Nicola Redfern

With 5 years experience working in the gene therapy arena with a focus on reimbursement and commercialisation, Nicola is now exploring what next following her departure from bluebird bio in Europe. With a consistent focus over recent decades on rare disease/ oncology/ haematology and areas of unmet need, her primary attention has been on pricing and reimbursement, service delivery and shaping the external environment, alongside building high performing cross functional teams that have enjoyed working together. She has been in the pharmaceutical industry since 1989, joining from Martin House childrens hospice in Yorkshire, and has worked for 10 different companies to date in a diverse range of roles.

Nicola is committed to and motivated by patients having a choice and being able to access transformative treatment options quickly once science and innovation reaches a point to positively impact the lives of people living with significant health challenges.

As a member of the board of trustees at Naomi House and Jacks Place – a Hospice for children and young adults near Winchester in Hampshire, UK – and through working alongside multiple patient organisations over her career, she has a strong empathy and understanding of life limiting conditions and their impact on the individual, their families and society as a whole.

She has consistently demonstrated strong leadership capabilities – with a passion for developing and shaping new diverse teams, embedding a positive culture, helping individuals develop and leading them through defining their strategic focus and then driving the new initiatives through to completion.

Outside of work Nicola likes the theatre, cinema, reading, has a personal trainer, who she will endeavor to still see 3 times a week, and spends a significant amount of time with family and friends. She is clear that she loves her work and must enjoy the day to day challenges but also believes strongly that there are equally important things, outside of it that deserve time and attention. She therefore strives for a good balance and encourages her team and colleagues to do the same.