News | Friday, 20th July 2018
Economics graduate who became a pharmaceutical company CEO receives honorary doctorate
Paul Hudson, Chief Executive Officer of Novartis Pharmaceuticals, praised Manchester Metropolitan's 'inspiring and energising' degree experience
The chief executive of a multinational company has returned to Manchester Metropolitan University nearly 30 years after finishing an economics degree in order to receive an honorary doctorate recognising his contribution to the global pharmaceutical industry.
Manchester-born Paul Hudson, who is Chief Executive Officer of Novartis Pharmaceuticals, was named an honorary Doctor of Business Administration and addressed graduates at a graduation ceremony for the University's Faculty of Business and Law held yesterday (Thursday July 19).
Hudson, who graduated from Manchester Metropolitan in 1990 with a BA (Hons) in Economics, now oversees a workforce of 30,000 for the Novartis Pharmaceuticals unit, which commercialises innovative patent-protected medicines to enhance health outcomes for patients and healthcare providers.
After completing his degree, Hudson began a career in the pharmaceutical sector with roles in sales and marketing, holding positions of increasing responsibilities at different companies in various countries and being appointed Chief Executive Officer at Novartis Pharmaceuticals in July 2016.
'My time at Manchester Metropolitan University was a gift'
Drawing on his experience, Hudson told the Bridgewater Hall audience: "It is almost 30 years since I sat where you are sat and it has been quite a journey.
"For me, my time at Manchester Metropolitan University was a gift.
"It gave me some inspiring lecturers, people that stimulated my thinking and made me curious and energised and made me interested in business, in economics, in global opportunities, and in making things fair and equitable worldwide. They have inspired me to the career that I have gone on to have.
"At the same time the environment created back then was such that it was inclusive, diverse and energising and it gave us an opportunity to experiment and explore and to feel like we could take on anything.
"I am now a lifelong learner as part of the culture that I benefited from all those years ago.
"Manchester Metropolitan University gave me something even more special: it gave me lifelong friendships, people that I work with today and people that I have worked with over the years and people that I will meet regularly to share our experiences."
We in Manchester Metropolitan want to emulate the qualities Paul has used to gain his current success, in that we aim to create an energised and supportive environment where mentorship and encouragement is embedded in the culture of our students and staff
Extraordinary opportunities
Hudson explained vast workplace changes meant advances in technology such as data science, artificial intelligence, machine learning and automation provided the graduates with extraordinary opportunities to change the world. He said at the same time, in a world where technology is taking over, it is more important than ever to continue to invest in real human interactions and dedicate enough time to people.
He also encouraged the graduates to find a purpose in their work, to have strong values such as honesty, respect and integrity but also to have fun at work, saying: “For me, what has guided me throughout my career, is having a positive impact on patients’ and associates’ lives.
“I implore you that when you look back in 30 years on this day you are as proud of the institution as I am.”
Doing something meaningful
Hudson paid tribute to Yvonne Alexander, Professor of Cardiovascular Translational Science, who presented him to receive the honorary degree, saying: "It is places like here and work like hers that give us an absolutely wonderful chance to stand on the shoulders of foundational, translational science and do something meaningful."
Prof Alexander said: “We in Manchester Metropolitan want to emulate the qualities Paul has used to gain his current success, in that we aim to create an energised and supportive environment where mentorship and encouragement is embedded in the culture of our students and staff.”
Novartis Pharmaceuticals as a business unit is focused on several key therapeutic areas including cardio-metabolic, immunology and dermatology, neuroscience, respiratory and ophthalmology and is part of the Switzerland-based Novartis Group that in 2017 achieved net sales of $49.1billion.
