Scientist, Entrepreneur, Advocate: A discussion with Ornella Barra, Executive Vice President of Walgreens Boots Alliance

A discussion with pharmacist and businesswoman Ornella Barra, Executive Vice President of Walgreens Boots Alliance.

Date: Tuesday June 16th 2015
Venue: Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory Lecture Theatre, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QR
Time: 3pm – 4pm
Drinks: 4pm – 4.45pm

This is a free event but please register online to guarantee your place.

Followed by a drinks reception in the historic Abbott’s Kitchen, former laboratory of Nobel laureate Professor Dorothy Hodgkin from 4pm - 4.45pm. Please note change of time!

This is a free event but please register online to guarantee your place.

Lecture Summary

One of the world’s top businesswomen, Ornella Barra has been described by Fortune magazine as ‘a driving force in Europe's healthcare industry’. A scientist by training, her success as an entrepreneur goes hand-in-hand with her commitment to research, education and social responsibility. Join Ornella as she discusses her career path from pharmacy graduate to Vice President (and the only female executive) of the world's largest pharmacy‐led health and beauty company, provides advice for graduates interested in bridging science and business, and describes a recent passion – supporting Macmillan Cancer Support to train Boots UK pharmacists to advise those affected by cancer.

Biography

One of Fortune magazine’s “50 Most Powerful Women in Business” for Europe, Middle East and Africa, pharmacist and businesswoman Ornella Barra is the Executive Vice President of Walgreens Boots Alliance, overseeing the company’s International Retail, Pharmaceutical Wholesale, and Corporate Social Responsibility divisions. Ornella graduated from the University of Genoa and started out as a chemist, first managing and then setting up her own pharmacy. She remains committed to scientific research and is an Honorary Professor and Honorary Doctor of Science at the University of Nottingham School of Pharmacy, as well as a lecturer on the MPharm course. She was instrumental in setting up a research partnership between Alliance Boots and the University of Manchester to further develop the understanding of skin ageing. Ornella also oversees all corporate social responsibility activities across Walgreens Boots Alliance, and was heavily involved in the Alliance Boots pan-European partnership with the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Charitable Trust as well as the partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support in the UK.