Our people
The Specials Laboratory’s senior management team (SMT) is made of several highly-qualified professionals with decades of commercial and operational experience across the pharmaceutical industry.
Our SMT is responsible for the day-to-day running of the company along with being tasked with the strategic growth of the business. Overseeing the 135+ people, the SMT helps retain and encourage its passionate and customer-focused culture. It also ensures smooth integration between all departments across the company’s three sites and is constantly focused on meeting and exceeding customers’ evolving needs.
Meet the team...
Sharon Griffiths
Managing DirectorSharon is the company’s managing director responsible for the ongoing operational and commercial performance of the business as well as its future strategic direction.
Having joined The Specials Laboratory in 2002 in a part-time credit control role, her natural drive and people-focused ethos was instantly recognised. Sharon quickly progressed through the business to become managing director in 2008 at just 32 years old. Her passionate personality and rise through the ranks typifies the vibrant culture at The Specials Laboratory, which revolves around staff welfare, development and progression.
With over a decade of managerial and financial experience, Sharon is focused on nurturing the senior management team to ensure staff at every level are supported and motivated to meet the company’s customer, financial, production, quality and strategic targets.
In recognition of her tremendous achievements at the company, Sharon was crowned Young Achiever of the Year at The North East of England Process Industry Cluster (NEPIC) Awards 2007 and profiled in The Journal’s prestigious Monday Business Interview in 2010.
Exemplifying the importance of continuous professional development at every level, she is currently completing her studies for an Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) qualification to become a chartered accountant.
Lee Craig
Head of OperationsLee is the company’s head of operations and oversees the whole operations function across The Specials Laboratory.
Another one of the senior managers that has climbed up the internal ranks in typical ‘Specials’ style, Lee joined the business back in 2004 as a Warehouse Supervisor. With well over a decade of experience in the Specials manufacturing industry, Lee has worked in a variety of roles giving him an all-round knowledge of the business. He worked across wholesale, supply and logistics before successfully planning, launching and growing the company’s hospital-focused over labelling service.
A highly-regarded member of the senior management team, Lee created a completely new business stream for The Specials Laboratory aside from its core Specials business, which delivers well over £1million sales a year. Along with over labelling, Lee now looks after operations across all the company's service offerings.
Susan Robson
Head of FinanceSusan is head of finance at The Specials Laboratory and is responsible for all financial aspects of the company both from a control and a commercial point of view.
Committed to continual professional development, Susan is a chartered accountant and is an associate of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). She has over 10 years of accounting experience, of which six have been spent in the pharmaceutical industry.
As part of her role at The Specials Laboratory, Susan looks after the whole finance function. She has played a major role in setting up the company’s robust financial, IT and customer database systems, which has helped provide a solid and stable platform for the business amid its ongoing growth.
Kevin Patterson
Head of SalesKevin is head of sales at The Specials Laboratory and is responsible for planning and implementing the company’s sales strategy. Although he primarily focuses on the retail pharmacy, dispensing doctor and wholesale sectors, Kevin also oversees the company’s increasing expansion into the hospital market.
An active member of the Pharmaceutical Sales Manager Group, Kevin has been in the pharmaceutical sales industry for around 25 years and is one of the firm’s most experienced senior managers. With an Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (APBI) qualification, Kevin has exceptional commercial industry knowledge that equips him in business development at The Specials Laboratory.
Working closely with the company’s marketing team, Kevin plays a key role in liaising with the company’s biggest customers, ensuring it is constantly meeting evolving needs. In addition, he is often the ‘face’ of the business at various key industry events, exhibitions and conferences.
Lynn J D Willis
Head of Human ResourcesLynn is head of human resources (HR) at The Specials Laboratory and is responsible for the strategic and operational ‘people’ aspects of the business, including staff recruitment, development, retention and HR best practice.
Lynn has over 25 years generalist HR operational and strategic experience, gained within the private sector for “blue chip” international and national companies as well as the public and voluntary sectors for regional and local organisations.
Lynn has a Masters degree in Human Resource Management, is a Chartered Fellow of her professional body the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and is also qualified with the British Psychological Society in psychometric testing. She also lectured at Tyneside Metropolitan College teaching the CIPD Certificate in Personnel Practice to predominantly experienced HR practitioners.
With its people and culture at the centre of the company’s ongoing success and its exceptional staff retention rate, Lynn plays a vital role in making sure people are constantly nurtured and developed at The Specials Laboratory.
Jan Armstrong
Head of MarketingJan is the company’s head of marketing and is responsible for all internal and external brand communications as well as assisting the MD on various projects.
After starting her career at Robinson Healthcare in Derbyshire, over 10 successful years she progressed up the ranks in the company’s Marketing team before leaving as a Brand Manager for the company’s flagship cotton wool range working on both brand and own label.
After moving to the North East, Jan was appointed as a Brand Manager at Jackel International where she enjoyed roles across several of the company’s well-known brands working with the retail and consumer side of the business dealing with retailer promotions and marketing campaigns with accounts such as Mothercare, Boots and Tesco.
With a Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) Advanced Certificate in Marketing, Jan is an experienced professional who brings a great deal of knowledge and passion to her role of promoting The Specials Laboratory’s respected brand name among all its stakeholders.
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0800 028 4925
0800 083 4222
