Polly Cooper, Clinical Development Function Head, UK; rejoined Novartis amid AI-driven transformation
Full Circle: A Story of Growth, Purpose and Coming Home to Novartis | Novartis
People and Culture Full Circle: A Story of Growth, Purpose and Coming Home to Novartis Polly Cooper, Clinical Development Function Head, UK Apr 28, 2026 I had always dreamed of working with racehorses; however, my father encouraged me to stay at school and finish my A levels. So, I followed the sensible path: taking the exams, moving to Covent Garden, London, and starting work as an estate agent. I really loved that job yet a part of me never let go of the dream of becoming a jockey. So, I took a chance and started a job in racing based in Ascot, however it was not the career for me and I returned home six months later unsure of what would come next. As fate would have it, my uncle, a medic, was visiting from Australia. He had such fascinating stories of his work as a Diplomat - being in Tiananmen Square during the revolution and then in Red Square in China for the riots. He inspired me to open my mind to new possibilities. He was also the one who spotted an ad in the newspaper for a Lab Technician role at CibaGeigy and encouraged me to apply. I had no formal scientific qualifications, although I’d always loved science thanks to my unforgettable teachers who had brought it to life in school. I was convinced I wouldn’t be hired. I must have displayed something in those interviews, because to my amazement, a week before my 21st birthday I stepped into the labs as part of the formulation development team for over-the-counter medicines. It was exciting, energizing - and it felt like the start of a real career. As time went on, I noticed my colleagues had qualifications I didn’t yet hold. If I wanted to grow, I needed to invest in myself. Supported by the company, I spent one day a week studying for my Higher National Certificate in Pharmaceutical Science, and then for my Pharmacology degree. When CibaGeigy merged with Sandoz in 1996, I found myself part of the newly created Novartis - a turning point that opened doors into Clinical Pharmacology and later into a series of roles that shaped the career I’m so grateful for today. Support from colleagues and leaders who believed in me made everything possible, even my MBA sponsorship. I saw a company transformed - more focused, more technologically advanced, integrating AI into daily decision making and strengthening its identity as a pure-play innovative medicines company anchored in five core therapeutic areas. It felt like stepping back into the future. Polly , Clinical Development Function Head, UK Redundancy, Reinvention… and an Unexpected Homecoming More than a decade later, when Novartis closed the UK site in Horsham, I had the chance to relocate to Basel. But with a newborn at home, the timing just wasn’t right. I left and transitioned into a leadership role in Pharmaceutical Product Development (PPD) - fascinating work, fast-paced and deeply engaging. Yet I found myself missing something: the full picture of drug development that Novartis offered. Contract Research Organizations (CROs) taught me depth and speed. Whereas Novartis had always offered breadth, integration and the sense that all parts of the puzzle connected under one roof. In 2025 when the company I was working for restructured, I found myself looking ahead and asking myself what I truly wanted next. I knew I didn’t want ‘more of the same’ - I wanted growth, purpose, stretch. When I saw Novartis was hiring again in the UK, I applied. I didn’t get the first role - and that was humbling. It reminded me that Novartis truly attracts exceptional talent, and you need resilience and belief in yourself to put yourself amongst those people. Re- energised, I re-entered the process and was eventually rehired into my current role - and it genuinely felt like coming home. There were the familiar faces, some of the same projects, and the same culture of humanity that makes Novartis special. Yet I also saw a company transformed - more focused, more technologically advanced, integrating AI into daily decision making and strengthening its identity as a pure-play innovative medicines company anchored in five core therapeutic areas. It felt like stepping back into the future. What would I say to anyone thinking of returning to or joining Novartis? This place is extraordinary - not because of buildings or branding, it’s because it invests in people. When I left, I gained invaluable experience across other organizations. But coming back allowed me to channel everything I had learned into helping others with opportunities to grow. Novartis supported my education and development; now I get to pay it forward. If you’re considering returning as an alum - or joining for the first time - ask yourself: What energy will you bring? What curiosity drives you? How deeply do you care about people and patients? Where do you want your talent to make an impact? Because if you bring ability, agility and aspiration, this is a place where you can thrive - and help reimagine medicine for the world. Learn more about opportunities across R&D here: Career Search | Novartis
...