Paul Townsend, who works for Northumberland-based unlicensed medicines manufacturer The Specials Laboratory, was crowned as the cream of the crop among the finalists in the region’s multi-billion pound pharmaceutical sector at a glittering awards ceremony at Hardwick Hall in Sedgefield.

 

The NEPIC Young Achiever of the Year Awards recognise the best young achievers across several sectors, including pharmaceuticals, across the whole of the North East. At the annual dinner, Paul joined the rest of this year’s winners on the ‘VIP’ table and was presented with his trophy and a cheque for £1000 by the BBC’s Wendy Gibson.

 

Paul, 33, is originally from Birmingham but relocated to Tynedale when he joined The Specials Laboratory in 2006. Since arriving at the award-winning company as a senior technician, Paul has progressed up the ranks into management and is now the company’s Technical Manager.

 

Married with two children, Paul’s outstanding achievement comes after 13 years of working in hospitals before moving into pharmaceutical company The Specials Laboratory. He said: “I am delighted to have won such a fantastic award. Although it’s an individual award, it is testament to all the training and support I have received from The Specials Lab and all of my colleagues.

 

“As I now feel like somewhat of an adopted-Geordie, I am really proud to have brought this honour back to Prudhoe. I love living and working in this great area and hope my recognition has in some way added something back to this amazing part of the world.”

 

The Specials Laboratory is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of unlicensed medicines – known as ‘specials’ – which are bespoke-made for individual patients. This is the latest of its employees to win this NEPIC award after current managing director Sharon Griffiths picked up the same award back in 2007. She said:

 

“I am really pleased for Paul and everyone in the business is extremely proud of his accomplishment. He is one of the rising stars here at The Specials Lab and is highly regarded by colleagues, suppliers and customers.”

 

Paul’s line manager, Robert Sludden, quality and technical services manager at The Specials Laboratory added: “Paul has made tremendous progress over the years he has been here and with his dedication to continuous learning, focus on meeting customer needs and his friendly personality, he epitomises the culture of the business.”

 

The award-win is great news for The Specials Laboratory, which places a huge amount of emphasis on staff training and development. It’s people-centric approach was recognised in 2009 when it was awarded the “Silver“ Investors in People (IiP) status– an honour achieved by less than 1% of IiP recognised organisations across the UK. The company was also accredited as a Best Companies to Work For ‘One To Watch’.

 

The company has shot to business stardom over the last decade and after recording ten years of successive growth last year, the pharmaceutical manufacturer was crowned as the North East’s fifteenth fastest growing company.

 

With three state-of-the-art facilities in Prudhoe, The Specials Laboratory is one of the biggest employers in the Tynedale area with staff numbers of around 130. The business serves the needs of 7,000 pharmacy and hospital customers across the UK and Ireland, delivering over 90% of orders within 24 hours.

 

 

Picture caption: PROUD: Paul Townsend crowned as a winner

 

For further information, images and interview opportunities, please contact Raman Sehgal - ramans@specialslab.co.uk