Remedica CEO Andrew Bird: "My experience of the Cyprus pharmaceutical and business scene so far has been overwhelmingly positive"

"My experience of the pharmaceutical and wider business scene in Cyprus so far has been overwhelmingly positive. What has impressed me is the strong sense of purpose that exists within the local industry - people genuinely care about the quality of what they produce and the impact it has," Andrew Bird, the new CEO of Remedica, notes.

In an exclusive interview with CBN, Bird, who began the post in April, shares his vision for Remedica as CEO and also talks about how Cyprus compares to other places he has experience working in.

While currently based in Dubai with a regular and close connection to Cyprus and Remedica's headquarters, he also discusses the aspects of life on the island that have made a particular impression on him so far.

Your career began in the UK before taking you to the UAE region for a significant part of your working life. How did your decision to continue your career in Cyprus come about?

Despite its size, Cyprus has developed a highly sophisticated industry, with an excellent track record in exports, quality standards, and regulatory compliance. While I’m based at our Dubai office, the opportunity to join Remedica and contribute to its legacy, was a compelling next step in my career. I was drawn to Remedica because of its strong global outlook, commitment to quality, and its role as one of Cyprus’s leading pharmaceutical exporters.

Being based in Dubai places me close to key regional and international markets, while maintaining a close connection to Cyprus and our headquarters. It’s clear to me that Cyprus is a country where relationships are strong, people are passionate about their work, and there’s real room for growth. That combination of capability, ambition and heart is what made my decision an easy one.

How has your experience of the Cyprus pharmaceutical, and indeed wider business scene, been so far and how does it compare to your time elsewhere in the world?

My experience of the pharmaceutical and wider business scene in Cyprus so far has been overwhelmingly positive. What has impressed me is the strong sense of purpose that exists within the local industry - people genuinely care about the quality of what they produce and the impact it has.

Compared to other markets that I’ve worked in, where structures can sometimes be rigid or slow moving, and large organisations can be weighed down by bureaucracy, the Cyprus pharmaceutical scene offers a more dynamic and collaborative environment. Decisions can be made quickly, people are approachable and there’s a more human, grounded approach to doing business. This gives me confidence, not just in the company’s future, but in Cyprus as a growing player on the global stage.

What is your vision for Redemica as new CEO? Are there any specific actions you can share with us at this time?

My vision is to build on the company’s strong foundation. We have skilled teams, deep expertise, and a strong manufacturing base, and now the goal is to scale that impact even further. My priority right now is to listen carefully to our people - spend time with teams across the organisation to understand what’s working well, the day-to-day realities, any challenges, and the areas where we can improve.

Enhancing operational efficiency is crucial, because as we grow, our ability to work smarter, faster, and with more flexibility will be a real competitive advantage and will enable us to respond to market needs with more agility. By freeing up time and energy our teams can focus on what matters most: quality, innovation and patient impact, and spend more time solving problems, improving outcomes and adding real value.

What are some of the main messages you hope to pass on to the employees as their new CEO?

One of the main messages I want to share with our employees is that success is never the result of one person. Every role here is essential - from research and production to quality control, logistics and support teams. In a company like Remedica, where we are trusted to deliver high-quality, life-saving medicines, there’s no such thing as a small job, each person’s contribution has real effect and purpose. And it is important to do your job with ethics and integrity, treating everybody as you wish to be treated yourself, regardless of your rank.

I want our people to feel connected to the bigger picture - to see how their day-to-day efforts translate into real impact for patients and communities. And they need to love their job - if they love it then they will do a good job, if not, they need to do something about it. However, beyond the tasks and responsibilities of each role, who you are matters. Your ideas, your integrity, your commitment – all of it makes the difference.

More widely, what do you consider to be some of the most exciting trends in the global pharmaceutical industry?

There are several trends shaping the pharmacutical industry right now and open up incredible opportunities - not only for growth, but for improving health outcomes on a global scale. One trend is tailoring treatments based on genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors, transforming care for a one-size-fits-all model to highly individualised therapies, leveraging data analytics and AI. This has the potential to increase efficacy, reduce side effects, and ultimately change the way we approach care.

Digital health integration with tools like remote monitoring, patient apps, and real-time data platforms offers pharmaceutical companies deeper insights into individual patient needs, behaviours, and responses to treatment, so they are able to enhance their product offerings and improve patient engagement and adherence, which directly contributes to better treatment outcomes and patient satisfaction.

On a more personal level. Have any aspects of life in Cyprus made a particular impression on you so far? Are there aspects of life on the island you are looking forward to exploring further?

Several aspects of life in Cyprus have made a strong impression on me already. The warmth and hospitality of the people stand out - there’s a genuine sense of community that I’ve found both welcoming and inspiring. I’ve also been struck by the island’s balance of rich history and modern progress, which in many ways mirrors Remedica’s own journey of combining heritage with innovation in healthcare.

What I’m keen to understand more deeply is how the local culture influences business practices and explore how Remedica can contribute even more to the island’s development – economically, socially, and scientifically. It’s an exciting time to be here, and I’m eager to continue learning from the culture, the people, and the unique strengths that make Cyprus such a dynamic place to live and work in.