North East England

Position : Technical Leader
Company : Avecia
Location : Billingham, Tees Valley

“I joined Avecia in 2002 and it has been nothing but a good experience.  The company is international and ambitious, and my career has blossomed.  I’m a research development scientist, originally from France, specialising in Biotechnology.  After studying in France, I completed my studies in the UK, then worked in Scotland before joining Avecia.   The company has a very honest and open-minded approach, people are really encouraging, and that made a big difference in me coming here rather than somewhere else.

We develop biopharmaceuticals - therapeutic proteins - a very specific niche area so we use very modern technologies.  We are one of the few companies in the world that have mastered the science and the skills that need to be applied to these new drugs.  A lot of our customers are from Europe and the US so we deal with many different countries on a daily basis.  

There are a number of centre’s of excellence around the North East which really help the science which we are producing at Avecia.  That attracts good people to the company, from abroad as well as the UK.  Apart from my own hard work and interest, one reason why I’ve done well is the people that are around me.  You are only as good as the people that surround you and that helps you progress.

But I wasn’t sure what to expect, when I moved here!  I’m from Paris so I’m a city guy.  Now I live in Yarm, a village on the in Tees Valley surrounded by lovely countryside.  I enjoy the coast, the North York Moors and I’m only a couple of hours from the Lake District.  Plus Newcastle is only 45 minutes away and is a great place, along with Durham, to enjoy some culture. 

I have been in the south and in other parts of the UK but, in the North East, there is a certain honesty and way of doing things that I like.  People are warm, enjoy life and are passionate.  That, to me, is very important.”