Life Sciences Sector Seeks Change Management Leaders

January 19, 2016 – Global leadership advisory firm Allen Austin has launched a new search practice in the burgeoning field of life sciences and healthcare. Brian A. Johnston and Steve Leatherman have been named co-sector practice leaders.

“Our life sciences & healthcare practice addresses the demand for a new generation of talent to transform life science and healthcare’s ever-changing landscape. I am proud to say it’s a niche where Allen Austin is already a phenomenal performer,” said Rob Andrews, firm founder and chief executive officer.

Mr. Johnston, who joined Allen Austin in July, has over 25 years of broad-based healthcare executive search management experience. He previously served as the healthcare practice leader for North America at Stanton Chase.

Mr. Leatherman came to Allen Austin this past June. He brings over 30 years of experience. His consulting practice focuses on all aspects of the life science and healthcare industry as well as general management searches for medium sized and Fortune 500 class enterprises. He formerly served as chief commercial officer for Cryoport.

The practice will be focused on critical growth areas in the sector, including pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device, diagnostics/capital equipment, hospital and healthcare, ancillary services, providers and payers, supply chain, international healthcare providers, healthcare IT service providers, academic health institutions, biotech and healthcare startups, and private equity.

Allen Austin serves a number of clients in the space; among them: Pfizer, Sisters of Charity Health System, Vanguard Health Services, Johnson & Johnson, Novartis, MedAssets, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Medtronic, Boston Scientific, Cellular Dynamics and Baylor College of Medicine.

“Pharmaceutical, biopharma, diagnostic, medical device, and other life sciences-oriented organizations are undergoing massive transformation among deepening market uncertainty,” said Scott A. Scanlon, founding chairman and CEO of Hunt Scanlon Media.

“As healthcare technologies expand, the industry evolves with them — and so, too, does the need for proven leaders who can maneuver and manage through incredible change. Companies in this sector now more than ever require top leadership that can take these companies into the future. It is one of the most demanding, lucrative and fastest growing sectors in the recruiting  business today,” he said.

Bianca Coulter, who runs life sciences boutique firm Coulter Partners, said the life sciences sector has, in fact, changed beyond anyone’s expectations over the last two decades.

“Vast volumes have been written about changes in understanding of disease progression and causes, gene and cell therapy approaches, the role of the immune system in cancer treatment, the rise of personalized medicines, and the power that technology advances have brought to scientific and medical endeavor,” she said.

“Advances in science and technology obviously have caused the bio-pharmaceutical and medical devices sectors to evolve at a pace that outstrips most others. The implications for search firms serving the sector are extraordinary.”

Contributed by Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor, Hunt Scanlon Media
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