Exscientia creates new chief people officer role

Exscientia, an Oxford-based biotech company, has appointed Caroline Rowland as its first-ever chief people officer.

Caroline’s new role will see her leading the firm’s People (human resources) and Places functions while developing its talent, training and employee experience strategies.

Caroline will report to Exscientia’s CEO and founder, Andrew Hopkins, DPhil. He said: “Exscientia was founded to create an entirely new type of biopharma company, re-engineered to integrate technologists and drug discovery scientists who share a passion for using technology to make better medicines, faster.

“In recent years, we’ve expanded our global footprint rapidly, and ensuring that our unique culture persists as we scale is critical. Caroline brings over 20 years of global experience in optimising organisational effectiveness and unlocking higher levels of company performance through operational growth and a sense of belonging.

“Caroline’s expertise and guidance will be invaluable in helping Exscientia excel as a globally diverse and innovative organisation.”

Caroline joins Exscientia from Arm, where she held multiple roles of increasing responsibility and led the firm’s talent, business partnering, shared services, global integration and diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. Her final title upon exiting was Vice President of Talent.

Prior to Arm, Caroline spent eight years leading executive performance strategy, global mobility and talent management at Diageo; and five years as a Management Consultant advising corporate clients with Human Capital, Deloitte, where she was seconded to Hyderabad, India as well as New York.

She currently serves as a board member for not-for-profit the Cambridge Network, which focuses on bridging the technology and education sectors of Cambridge, England. Caroline holds a BSc. in Business Studies and Human Resource Management from the University of Salford.

Caroline said: “Exscientia is a cutting-edge and purpose-driven organisation with aspirations to redefine the drug development landscape. To support this mission, I believe that differentiating the employee experience by cultivating an empowering, creative and supportive environment is essential to success.

“I am motivated by the opportunity to contribute to this exceptional success story and create and deliver on strategies that, at their heart, empower individuals and drive performance and community.”