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Haseeb Ahmad

Life Sciences Leader

Haseeb Ahmad is the President of Novartis Europe, a significant leadership role within the pharmaceutical company. He previously served as the Managing Director for Novartis UK and Ireland, where he was also the Country President. Ahmad has a robust background in the pharmaceutical industry, bringing nearly 20 years of experience, including over 13 years in the UK market. Before joining Novartis, he was the Managing Director for Merck Sharp and Dohme in Greece, Cyprus, and Malta.12

In his role at Novartis, Ahmad has focused on fostering a strong organizational culture and enhancing employee engagement, believing that a motivated workforce drives better performance. He has emphasized the importance of purpose within the company, aiming to ensure that no patient in the UK has to wait for access to innovative treatments.23

Ahmad's leadership has been characterized by navigating significant changes within the company, including shifts in strategy and market positioning, particularly in light of challenges such as Brexit. He aims to position the UK as a reference market for Novartis and to bring innovative therapies to patients more rapidly compared to other countries.24

Highlights

Aug 7 · linkedin

In my early years, in the 1980s, when growing up in the UK there were scenes on the streets reminiscent of what we are seeing today but they tended to be one group of people against establishment. We had not really seen such division within communities and certainly not in my home city - Liverpool - where we were always united.

My parents always over indexed on providing a positive view of the world and humanity.

In times of turmoil, it's vital to remember that our true divisions are not defined by race, colour, gender, or faith. Instead, they stem from the cards we are dealt and the choices we make.

When we embrace understanding and empathy, we rise above the illusions of division. True wisdom unites us, while ignorance only builds walls. Let's strive for a world where our shared humanity takes precedence over perceived differences.

There is only one race. The human race.

Jun 13 · linkedin

It’s no secret that I love football. I can trace my competitive drive to when my father would take me to watch my beloved Liverpool Football Club play as a child – the endless highs and lows of chasing success that united the working-class city where I grew up.  In many ways I believe being a Liverpudlian is a superpower that has helped me to deal with the challenges and opportunities that life throws at you. Watching those games and how the team interacted with the community showed me what can be achieved through human connection. As I’ve learned throughout my career, your actions resonate and determine the result at the end of the game or performance cycle.

Liverpool’s now former manager, Jürgen Klopp, is a great example of a leader who understood the impact of actions. He knew how important it was to establish a growth mindset where every person involved in the club felt valued as an integral part of their journey. Klopp encouraged his players to embrace challenges, use feedback as a learning opportunity and use failure as a pathway to success. Despite falling short in two competitions, he insisted that the team celebrate after they became the first British side in half a century to play in every game of every tournament they entered.

It’s one thing to hear chants of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” reverberate across Anfield, but to see it reflected in their leader's actions has been inspirational for me and people across Merseyside.  

Like many of my fellow Kopites, it was a bittersweet feeling to see Klopp announce he would be leaving Liverpool at season's end. The photo below is the view from my seat at his last game. I still feel emotional now, which makes me question “why?”

The answer is that he represents far more than the manager of a football team.  What I will primarily admire him for is his leadership qualities that resonate beyond sport, teaching us how to delegate, motivate and inspire.

Many friends and colleagues ask me if I am afraid to be losing him as the manager of my club. The answer is that in a football sense, no.  Because Klopp is so much more than a football manager.  On top of tactical acumen, he has charisma, people development skills, man-management abilities, huge cultural impact and all with a dose of humility.  Often in life, and in business, we focus so much on functional competence when it is the behavioural competencies that provide the X-factor and create impact.

For anyone interested in learning more about Klopp’s leadership approach, I encourage you to read this article: https://lnkd.in/e_hgFDEv.

For me, the chase for success is rewarding and special. And if we fall short of our ambitions, know that your teams will support you, and in Klopp's words, "we'll go again".

Related Questions

What are Haseeb Ahmad's main priorities as President of Novartis Europe?
How has Haseeb Ahmad's leadership style impacted Novartis UK?
What challenges has Haseeb Ahmad faced since joining Novartis?
How does Haseeb Ahmad plan to address the healthcare reform in the UK?
What are Haseeb Ahmad's thoughts on the impact of Brexit on the life sciences industry?
Haseeb Ahmad
Haseeb Ahmad, photo 1
Haseeb Ahmad, photo 2
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Location

London, England, United Kingdom