North East England

Position : Chief Executive Officer
Company : Specials Laboratory
Location : Prudhoe

"I left the North East when I was 18 to go to University in London.  I qualified as a pharmacist and my career has been spent in the pharmaceutical industry.  It’s taken me all over the UK.  Ten years ago, when I was working in Scotland, I had the opportunity to downsize.  My son was aged two at the time, so to have the chance to leave the pressured corporate life and take a smaller job - with a more manageable working schedule - was perfect timing.

I applied for work with a smaller firm in the North East as it meant that my son would get to know my family who still lived in the area.  I didn’t have any work contacts in the region and didn’t know anyone other than my family.
 
But soon, I had the opportunity to start up my own business, so I decided to stay in the region.  My business is based in Prudhoe and I live in Hexham.  The commute is perfect.  I’ve studied in London, worked in the South East, I’ve done the M25.  This couldn’t be better, only 15 minutes down the road.

The region has definitely helped my career.  Given that our sector is fairly well represented in the area, recruitment has been good.  We’re attracting talent of the more senior specialist nature – often people that have been away and wanting to come back.  It’s great to be able to offer people that quality of life aspect."