Paul spent over 35 years in healthcare marketing and dedicated 27 of those to Cello Health Consulting, which he co-founded in 1994. He later served as the consultancy’s director and then as its vice president. Beyond Cello, Paul held roles at Sterling Health, Milupa and most recently Alternative Foods, where he had been serving as non-executive.
Alongside his employment, Paul was committed to celebrating and supporting the healthcare industry. His involvement with PMEA is just one example of this and he is credited with having been instrumental in developing the Awards, initially working as a judge in 2015, then as group head and finally as chair from 2019 to 2022.
Stephanie Hall, founder and chief executive officer of Uptake picked up the baton as chair last year. She said: “Paul was a great chair of the PMEA judges over a number of years, leading the judging group and sessions with clear direction, commitment to excellence in our industry and guiding the group to ensure we made the strongest judging decisions.
“I respected his judgement enormously, as he would look for clear, measurable objectives, a tight strategy or approach and positive outcomes and outputs, looking for the gold in award entries. He made a significant contribution across the pharmaceutical industry and will be missed by all who knew him.”
Debbie Tuesley, events director at PMGroup, worked closely with Paul during his involvement with the Awards. She said: “Paul’s input and support in developing PMEA has been invaluable over the years and he will be much missed both professionally and personally. My deepest condolences to his family and friends.”
With decades of experience, Paul was no stranger to using what he had learned over the course of his career to encourage and further his fellow pharma marketers. He also made a significant contribution to PME with articles detailing his insights and expert advice on key industry topics, including launch excellence, channel strategy and forecasting.
Christopher Marks, principle of the Chris Marks Consultancy, first met Paul over three decades ago at Sterling Health. “I think it is fair to suggest that Paul helped shape the careers of a huge number of pharma marketers around the world. He certainly shaped mine by helping me at a low point in my life and career,” he said.
He continued: “Paul was never happier than when he was able to share his thinking, knowledge and experience by being a partner, trainer, coach or mentor to so many of us, or simply by being a sounding board when we needed help or guidance.”
Stephen Highley, retired group chief operating officer and chairman at Cello Health, shared a similar sentiment: “Paul was passionate about his profession, providing consultancy advice in marketing, branding and strategy, and absolutely loved training and mentoring… Clients loved working with him and he had a positive impact on so many people who went on to become very senior and successful in their own right. He was a dear friend and a true marketing professional. He will be missed.”
Beyond his work life, Paul was a devoted husband and father, an enthusiastic gardener, an enjoyer of fine wines and decent rugby matches, and always made time for friends, Marks noted. He added that, in his younger days, Paul was a hot air balloon pilot, scuba instructor, wine maker in the Australian vineyards and involved in driving Land Rovers in Sudan.
“He was always a true friend who was loyal and supportive, and will be sorely missed. RIP big fella,” Marks said.