Nationality: British/American | Year of birth: 1964
A scientist by training, John D. Young has over 35 years of experience in the healthcare industry and will bring a wealth of experience in leadership, strategy, business development and commercialization of innovative medicines to the Novartis Board of Directors. He joined Pfizer in 1987 as a sales representative and held positions of increasing seniority across the company, including as a member of Pfizer’s executive leadership team from 2012. As Pfizer’s group president and chief business officer from 2019 until 2022, John also played an integral role in the development and delivery of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.
Professional experience
- Senior advisor to the CEO, Pfizer, US (January‑June 2022)
- Group president and chief business officer, Pfizer, US (2019‑2022)
- Group president, innovative health business, Pfizer, US (2018)
- Group president, essential health business, Pfizer, US (2014‑2017)
- President and general manager, global primary care business unit, Pfizer, US (2012‑2013)
- Regional president, primary care business unit for Europe and Canada, Pfizer, UK (2009‑2012)
- Various managerial positions, Pfizer, UK and Australia (1987‑2008)
Mandates
- Board member, Johnson Controls International, Ireland
- Board member, Arvinas Inc, US
- Board member, Imbria Pharmaceuticals, US
- Board member, Haleon, UK (2022-February 2023)
- Board member, GSK Consumer Health Joint Venture, UK (2019-2022)
- Board member, Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), US (2018-2021)
- US bio-pharmaceutical representative, UK Government Life Sciences Council, UK (2007‑2021)
- Board member, National Committee for US China Relations, US (2014-2017)
- Board member, European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA), Belgium (2012-2017)
Education
- Master of business administration, University of Strathclyde, UK
- Bachelor’s degree in biological sciences, University of Glasgow, UK
Key skills
- Medicine/healthcare/R&D
- Leadership/management
- Finance/accounting
- Law/regulatory/risk management