Gillian, from Blantyre in Lanarkshire, has been brought in as a development scientist to push forward the work done by the R&D and technical sections at the fast-growing company, which makes tests for use in the agri-food industry. She joins this month (January).
Gillian, 34, who took honours in industrial chemistry at the University of Paisley, has held a number of high-profile posts with major companies in the contract pharmaceuticals and environmental sectors.
The appointment reflects an evolution in strategy at R-Biopharm Rhône, which recorded its best ever year last year with record figures for sales, profits and staff numbers. Gillian’s customer-facing role will help the company to develop bigger, longer commercial relationships.
Gillian said: "This is a great opportunity for me to join a team which has shown exceptional growth in recent years and continues to find considerable export success in highly competitive global markets.
"I have enormous respect for the professionalism and integrity of the R-Biopharm Rhône operation, which has earned an outstanding reputation in the sector, and I look forward to making a significant contribution to the company."
R-Biopharm Rhône supplies testing kits both to food companies which have their own diagnostic laboratories and to private labs serving the food and agriculture industries. It also sells to public sector labs which are engaged in food testing as part of the government's statutory duty to ensure food safety.
It sells more than 75% of its output outside the UK to global food manufacturing businesses. The remaining sales are mainly in England.
Dr Elaine Marley, R&D manager at R-Biopharm Rhône, said: "We are pleased to have attracted someone of Gillian’s calibre. Her role as development director will allow us to expand the number of matrices in particular kits and more fully meet customer-led requests for particular methods."
For further information, contact Simon Bevis, managing director, R-Biopharm Rhône Ltd., Block 10, Todd Campus, West of Scotland Science Park, Acre Road, Glasgow, Scotland G20 0XA. Tel: +44 (0) 141 945 2924. Fax: +44 (0) 141 945 2925. Email: info@r-biopharmrhone.com. www.r-biopharmrhone.com
