Maureen Wedderburn appointed as Chair of the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre Supervisory Board

CPI has today announced the appointment of Maureen Wedderburn as Chairperson of the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre Supervisory Board. As Chairperson, Maureen brings extensive industry knowledge and experience to guide the Centre to achieve its strategic goals. Maureen will lead the board to ensure that future innovations tackled by the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre address challenges across the medicines supply chain. Maureen succeeds Frank Millar, CPI’s CEO, who has served as Chairperson since the Supervisory Board was created in 2018.

The Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre is a collaboration between CPI, the University of Strathclyde and founding industry partners, GSK and AstraZeneca, with funding provided by Scottish Enterprise and UK Research and Innovation. The Supervisory Board enables the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre to deliver its aims and objectives, namely to translate, at industrial and commercial scale, novel techniques for producing patient-centric medicines. It’s flagship Grand Challenges along with other innovative projects, are set to increase productivity and patient outcomes in the pharmaceutical industry.

In her role as Chairperson, Maureen will enhance the overall contribution of the board by developing member knowledge and capability through leadership and mentorship. Maureen will also support the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre’s business plan and performance while working closely with the leadership team and board members to set the Centre’s strategic direction.

Maureen brings with her 35 years of experience – principally at GSK – as a senior digital and technology executive with global responsibility and deep expertise in the management of manufacturing and supply chain operations. This experience spans operational and technology remits, where she has both led and strategically directed global product and transformational programmes across complex multi-national businesses. In addition, Maureen has experience on supervisory boards, serving as an advisory board member for CIONET UK – helping digital leaders achieve their global ambitions and, as a member of the innovation council, identifying future trends and industry responses.

With the addition of four new partners and the official ground-breaking of the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre in the second half of 2020, this appointment will help ensure the Centre continues on its strong trajectory into 2021.

Maureen started her role as Chairperson of the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre on 2 November 2020 and will retire from her role at GSK on 31 December 2020.

Maureen Wedderburn, Chair of the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre Supervisory Board, said: “I am excited to begin this new role and to join this innovative partnership. I look forward to sharing my experience in the pharmaceutical sector to bring together stakeholders to advance medicines manufacturing in the UK and beyond.”

Dave Tudor, Managing Director of the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre, said: “We are delighted to announce that Maureen Wedderburn will Chair the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre Supervisory Board. Maureen’s extensive expertise within the pharmaceutical industry will ensure that well-informed and strategic choices are being made, benefitting the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre, our partners, industry and ultimately patients.”