Dr Nic Horridge to take the helm as Roche Pharma GM

Pharma News: In a move that signals a new era of leadership for Roche Pharmaceuticals Australia, the company has announced the appointment of Dr Nic Horridge as the incoming General Manager. Dr Horridge, a New Zealander, currently serves as the General Manager of Roche Pharma South Korea. He is set to assume his new role on 1 February 2024, as he takes over from Stuart Knight, who has devoted 31 years to Roche and is set to retire in February of the same year.

Dr Horridge led Roche Pharma South Korea in its agile transformation to build a new organisation which is fast and flexible in dealing with the evolving healthcare environment, while focused on creating value for patients and customers. Notably, Roche Korea also introduced the scrum methodology, which involves small cross-functional teams working in iterative processes. This innovative approach has not only enhanced productivity but also facilitated continuous learning while conserving valuable time and resources.

Furthermore, Dr Horridge spearheaded the implementation of the “One Roche” strategy in South Korea, an initiative that encourages synergy between Roche’s pharmaceutical and diagnostic businesses. This collaborative approach has proved instrumental in addressing various diseases that necessitate a combination of diagnostic solutions and medications, such as Alzheimer’s and ophthalmic diseases.

Speaking about his forthcoming role as General Manager of Roche Australia, Dr Horridge expressed his excitement and humility “to lead our very important operation in Australia. And although far from our HQ in Switzerland, I hope to ensure strong connections that bring value to our people, our customers and ultimately patients.”

He emphasised the significance of the Australian healthcare system, saying “The healthcare system in Australia is modern and sophisticated and Aussies, rightly, have high expectations of their care. I believe that we have a significant role to play in contributing positively to this. And I know that we have a great team in Roche Australia and I’m really looking forward to working together in service of our vision to deliver better outcomes for more patients faster.”

Dr Horridge conveyed his passion for making a meaningful impact in healthcare. “I’m passionate about making a difference in healthcare and a key role that I feel a strong obligation to is bringing the innovative medicines from Roche’s rich pipeline and ensuring that they are available for every patient in Australia who needs them. More broadly I’m also looking forward to contributing to the ongoing dialogue in healthcare equity and sustainability in Australia,” he said

Beyond his role at Roche, Dr Horridge currently serves as the Vice-Chair at the Korea Research-based Pharma Industry Association and is a board member of the Swiss-Korean Business Council. His remarkable journey within the pharmaceutical industry has seen him hold executive positions in diverse regions, including Vietnam, New Zealand, Malaysia, and Switzerland, since joining Roche in 2005.

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