Key strengths
- Organised problem solver – loves a plan but not put off by the unknown
- Likes to connect the dots and think strategically
- Doesn’t give up on a challenge – excels under pressure
- Enjoys process of collaboration involved in leading or being part of a team
- Thrives in purpose-driven environments
- Bilingual to business proficiency (English and Spanish)
Bio
Before On Purpose, Saira spent five fantastic years in the world of healthcare and life sciences, helping large multinationals to launch their products onto the commercial market. With this role, she worked primarily in leading client-facing projects to completion and her areas of expertise were strategic advisory, product portfolio management and reimbursement strategy. She worked mostly in the London offices, although had a stint of seven months based in the USA (Boston) and always worked in internationally-diverse teams. Her interest in work with a social aspect largely stemmed from her experiences volunteering in a few different countries, which finally led to the all-encompassing question ‘isn’t there a way to combine social and business interests?’.
Hence her arrival onto the On Purpose programme, where she has not only rounded out her healthcare experience by gaining public sector perspective, but also put her existing expertise to use in new contexts. Her year at On Purpose has also given her the opportunity to grapple with new skills and learn about new content areas –public policy, change management and operations at a growing start-up, to name a few.
Saira undertook her undergraduate in International Relations & History at the LSE, before accepting a part-scholarship to attend London Business School for her Masters in Management in 2009.
Placement 1: NHS
- Oversaw design and management of project to procure and implement a digitalisation programme to change business practice
- Managed internal process of change to fortify different teams (business, administration and clinical teams) for change in business processes
- Reinvigorated patient group to strengthen and optimise its interplay with wider organisation
- Developed processes for project management best practice
Placement 2: Collaborate
- Primary project management lead for health commission run by Collaborate and external partner
- Assisted in design and pricing of new product for a group of non-for-profit organisations working in partnership
“Saira is the most honest person I have ever met, but in a way that’s funny, constructive and easy to take on board. At an early team meeting Saira offered up the thought that “considering we call ourselves, ‘Collaborate’ we aren’t very Collaborative”. She was right of course but she then helped to facilitate a team day where we unpicked this, reflected upon it and did something about it – and had a lot of fun at the same time.”
– Sarah Billiald, Managing Director, Collaborate
A little more about me…
Something my CV doesn’t tell you: My family is from Kerala (India) and I try to go as often as I can – one of the most beautiful places in the world (not that I’m biased).
The greatest thing I’ve learnt this year: Nothing in this world worth having comes easy.
The best moment of On Purpose so far: Induction training – I realised I was in a room full of really like-minded but diverse, interesting people who I’d get to spend the next year with.
What social enterprise means to me: To me social enterprise is logical; it just makes sense to try and get the best of both worlds by merging social and commercial aims.
My favourite book / the book that changed me: El Otro Árbol de Guernica by Luis de Castresana. The tale really stuck with me – it is beautifully told, entwined with Spanish history throughout and very inspiring.