Can you describe yourself in three words?
At work, I’m very delivery focused, positive and a team player, with a glass half-full mindset and a strong focus on getting things done. Outside of work, I’m far less structured and enjoy sports, being active and spending time outdoors.
You went to the University of Bradford to study Pharmacy. When did you realise this was the path you wanted to take?
Like many at 18, I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I went to an academic girls’ grammar school, and at that time, I was given the advice: if you are female and good at science, study the sciences. I loved science and was good at it, so with Biology, Chemistry and Physics A levels, I knew I wanted to pursue a scientific degree.
My options came down to physiotherapy, forensic science or pharmacy. I was a big fan of crime dramas and forensic science documentaries, and I admired Nikki Alexander from Silent Witness. However, as much as I enjoyed them on television, I’m squeamish when it comes to flesh and sharp implements.
Pharmacy appealed to me because it’s a vocational degree, with a strong likelihood of employment afterwards, and that independence mattered to me. I also liked that it was a challenging, broad-based science degree without forcing me to specialise too early. Bradford stood out because it offered a course with integrated six-month placements in industry, hospital and community pharmacy, which gave me early exposure to real-world settings and greater confidence in my future options.
You also went to the University of Nottingham to complete your PhD in Pharmaceutics. What motivated you to pursue your PhD?
During my pharmacy degree I completed an industry placement at Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI, now AstraZeneca), and I quickly knew that industry was where I wanted to be. I loved the science, the pace and the variety of the work. The placement offered a strong training programme, with rotations across different departments, which gave me exposure to a wide range of roles and skills.
Towards the end of my six months there, I spoke to colleagues who had completed PhDs and those who hadn’t to understand why they had made that choice, and I realised I was more like-minded with those who had taken the PhD route. At the time, they seemed a little more dynamic, resilient and confident in tackling challenges, and that really resonated with me.
I also genuinely loved learning, was not bothered about having money, and didn’t mind the idea of spending more years in a lab coat.
Completing my PhD was one of my proudest achievements. It was incredibly tough at times, but it taught me perseverance and gave me the confidence that if you can get through something like that, you can get through anything.
What drew you to a career in the life sciences sector?
It’s important to me to do something I believe is valuable, and I’m proud to work in the healthcare industry. As a pharmacist, it has always been about helping people and contributing to something meaningful. That sense of responsibility and purpose has been central to my career, and it’s something I’m proud to continue at TauRx.
How did your career path lead you to your role at TauRx?
After completing my PhD, I worked in the International Development Laboratories (IDL) at Bristol-Myers Squibb, followed by more than 10 years at AstraZeneca, where I held a variety of positions across several locations. My early roles were very practical, including formulation development in the lab, clinical supplies manufacture, and management of global clinical trial supplies design, dispensing and materials warehousing within the Investigational Medicinal Products group. Over time, my career progressed into more project-focused roles, leading me back to Macclesfield as a Supply Chain Manager where I started my industrial journey at age 21.
A major turning point came when my husband and I were starting a family and wanted to be based in the same place. We moved to Aberdeen and, although I initially thought there were limited pharmaceutical-related opportunities locally, I secured a national role with NHS Research Scotland. This allowed me to work and travel across the 14 Health Boards in Scotland while maintaining close links with the pharmaceutical industry.
After five years, I discovered TauRx was based just a short distance from where I was working, and I joined in 2015 as Deputy Global Project Lead.
Tell us about your role as Head of Operations Compliance
After joining TauRx as Deputy Global Project Lead, I was promoted to Global Project Lead in 2016 and held that role for a number of years. I was excited to work with colleagues and vendors across multi-disciplinary teams on two Phase III Alzheimer’s disease trials and an exploratory peripheral biomarker study. Although those studies have since concluded, I have continued to draw on that experience in my compliance role since 2023, particularly in relation to the Good Clinical Practice (GCP) inspection and compliance activities.
My role as Head of Operations Compliance developed over time, more or less from a blank sheet. I consulted with colleagues and an external quality assurance expert to develop a roadmap, shaping the role around supporting Operations and ensuring compliance across the Operations Directorate and the business.
The aspect I enjoy most in my current role is reviewing new clinical trial protocols from a ‘quality by design’ and ‘critical-to-quality’ factors risk management perspective. I’m also the TauRx representative for the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) and enjoy leading the team responsible for ensuring that materials shared externally are compliant with pharmaceutical industry standards.
Looking ahead, as we progress towards potential marketing authorisation, I hope to return to product launch readiness activities, as project management is very much where I thrive.
What has been the main highlight of working at TauRx so far?
Even though it was a while ago, it must be delivering our pivotal Phase III global randomised clinical trial for Alzheimer’s disease, the LUCIDITY study, as Global Project Lead, jointly with Sotereos Gates. One of the most significant and challenging parts of that work within my remit, was setting up and chairing the data review meetings, with input and support from study team members. There were two key meetings linked to two separate database locks, bringing together TauRx teams and our vendors. They were complex and high pressure, but I really enjoyed the challenge and responsibility that came with them.
What are the top two or three priorities for your role at TauRx in the year ahead?
The first is continuing to support the Operations Directorate to ensure we are compliant with the updated ICH E6(R3) GCP guidelines, due to be formally implemented in the UK in April, as part of updated UK Clinical Trial Regulations. This includes updating standard operating procedures and our quality management system where needed, and making sure we are fully prepared when the changes come into effect.
I hope to coordinate the delivery of actions arising from our recent GCP inspection across the Operations team, working closely with colleagues across the functions and Quality Assurance, to provide comprehensive responses and ensure continuous improvement.
If we return to commercial product launch preparation activities, I look forward to picking up again the delivery of that initiative, while I shall continue performing and overseeing material compliance reviews for materials submitted for external dissemination.
What is the best professional advice you can give, or you have been given?
The first is to make every interaction count. Whether an interaction is internal or external, I always reflect on whether it’s been productive and positive, and whether the outcome is better after the conversation than it was before.
The second is ‘just do it’. Be brave in your decision making and, if it’s well informed, don’t be afraid to move forward.
Tell us something about yourself that would be a surprise to most people
I would say I am adventurous and have always enjoyed taking on new challenges. While completing my PhD, I took three months out to take part in an expedition to Zimbabwe with Operation Raleigh (now Raleigh International) which focused on leadership, teamwork and giving something back. As part of the expedition, we worked on community projects such as building a scout camp for underprivileged children, constructing an elephant fence and supporting a local school.
The expedition also involved demanding and unpredictable challenges. During the trip, I capsized in crocodile infested waters in the Batoka Gorge, canoed over hippos on the Zambezi, and spent the night in a kayak (unintentionally) on Lake Kariba with red-eyed crocodiles swimming around below us. Those experiences remain some of the best times of my life. When you’ve faced situations like that, very little in your career feels overwhelming. That’s where my ‘can do’ attitude comes from.
What stayed with me most was the value of working as part of a team. Achieving something together, particularly in difficult conditions, is incredibly rewarding, and that team-focused mindset continues to shape how I approach my work today.
Alison Walker during her Operation Raleigh expedition to Zimbabwe, taking part in outdoor activities and community projects.
