James Read BSc Physics with Oceanography, 1992

Director of International Public Relations, Gilead Sciences

I work at Gilead Sciences as Public Affairs Director International, following a career with AstraZeneca, most recently as Public Relations Director in their Global Marketing division.

My undergraduate Physics degree was not only great fun, but also a great starting point for a career in which I need to combine an understanding of scientific principles and methodology, with an appreciation of the public mind.

My work involves managing the use of various communications media to ensure key audiences for the business are informed and engaged; I provide communications counsel to senior management; and I devise communication strategies as part of commercial and specialist teams.

My role serves a range of public audiences and internal colleagues across different functions and countries, including research and development, commercial operations, health policy, employee communications and corporate affairs.

My undergraduate Physics degree was not only great fun, but also a great starting point for a career in which I need to combine an understanding of scientific principles and methodology, with an appreciation of the public mind.

Scientific R&D is central to the pharmaceutical industry – it has a fundamental influence on our culture and it is at the heart of the ethical, commercial and corporatescene in this sector.