Professor Brian Smith gained his first degree, in chemistry, at Newcastle University and he began his career in our industry as a research chemist, synthesising experimental medicines. He then moved on to developing medical devices as a product development scientist. After several years in a white coat, Brian moved into medical marketing.

As a marketer, he launched several new products, managed other mature products, led marketing teams and was involved in the full range of medical marketing activities in both medical devices and diagnostics. During that time, he also gained the CIM’s post graduate diploma and for many years was an examiner for that qualification’s marketing strategy case study paper.

After 20 years in the industry, he moved to academia and gained a PhD at Cranfield University. His thesis explained why some pharmaceutical and medical technology companies make strong strategies but others don’t.

In the 20 years since then, he has:

• Interviewed hundreds of pharma and medtech executives about how their strategies and business models evolve.
• Edited the Journal of Medical Marketing
• Chaired the judging panel of the pharma marketing effectiveness awards.
• Advised many leading companies about brand strategy, product launches and merger, acquisition and alliance activity.
• Taught and directed research at the University of Hertfordshire, Bocconi University and University College London.
• Written 8 critically acclaimed books and over 300 academic papers and articles.