James Hargrave

What motivates you about your job?

Most of us have been affected by cancer in some way, I myself have recently lost loved ones. Working at Daiichi Sankyo means I know I am turning up every day to try and find ways to improve access to cancer care and to encourage further development in life sciences here in the UK.

Why did you choose Daiichi Sankyo as an employer?

I have been working in Oncology since 2019, where I have been lucky enough to work with leading researchers and oncologists. On a number of occasions I heard that the company is making big steps and changes in cancer care. Thus, when the chance came up to work with a company at the vanguard of that revolution, I leapt at it.

How do you experience the work culture at Daiichi Sankyo?

There is a great sense of a community of people at the start of something big. There is a huge amount of autonomy, as well as a great deal of professional respect for a bunch of skilled people who are trying to create a leading oncological company. It is often fast-paced, and we and we are often 'starting from scratch' with certain things; it is akin to ‘flying the airplane, building the airplane and laying the runway all at the same time’.

How has your personal journey at Daiichi Sankyo been?

Since starting with Daiichi Sankyo UK in summer 2022 it has been a great journey of learning and building. Learning the intricacies of the market access challenges that an innovator in medicine like us faces on the daily, as well as building a plan to support Daiichi Sankyo in becoming a top 3 oncology company by 2030.

If you had to describe Daiichi Sankyo in three words - what would they be?

Motivated, positive, thoughtful.