Case study
Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry: helping to embed an evolving culture
ABPI
The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) is the leading representative body for the UK’s innovative pharmaceutical sector. With a rich history spanning over 120 years, ABPI plays a pivotal role in shaping the healthcare landscape, driving advancements in medical research, and ensuring patient access to cutting-edge medicines. Our work together focused on enhancing their internal team dynamics and strategic alignment, equipping ABPI with the tools and insights needed to strengthen their advocacy efforts – and further their mission of representing the pharmaceutical industry.
The client
The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), a leading organisation representing the research and development-based pharmaceutical industry in the UK. With 90 full-time corporate members and approximately 150 affiliate members, ABPI plays a crucial role in advancing biopharmaceutical innovation.
The brief
Stephen Whitehead, the Chief Executive of ABPI, was tasked with making significant changes to enhance the association’s impact on its stakeholders, including members, the government, the NHS, and the Department of Health. To achieve these goals, ABPI needed to upgrade and upskill its organisation, starting with the onboarding of several senior executives. Stephen sought ig’s expertise in designing and implementing an effective onboarding process, ensuring that the new executives had the right skill sets and were well-prepared to meet the demands of their roles.
What we did
Designing the onboarding process
Initially, Stephen anticipated that ig’s role would be focused on coaching the new executives. After initial contact with the company, we decided to go beyond this, offering a holistic approach that encompassed a deep analysis of the skill sets required for the roles. ig challenged ABPI’s existing assumptions and recruitment processes, guiding the team to identify the specific talents needed to meet the evolving demands of their stakeholders.
Tailored coaching and continuous evaluation
ig provided not only initial coaching for the new executives but also a continuous, circular process of evaluation. This approach ensured that ABPI could consistently reassess whether the onboarding process and the executives were meeting the organisation’s goals. The process was designed to be replicable, allowing ABPI to apply these insights to future talent acquisition and development efforts.
Ongoing support
ig’s consultancy work was delivered within a fixed fee, providing ABPI with the reassurance of cost management while receiving high-quality, ongoing support. This approach was particularly important to ABPI, given the often open-ended nature of consultancy projects.
The results
Enhanced recruitment and onboarding strategy
ig’s involvement led to a significant shift in ABPI’s approach to recruiting and onboarding senior executives. The organisation moved from its original conclusion to a more refined understanding of the skill sets required, resulting in a stronger alignment between the new executives’ capabilities and ABPI’s strategic goals.
Sustainable capability development
The process implemented by ig was not just a one-time solution but a sustainable framework that ABPI could continue to use. The circular process of continuous evaluation and capability development became a core part of ABPI’s approach to nurturing talent within the organisation.
What our client had to say
ig went way beyond my original expectations. They didn’t just focus on coaching but provided a deeper level of expertise and advice, offering a holistic picture of the skill sets required in key roles.
They challenged us in our thought processes and recruitment strategies, leading us to the right conclusion about the talent we needed. Their disciplined approach and unique process were very worthwhile, enabling us to learn and replicate their methods in future talent development.
Stephen Whitehead
Chief Executive
ABPI
The consultancy exercise was conducted within a fixed fee, which was reassuring for us. ig’s circular process of continuous evaluation taught us that capability development is a full-time commitment, and they provided invaluable support in this journey.
ig stands out for the depth of their service and their ability to combine the ‘hard edge’ of HR with individual support. Their unique approach made a significant difference to our organisation, and I would highly recommend them to others.
Stephen Whitehead
Chief Executive
ABPI
In summary
ig’s engagement with ABPI resulted in a transformative approach to onboarding senior executives, aligning their skills with the organisation’s strategic goals. By challenging ABPI’s initial assumptions and providing a holistic, continuous process of evaluation, ig not only met but exceeded expectations.
ABPI now has a sustainable framework for talent development, thanks to ig’s unique combination of deep HR expertise and individual support. Stephen Whitehead and the ABPI team look forward to continuing their partnership with ig in the future.
