Dr Paul Johnson, BSc, PhD

Dr Paul Johnson was born in Bromborough in Merseyside and attended Wirral Grammar School prior to graduating with a BSc in biochemistry from Sheffield University. In 1976 he gained a  PhD in biochemistry from the University of Liverpool working in the laboratory of Professor Huw Rees. He researched coronary artery disease in the Regional Adult Cardio-Thoracic Unit, then based at Sefton General Hospital in Liverpool, before joining the ethical pharmaceutical industry with Eli Lilly and Company in 1980 at the Speke manufacturing site in Liverpool.

Through 27 years experience with Eli Lilly both in Europe and the USA Paul worked in corporate and European headquarters operations at the executive level and in significant general management positions in the UK and USA within human resources, manufacturing, and R&D. During this time he also held global responsibilities covering India, China, Japan and Latin America. Prior to retiring in 2007 he held the position of managing director of Lilly Research UK based in Surrey. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the UK affiliate and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Lilly Pension Group.

Paul was an active member of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee, the CBI Science and Technology Committee, the National Association of Pension Funds Benefits Council and a board member of the Coalition for Medical Progress.