Stephen Aherne named leader of PwC’s UK Pharma and Life Sciences practice

PwC has appointed Stephen Aherne as leader of its UK Pharma and Life Sciences practice and to the health industries leadership team. 

With over 20 years’ experience at PwC as a valuation and strategy consultant, Stephen brings experience of working with leading pharma and life sciences businesses in the UK and globally.

As UK Pharma and Life Sciences leader, he is at the forefront of PwC’s support for the industry, leading discussions with business leaders, innovative emerging companies and investors across the various sub-sectors.

Stephen helps companies at a global and local level understand and assess the value of their businesses and assets, the implications of potential strategic options and the opportunities for value creation and growth. His deep commercial, technical and scientific insights help clients to identify the value drivers across a broad base of areas including, drug products, consumer healthcare, pharma services, diagnostics and devices, and innovative biotech.

The industry has been at the forefront of the global pandemic response. Stephen has been supporting companies as they navigate the challenges and demands of this highly uncertain global phenomenon; from understanding how to value companies in times of volatility, as well as considering the appropriate strategic options in the face of an unpredictable business environment. 

Quentin Cole, Government & Health Industries Leader at PwC, said:

“I am delighted to welcome Stephen to our health industries leadership team. The coronavirus pandemic has placed pharma and life sciences at the heart of the UK and global response. It’s clear from the UK Government’s 10 year Life Sciences Vision that the sector will continue to play a pivotal role in the economic recovery and remain at the heart of the UK’s industrial focus. Stephen brings a wealth of experience to lead our practice and support clients throughout their strategic progress, at a time when the sector has a unique opportunity to dramatically transform.”

Stephen Aherne, Pharma & Life Sciences Leader at PwC UK, added:

“The unprecedented demands on healthcare systems, patients’ lives, and the global economy over the last 18 months, have galvanised industry stakeholders to collaborate in ways unseen in the recent past. I’m really excited to be taking on the role at a time when the industry has a huge opportunity and responsibility to reinvent itself within the wider healthcare ecosystem, to reframe its purpose, to achieve monumental change in terms of patient outcomes in areas of unmet need, and in delivering affordable personalised medicines that can dramatically improve quality of life. The analysis of huge patient datasets, digitalisation and the technology explosion are already delivering huge benefits, while only scratching the surface. 

“I am delighted to be working with my industry colleagues and clients to support the sector during a transformational period, where existing and new emerging organisations will collaborate to disrupt and drive forward, what promises to be, a new era in pharma and life sciences.”