Wednesday, January 28, 2026

STADA Expands Leadership Structure: Communications Chief Frank Staud to Lead Global Government Affairs

Effective January 1, 2026, STADA’s Global Head of Communications, Frank Staud (56), has assumed additional global responsibility for the newly created Government Affairs function. With this step, STADA is responding to geopolitical shifts and the growing influence of national healthcare systems on pharmaceutical supply and regulation.

STADA CEO Peter Goldschmidt stated: “Due to geopolitical changes, we see new opportunities for STADA to work closely with national governments to realize country-specific solutions and sustainable growth opportunities in healthcare.” This approach aligns with STADA’s overarching strategy of addressing local patient needs and engaging with healthcare decision-makers to develop tailored solutions for diverse healthcare systems.

The newly established Government Affairs function aims to ensure that STADA is well prepared for legislative risks and opportunities, while also making sure that the company’s interests are considered in political decision-making processes. This applies across all of STADA’s business areas: Consumer Healthcare, Specialty (Innovations), and Generics.

STADA’s clear country-specific approach provides an ideal foundation for developing customized national solutions and for consistently delivering on its global purpose, “Caring for People’s Health as a Trusted Partner.” This also includes informing political decision-makers about relevant healthcare topics, for example through the annual STADA Health Report. This flagship initiative is a long-standing information and awareness campaign, most recently surveying nearly 30,000 people across 22 countries.

STADA is currently working with countries such as Saudi Arabia and Vietnam on local initiatives, including production expansions designed to help secure the supply of medicines in Europe at affordable prices. At the same time, STADA continues to rely heavily on European production resources in countries such as Germany, the United Kingdom, Serbia, and Romania. As one of the largest providers of generics, STADA therefore plays a central role in ensuring patient access to essential medicines.

Frank Staud’s new responsibilities are added to his existing remit, which includes overseeing STADA’s global brand presence and all corporate communications activities. A native of Tyrol, Staud has been a member of the extended Board (STADA Executive Committee) since 2017 and has fundamentally modernized and restructured the company’s communications over recent years.

Internal communication is particularly close to Staud’s heart: “Our goal is to further strengthen STADA’s strong corporate culture and leverage our employees’ above-average engagement as a clear competitive advantage.” This commitment is reflected in initiatives such as the company-wide employee app, the in-house STADA TV studio, and the company’s strong LinkedIn performance, which recently surpassed the 300,000-follower mark.

Frank Staud brings more than 30 years of experience in journalism and corporate communications. Prior to joining STADA, he served as Chief Marketing Officer at the Austrian real estate company PEMA Group. Earlier in his career, he held the position of Executive Vice President Corporate Communications at the pharmaceutical company Actavis. His professional journey also includes roles at Austria Presse Agentur, Radio Antenne Austria, and the Tiroler Tageszeitung, where he served as Editor-in-Chief from 2005 to 2008.