ALLERGY THERAPEUTICS

Company background

Allergy Therapeutics plc is an AIM-listed international commercial biotechnology company with specialist experience in the research and development of allergy treatments.

The Group sells proprietary and third party products from its subsidiaries in nine major European countries and via distribution agreements in 10 further countries. In 2021, the business achieved 8% revenue growth to £84.3m.

The brief

Allergy Therapeutics has consolidated its vision and plans for growth over the next 10 years with a clear strategy:

• To expand the European commercial business by continuing to grow market share and the number of product registrations;
• To continue to invest in a strong development pipeline using new technologies;
• To achieve fully licensed entry into the USA market.

 

To support such ambitions, the Group approached Directorbank to find a Non-Executive Director with the experience, gravitas and personality to make a significant contribution to the Board. Key search criteria included a track record of success as a senior executive of a listed pharma/healthcare business and, crucially, experience of both the US and European markets.

The process

Drawing on the strength of Directorbank’s network and comprehensive research approach, we responded to the brief with an impressive shortlist of candidates. Having successfully completed four critical searches for Allergy Therapeutics in the past, our team had a solid understanding of the Client business and the type of candidate that would complement the Board.

Ultimately, Cheryl MacDiarmid was appointed to the role.

The outcome

Cheryl’s track record is outstanding and a perfect fit for the Board. She brings more than 25 years’ experience in commercial roles within the global pharmaceuticals sector and a deep knowledge of sales, marketing and operations, particularly in the US. Since 1993 she has worked for GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and has led their US Respiratory Business Unit and US Pharma Operations. She is currently Head, Global Commercial Strategy for ViiV Healthcare, the joint venture between GSK, Pfizer and Shionogi which specialises in the development of therapies for HIV.