The office will be based in MediaCity and will be fully integrated with Simpson Carpenter’s pharma department, headed by Anna Sawka, in London.

In Manchester, the agency has hired Alex Martin (pictured) as associate director and Shaan Bassi as senior research executive, both of whom previously worked at Blueprint Partnership. Martin specialises in complex quant studies, while Bassi has a scientific background and a research focus on qualitative.

Sawka said: "Simpson Carpenter has always believed in recruiting the right people, with the best possible blend of skills and expertise. A strategy that has helped us establish a US presence in Chicago and now one in Manchester.  

"Alex and Shaan will work as part of our integrated pharma team which operates differently from most pharma departments.  Our intention has always been to push the boundaries, to bridge the gap between pharma and consumer research."