Can you describe yourself in three words?
Not exactly three words, but I like to say I’m the personality hire at TauRx. I don’t come from a scientific background, and I didn’t study procurement, but what I do bring is strong people skills and a solid work ethic, and that’s what helped get me through the door.
I still remember my interview very clearly, I was just hoping my enthusiasm and eagerness to learn would come across. Something must have clicked, because I officially began my TauRx journey in November 2022 and have loved my role ever since!
You went to the University of Aberdeen to study History. When did you first realise this was something you wanted to do?
I loved history all through school. I achieved a strong grade in my advance higher exam and knew this was what I wanted to pursue in my further education. I started university with the plan of becoming a history teacher, but, thankfully, the pandemic disrupted that plan! We went into lockdown as I finished up my undergraduate degree, and like many others I was ready to apply for my postgraduate teaching course. At the time, the course was heavily oversubscribed, so I wasn’t awarded a space. Originally, I thought of this as just a minor setback, and that I’d apply again in a year’s time.
In the meantime, I took a role in the social care sector as something that has always stuck with me is the devastating effects of Alzheimer’s on patients, their families and people as their care providers.
Not long after, I joined the NHS in a complaints and feedback role. It was there that I learned to communicate with empathy, navigate challenging conversations, and build resilience, all skills that laid the groundwork for what I do now in procurement and contracts at TauRx.
On reflection, I’m so lucky I never got a space on that postgraduate course because it's led me to where I am now. Although this wasn’t the original plan, I now couldn’t imagine it any other way!
You’ve worked in a variety of different sectors. How did your career path lead you to your role at TauRx?
I had a friend who worked here who let me know a role was coming up that she thought would be well suited to me. Despite my initial doubts caused by not having a background in life sciences, pharma or even procurement, she assured me I would be a good fit.
That’s something I’m a huge advocate of; you don’t need a scientific qualification, just a positive attitude and someone to take a chance on you. There are people across the business from all backgrounds, and together we make a really strong team determined to make a huge, lasting impact to the lives of so many people.
Can you tell us about your role as a Procurement and Contracts administrator at TauRx?
It's varied and fast-paced, especially as the company continues to grow and evolve. One of our biggest ongoing projects is the implementation of a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system to streamline what has traditionally been a very manual process.
On a day-to-day basis, I’m responsible for ensuring all contract documentation is complete and accurate, coordinating signatures, and reviewing contract terms. If there are any clauses we’re unsure about or need legal input on, I’ll escalate those for review. I also work closely with our finance team to ensure we stay within budget and help manage vendor relationships.
With the ongoing MHRA application process, our role becomes even more critical. If contracts aren’t in place on time, key work can’t start, which risks delays in regulatory responses. That’s why we’re working hard to ensure everything is ready and responsive.
Our work touches almost every area of the business, from manufacturing and imaging vendors to IT and professional services. It’s a small team of three including my colleague Emma and our manager Derek, but we stay agile and collaborative to keep everything moving. It’s busy, but it’s incredibly rewarding to play a part in such meaningful work.
What has been the main highlight of working at TauRx so far?
Without a doubt, the biggest highlight for me has been the people I work with. There’s a real sense of shared purpose here, everyone is committed to making a difference, and that’s incredibly motivating.
My line manager Derek has been a huge part of my development. He’s the kind of leader who’s always encouraging you to step outside your comfort zone and take on new challenges.
Thanks to this, I’ve recently completed a commercial contracting course with RGU and I’m only two exams away from completing my Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) Level 4 qualification. It’s been tough balancing this alongside work, but I’m lucky to be in a supportive environment here at TauRx. We work hard, but we also laugh a lot, and that balance makes coming into the office genuinely enjoyable.
On a more personal level, having lost two grandparents to dementia, TauRx’s mission really resonates with me. I was lucky to have as much time with them as I did, but my younger cousins didn’t get the same chance. So, being part of a team that’s working towards extending those moments for other families feels incredibly meaningful.
What is the best professional advice you can give, or you have been given?
If there’s a problem, pick up the phone. It’s easy to fall back on emails, but speaking directly to someone is almost always quicker, clearer, and more effective. I find this especially relevant in my role, where there can be a lot of back and forth. A quick conversation can save hours of misunderstanding , and people appreciate the human connection, which can make problem-solving much more collaborative.
Can you tell us something about yourself that would be a surprise to most people?
I’m a twin, but not an identical one, despite my mum being told we were at birth. The doctors were wrong which is probably quite unusual in this case.
