Joe Cerrell, an early Gates Foundation employee who has shaped its communications and policy strategy on global health, will be moving to London to head the foundation's European office.

He'll lead an effort to expand the office in Europe, the foundation said today. Cerrell will oversee policy, advocacy and communications and assume the role in London on Jan. 1. He is currently director of global health policy and advocacy in Seattle.

"Joe has been a senior leader at the foundation for many years and has played a central role in its development and growth," foundation co-chair Bill Gates said in a statement. "He has also led highly successful global health advocacy activities, many of which were conducted with European partners."

He'll be charged with expanding the foundation's partnerships with European non-profits, governments and other groups, as well as managing grants. The foundation currently has major partnerships with development agencies of the United Kingdom, Germany and France.

Cerrell has worked at the Gates Foundation since 2001. Before that he was assistant press secretary to former Vice President Al Gore. He is the son of longtime Democratic political consultant Joe Cerrell, of Cerrell & Associates.