Your Searchlight for
Life Science HR Success

Our purpose

People are at the heart of everything we do, so working with people to solve the most common people-critical challenges in the life sciences industry feels right.

Our mission is to unite CHROs from across the life sciences industry, allowing them to work collaboratively to solve shared challenges, save time, and offer new ideas as they prepare for the next people challenge.

LEAP CHRO: Searchlight | Core Values, Clarity

Clarity

Searchlight gives life science leaders clarify to see where opportunity lies. Helping companies to move forward faster is at the heart of the network. 

2

Custodians

We are the custodians of the LEAP CHRO: Searchlight communities on behalf of our members; engaged in the constant pursuit of added value. 

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Communication

The quality of information is the difference between success and failure. Searchlight is the destination to find the latest information, trends and solutions impacting the Life Sciences HR industry. 

4

Connection

Building strong relationships creates an environment of trust and support that yields opportunity, progress, partnership and meaning. 

Don't just take our word for it...

Sally Paull, Chief Human Resources Officer, Regeneron

“We’re all consumed 100 hours a week with the demands of our roles. We just don’t have time to individually build relationships with peers. But one of the reasons Searchlight brings me so much value is because it allows me to work with brilliant people to tackle shared challenges together. I love that I can now pick up the phone and talk to my new network about what’s on my mind whenever I need to.”

Stephanie Franklin, Chief Human Resources Officer, Vertex

“Our long term flexwork strategy has been directly influenced by what we’ve heard our peers doing and thinking about in our Searchlight meetings, and at an even more granular level, we’ve picked up a number of examples of really useful specific language that we’ve heard others coining and applied it directly into our organization. It’s been so useful at such a challenging time for all of us.”

Martin Rexroad, Chief Culture & Community Officer, PTC Therapeutics

Searchlight gives me confidence that I’m heading in the right direction. I can use this network to affirm I’m on track and course correct where I need to. And just like a GPS, you don’t look at it the whole time when you’re driving, you check it from time to time. I don’t need a hundred thousand data points. I need the top thinkers in my industry, and those top thinkers have gravitated towards Searchlight.”

Meet our team

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Gareth Pearce

Managing Director

Gareth established and is responsible for developing the strategic direction of the Searchlight business within Hanson Wade, ensuring continues to add demonstrable value to every member as it scales. Gareth has successfully built and grown information businesses in the US, Europe, Asia and the Middle East during a 20 year entrepreneurial career. He holds a first class degree in Politics and earned a postgraduate Certificate in International Business Practice from the Mountbatten Institute in New York.

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James Milburn

Senior Community Development Manager

James’s life sciences experience begin by helping key opinion leaders network and share ideas around the application of cutting-edge technology, the pursuit of novel pharmacochemical pathways and the development of new drug modalities. Prior to Hanson Wade, James completed an undergraduate degree in Biomedical Sciences and followed this up with an MSc in Human Nutrition. In his free time, he enjoys endurance running and all types of outdoor activities.

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Karolina Hasiec

Community Development Manager

Karolina is dedicated to delivering year-round insights and connections to Searchlight members. She is excited to identify and apply the recent learnings to reimagine the institutions, policies, and tools we use across the Life Sciences to address global health needs for all. Prior to joining the Searchlight Networks team, Karolina completed an MSc in Applied Neuroscience and followed this up with a Neuroimaging course. In her free time, she trains boxing and enjoys playing volleyball.

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Ian Appleby

Divisional Head of Searchlight Sales

Ian is a sales professional who has many years of experience delivering sales excellence training to teams in many varied sectors. This translates demonstrably into value for clients. He has a passion for sales methodologies which put the client at the centre of what we do. The companies he has worked for include Informa, EMAP, The Middle East Economic Digest and The Economist. He has travelled extensively with his work taking him across North Africa, the Gulf States and the Levant. He has launched, transitioned and re-designed many subscriptions business to bring them in line with the digital age.

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Adam Daly

Commercial Lead

As the Searchlight groups seek new members who share the same forward-thinking mindset, Adam is responsible for facilitating new memberships. Adam achieved his undergraduate degree in Environmental Sciences at Newcastle University, before he started his journey at Hanson Wade in Delegate Sales. Adam wanted to help grow and expand the Network with members dedicated to helping each other, this is what drew him to work in the Searchlight Team.

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Caylee Donaldson

Head of Marketing

Caylee joined Hanson Wade in 2022 to lead the new divisions marketing team responsible for Searchlight by Hanson Wade, Hanson Wade Intelligence, and free-to-attend events. Caylee is passionate about responsible marketing and creating strategic tactical plans designed to deliver real value to our communities, customers, and clients. Caylee graduated from the Institute of Data and Marketing with a level 7 post graduate diploma in data driven marketing.

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Charlotte Harrison

Senior Marketing Manager

Biography coming soon...

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George Nelson

Marketing Assistant

George graduated from the University of Birmingham in 2023 with an MA in Creative Writing, following an undergraduate degree in English Literature. She is excited to develop her strategic and analytical abilities as she assists in marketing the Searchlight networks. She practices taekwondo and enjoys reading about natural history in her free time.

Do you have unanswered questions?

Interested in becoming a member but have a few questions?
We would love to hear from you!