The New Year Honours List 2012 included three pharmaceutical industry leaders who were recognised for their services to the UK life sciences sector.
Andrew Witty, chief executive of GlaxoSmithKline, received a knighthood as a reflection of his work for the company and the UK’s pharmaceutical industry.
Professor Stephen Bloom, Head of Division for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism at Imperial College London, was also knighted for his contribution to medical science.
Prof Bloom is a leading expert on obesity, insulin release and insulin resistance and leads a research group investigating appetite control systems and gut hormones. Their research led to the discovery that oxyntomodulin reduces appetite offering potential new treatments for obesity.
Professor Stephen Bloom is knighted for services to medical science
Also honoured in the New Year list was Richard Barker, former director general of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), who was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to the pharmaceutical industry.
John Stageman, chairman of the ABPI’s innovation board and vice president UK Science Affairs at AstraZeneca, was also honoured with an OBE for his services to the biotechnology industry.
Stephen Whitehead, chief executive of the ABPI, commented: ‘We were delighted to see Sir Andrew Witty receive a knighthood for his pioneering leadership in one of the UK’s most successful companies; Dr Richard Barker OBE acknowledged for his work on behalf of the research-based pharmaceutical industry; and Dr John Stageman OBE rewarded for his services to the biotechnology Industry and the whole life sciences sector.
‘At this challenging time, encouragement for our industry is very welcome as we seek to play a dynamic role in the future recovery of the UK economy.‘
Ruby McGregor-Smith, chief executive of facilities management firm Mitie Group, was honoured with a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for her services to business and diversity in business.
Dr Ian Smith, founder and global medical director of Synexus, was awarded an MBE for services to healthcare research. The Chorley, Lancashire firm was founded in 1992 and has since grown to become the world's largest multinational company dedicated to the recruitment and running of clinical trials at its 26 dedicated research centres in nine countries across Asia, Africa and Europe.