15 June 2010
DIRECTOR and co-owner of SCM Pharma, Fiona Cruickshank, has been awarded with an OBE following the unveiling of the Queen's annual 2010 Birthday Honours List.
One of the North-East's most popular and respected entrepreneurs, Fiona was given the prestigious title for her services to business in the region.
Fiona is one of only four pharmacists in the UK and two people in Northumberland to be made an officer of the Order of the British Empire for her work championing women in business as well as launching two successful Northumberland drugs companies.
Fiona said: "I was speechless when I found out, which is unusual for me, utterly gobsmacked.
"But when I thought about it I realised it was a great honour for all the people who have worked with me. I am very pleased that manufacturing and technology in the North East have been recognised in this way."
Fiona has enjoyed an extensive career in the pharmaceutical industry, spanning over 20 years since graduating from the London University School of Pharmacy in the late 80's. Before setting up The Specials Laboratory in 1999 and later SCM Pharma in 2004, she worked around the UK in community pharmacies, hospitals and industry.
A successful entrepreneur, Fiona is a leading business figure and is a former North East Woman Entrepreneur of the Year. Committed to supporting North East England's local knowledge economy Fiona is a business mentor at Durham University, an ambassador for the international One NorthEast campaign and recently completed an academic year as David Goldman Visiting Professor of Business Innovation, at Newcastle University Business School.
Fiona is also an active Volunteer Business Adviser for Young Enterprise North East and a Non Executive Chair of Musa Fine Art. In May 2010, she was appointed as a Trustee of the North Music Trust to help assist The Sage Gateshead in achieving its mission of becoming an international home for music and musical discovery with local roots.
ENDS
Media contact: Raman Sehgal at SCM Pharma
01661 838 186 / ramans@scm-pharma.com
