ABPI Logo
  • Developing medicines
    • Responding to COVID-19
    • Clinical trials and research
    • Building a thriving environment for medicine discovery
    • UK-EU Future Relationship
    • Life Sciences Industrial Strategy
    • ABPI Medical Representatives Exam
  • Accessing medicines
    • How medicines are priced in the UK
    • Working with the NHS
    • Supply chain
    • Antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
    • Vaccines
    • What is the NICE Methods Review?
    • Rare diseases: Facing three challenges
  • Our ethics
    • ABPI Code of Practice
    • Disclosure UK
    • Appropriate prescribing
    • Patient & public involvement
  • Member representation
    • Events
    • Full membership
    • Working with our members​
    • ABPI Members List
    • Membership benefits
  • Who We Are
  • Media
  • Publications
  • Facts and Figures
  • Contact Us
MY ABPI LOGIN
 
  • The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry
  • Developing medicines
  • Academic collaboration, education & skills
  • Careers in the pharmaceutical industry
  • Case studies
  • Learning and Development Business Practice Lead

Learning and Development Business Practice Lead

If you excel in your job, have a clear focus and drive and own your development plan, then the pharmaceutical world is your oyster.

Arabella, Learning and Development Business Lead

What do you do?

My title is Learning and Development Business Practice Lead. My main responsibility is to ensure critical compliance training requirements are met across our organisation in the UK.

What does your typical day involve?

There is no typical day – which is what I love about my new role. If I am not meeting with lots of different people in the business to learn and understand what their critical compliance training requirements are, then I am planning and scoping out the training projects that are a result of these meetings or delivering the training on them.

Do you work mostly on your own or as part of team?

I am part of a Learning and Development team, but everyone has their own roles, responsibilities and remit. We realise though that for each individual to succeed, team working is a very important part of that success.

How long have you been in your current role?

6 weeks!

What qualifications and experience do you have?

I went to the University of Natal in South Africa and have a BSc in Biological Sciences, majoring in Psychology.

When and why did you decide on a career in the pharmaceutical industry?

I decided to go into the pharmaceutical industry in my 2nd year of university. I had family members in the industry and they highly recommended that I look into it. From speaking with sales representatives in the industry at the time it just sounded like such a rewarding and fulfilling role. I really wanted to be a part of making a difference to people’s lives and I thought that having a scientific and psychology background would put me in good stead for the role.

How has your career developed since you left school, college or university?

I became a sales representative in South Africa as soon as I left University in 1998. I then moved back to the UK and worked as a sales representative. After a few years I started working as a Sales Trainer at head office, training product and selling skills. I then became a Sales Manager and held this role for 5 years. In 2010, I left the pharmaceutical Industry and had a complete change, where I set up a business consultancy specialising in franchise companies – so completely different! I really enjoyed my time learning new skills and knowledge, but I just missed the pharmaceutical industry too much. I re-joined the pharmaceutical industry in 2013 as an e-detailing representative to gain insight into what I believe is a real growth area in the industry. I got my new role as Business Practice Lead in April 2014.

Do you think additional qualifications or experience would be an advantage for someone entering the industry now? What might be valuable?

I think a solid science background is important, but I do think any other business background is advantageous as there are a lot of transferable skills that can be utilised in the pharmaceutical industry.

What is it like socially where you work?

It’s brilliant - Everyone is so friendly, like a big extended family.

What are you most proud of in your career?

Being on the launch team for a large product launch conference.

What possibilities are there for your career in the future?

Anything I put my mind to! I firmly believe that you should drive your own development and if you excel in your job have a clear focus and drive and own your development plan, then the pharmaceutical world is your oyster.

What do you think are the most important skills for someone in your role to have?

Embracing change, being adaptable, innovation, and excellent interpersonal skills.

What is the one piece of advice you would give to someone seeking a career in the pharmaceutical industry?

Take time to research the industry, speak to and research as many people as you can in varying roles so you really understand it.

Case studies

  • Analytical Chemist
  • Analytical Chemist (Discovery)
  • Animal Technologist
  • Apprentice - Higher Laboratory Scientist
  • Biologist (biomarkers)
  • Biologist (DPMK)
  • Biologist (imaging)
  • BioPharmaceutical Scientist
  • Biostatistics Manager
  • Business Engagement Director
  • Chemical Biologist
  • Chemical Engineer
  • Chemist (manufacturing)
  • Chemist (process)
  • Chemistry (discovery)
  • Chemistry Outsourcing Manager and Synthetic Chemist
  • Clinical Data Manager
  • Clinical Quality Assurance Advisor
  • Clinical Research Analyst
  • Clinical Research Associate
  • Clinical Research Manager
  • Clinical Research Project Manager
  • Clinical Safety Scientist
  • Clinical Safety Scientist 2
  • Clinical Scientist
  • Clinical trials supplies
  • Commercial Account Manager
  • Commercial Director
  • Compliance Director
  • Contract Manager
  • Data Sciences Manager
  • Director Medical Affairs
  • Drug Safety Associate – Video
  • Drug Safety Officer
  • Epidemiologist
  • Executive Sales Representative
  • Geneticist
  • Graduate Trainee Biologist
  • Graduate Trainee Chemist
  • Graduate Trainee In Vivo Scientist
  • Head of Drug Safety and Local Safety Officer
  • Head of Health Economics
  • Head of Market Access
  • Healthcare Manager
  • Human Resources Manager
  • Industrial Placement (Medicinal Chemist)
  • Industrial Placement (Medicinal Chemistry)
  • Industrial Placement (Regulatory Policy)
  • Industrial Placement Biologist
  • Industrial Placement Chemist
  • Industrial Placement Pharmacologist
  • Industrial Placement Pharmacologist - Respiratory
  • Industrial placement student – biologist
  • Industry Accountant
  • IT Project Manager
  • Laboratory Technician (biology)
  • Laboratory Technician (chemistry)
  • Lean Coach
  • Learning and Development Business Practice Lead
  • Legal Coordinator
  • Manufacturing Operative
  • Market Access Director
  • Mathematical Modeller
  • Medical department intern
  • Medical Director and Managing Director UK & Ireland
  • Medical Director UK and Ireland
  • Medical Director UK and Republic of Ireland
  • Medical Information Scientist
  • Medical Physicist
  • Medical Writer
  • Medical writer (freelance)
  • Medicinal Chemist
  • Medicinal Chemist – Video
  • Medicinal Chemistry Director
  • Occupational Health Manager
  • Patent Attorney
  • Pharmaceutical Formulation Scientist
  • Pharmaceutical Technologist
  • Pharmacist (formulation)
  • Pharmacist (pre-registration)
  • Pharmacokineticist (DMPK) – Video
  • Pharmacologist
  • Pharmacovigilance Scientist
  • Policy and Public Affairs Manager
  • Product Manager
  • Production Coordinator
  • Project Manager / Director
  • Public Relations Executive
  • Public Relations Officer
  • Quality and Compliance Vice President
  • Regulatory Affairs and Qualified Person
  • Regulatory Affairs Associate
  • Regulatory Affairs Consultant (Freelance)
  • Regulatory Affairs Executive
  • Regulatory Associate
  • Research Project Leader
  • Research Scientist – Video
  • Sales Representative
  • Scientific Affairs Manager (Nutrition)
  • Senior statistician
  • Specialist Medical Representative
  • Statistician
  • Summer placement student
  • Synthetic Medicinal Chemist – Video
  • Toxicologist
  • Toxicologist (Contract Research)
  • Toxicology Study Director
  • Training Director
  • Training Instructor
  • UK and Ireland Medical Director
  • Veterinary Surgeon

ABPI

The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales 
(registered number 09826787) and its registered office is at 7th Floor Southside,105 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6QT.
Telephone +44 (0) 207 9303477

© ABPI 2021
  • Twitter Logo
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube Logo

Devolved Nations

  • Cymru Wales
  • Northern Ireland
  • Scotland

Quick Links

  • ABPI Exam
  • Disclosure UK
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Careers
  • Schools
  • Acronym buster

Website Info

  • Terms and conditions
  • Accessibility
  • Cookie Policy

Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority (PMCPA)

The Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority (PMCPA) was established by The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry to operate the ABPI Code of Practice for the Pharmaceutical Industry independently of the ABPI. The PMCPA is a division of ABPI which is a company registered in England and Wales (registered number 09826787) with its registered office at 7th Floor, Southside, 105 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6QT.

Office of Health Economics (OHE)

The Office of Health Economics (OHE) is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (registered number 09848965) and its registered office is at 7th Floor Southside, 105 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6QT. OHE provides independent research, advisory and consultancy services on policy implications and economic issues within the pharmaceutical, health care and biotechnology sectors.