VH Bio is delighted to introduce Alison Wortley, our Managing Director, Immunologist at heart, environment advocate and spectacular scientist!
Describe what your job entails.
Ultimately responsible for the day to day running of the business and strategic development for the company. Developing and implementing long term business strategies in order to achieve company objectives and working closely with the management team to ensure that they share this vision. This includes applying processes and procedures, setting company wide KPI’s, setting budgets and forecasts, increase efficiencies and analyse opportunities for growth.
What is your career and/or education background?
After finishing my BSc(Hons) degree in Biomedical Science, I started work as a Scientist in the NHS in the field of transplantation, within this role I did further academic study gaining a MSc in Pathological Science and BSHI Diploma and eventually left a senior scientist role in the NHS for VH Bio Ltd, where I have remained ever since in various roles, HLA Product Specialist, HLA Product Manager, Technical Director and my current role as Managing Director.
What is your favourite part of the job?
Watching both the company and the individuals that make the company develop and grow.
In your opinion, what is the greatest advancement in the history of science?
I’m an Immunologist at heart and have always been fascinated with the immune system, its inherently unique and clever. But, in terms of ‘greatest advancement’ I will have to say the discovery of DNA, as since its discovery the progression in science has been phenomenal.
When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Not sure, I try and live day to day which makes reminiscing hard! Probably something theatrical like an actress, dancer or singer. Obsessed with musicals, the program ‘Fame’ and Kate Bush growing up!
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I’m a keen Gardener and try to live as self sufficiently as I can growing my own vegetables and fruit and try to avoid all forms of shopping as much as possible!
Very sporty; cycle, run, yoga and tennis all on a weekly/daily basis.
Like all forms of live music, love discovering new bands and going to gigs in small venues and festivals (not so much big arenas)
A keen theatre goer and go to nearly all Opera North and Northern Ballet company productions as well as some plays.
If you could be any animal, what you be and why?
Probably a dog (or maybe that is because I want one!) but they have a wonderful relationship with man and get all the good bits out of people (well most people).
Either that or the rabbits that keep sneaking in and eating my vegetables as I know at least these eat well!
What was the first car you owned?
Bertie was my very first car (red metro) – but he didn’t last very long (my fault! – let’s not talk about it). But then I got Oscar (silvery green ford focus mark 1); he lived with me for 10 years and we went everywhere together!
Describe your perfect weekend.
Very simple, get up late (at home in own bed); yoga, do some other sport like cycling or tennis; do a few hours in the garden. Go for a nice meal with friends followed by gig or theatre.
Sunday head to North York Moors go for a long walk and go for Fish and Chips by the coast before driving home.
What annoys you?
People who don’t take care of themselves and don’t try to be the best people they can possibly be.
People who don’t respect the planet we live on and take from it constantly without trying to make it a better place to be for all mankind.
If you were king or queen for a day, what one law would you change or introduce?
I would introduce a law that would mean that all business decisions should not be based on money alone.
If you had to eat one meal, every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Hummm, that’s a difficult one as hopefully there is a lot of meals left to eat. Probably sushi- as there is such variety and has such delicious accompaniments; I mean pickled ginger and wasabi. I also love the fussiness, time and ceremony in eating sushi.
If you were stuck on an island what three things would you bring?
Assuming there is WiFi- device for reading books, device for listening to music and my yoga mat; for me that’s not being ‘stuck’ that is a holiday!!
What is the first concert you attended?
I’m struggling to remember, I’ve been to a lot of gigs! But I think it was ‘The Stranglers’ in Manchester (this is the one I remember anyway)
5 famous people – dead or alive – that you would invite to a dinner party?
Sorry ladies it’s not that I don’t admire strong females too but it’s my dinner party:
Nick Cave
Quentin Tarantino
Irvine Welsh
Bob Mortimer
Jurgen Klopp
Not sure we will all understand one another- but I would be very happy!
Want to learn more about the VH Bio team? Browse through our news section to find further staff profiles or contact us to arrange a meeting!