos Board, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Richard to the team. His leadership will help the company scale its services and extend its reach across the research, publishing and corporate sectors. On behalf of the board, I also want to express our immense gratitude to Melinda for her vision, commitment and exceptional leadership over the past 12 years.”

Melinda Kenneway will continue to be actively involved in Kudos, while also pursuing creative ambitions in the arts.

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