In pursuit of innovation: the creation of an unrivalled anatomical pathology portfolio

Can you tell us briefly about your career?
My first job after leaving university was in commercial sales for DuPont. I spent 15 years with the company in different sales, product management and marketing roles within life sciences and was involved in commercialising a number of new technologies including DNA sequencers. In 1996, I moved to ICN Pharmaceuticals where I spent three years as the UK sales director for northern Europe before joining Anachem as bioscience business unit director. I spent five years at Anachem and became managing director; however, it was a UK-based role and after a very enjoyable time there I wanted to change direction and get back into the international arena.

I was approached by Fisher Scientific just over four years ago when the company was looking for a managing director for what was at the time its ABgene business. The role was to grow the ABgene business faster internationally with a particular focus on North America. Subsequently, Thermo Electron and Fisher Scientific merged, with the result that the ABgene portfolio was brought under the Thermo Scientific brand.

About 18 months ago I took up the position of managing director at our Runcorn manufacturing and R&D site to oversee its expansion and the development of the new multi-million pound facility. By moving managers within the different areas of the company, Thermo Fisher Scientific is able to leverage best practices and demonstrate its commitment to develop our management to assume greater responsibility as the business grows.