The Pharma Files: With Priyanka Hinton from CHASE

pharmafile | August 3, 2025 | Feature | Business Services, Recruitment | CHASE, The Pharma Files

Pharmafile chats with Priyanka Hinton, Customer Solutions Director at CHASE about the best parts of her job and her proudest moments.

What excites me about working in pharma is…

The pharmaceutical industry is not just about medicine – it’s about giving hope.

Internally, this sentiment is echoed in how organisations like CHASE have evolved. For example, our collaborations with the NHS and the life sciences industry are focused on models where the principal beneficiary is the patient.

In short, it’s the opportunity to be part of something bigger than myself – where science meets compassion and where every effort contributes to a healthier future for patients.

What I’m most proud of achieving in my career is…

It’s the privilege of contributing to public health, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic while working at NHS England. Navigating through the uncertainty, urgency and complexity, with one goal of protecting patients.

Equally, in the life sciences industry, where I’ve helped launch and scale access to new classes of medicines across some of the most complex and high-impact therapeutic areas – HIV, diabetes and oncology.

Across both sectors, it’s about delivering measurable impact to patients and reducing inequities.

The biggest change since I started working in pharma has been…

Over the last 25 years we seen several shifts, such as: scientific breakthroughs in treatment (mRNA and gene therapies); digital and AI reshaping commercial models and care pathways; globalisation and supply chain complexities; and importantly, the marked shift in patient centricity and access. We can no longer just launch medicines – we must be central to transforming the healthcare system.

The next big thing that I’m excited about is…

I’m excited about helping the NHS deliver its 10-Year Plan by supporting transformation from system to place level. Through our work at CHASE, we work directly with the NHS to deliver important services and we work with life sciences companies to deliver partnership working programmes – all of which will help to deliver the three shifts in the plan.

What motivates me the most is…

It’s knowing that my family are patients too. Every decision I make, every partnership I help build and every innovation I support is grounded in the belief that the people we serve aren’t just numbers or case studies – they’re someone’s parent, child, partner or friend. They’re my family, and yours.

The most important skill I’ve learnt is…

Knowing how to navigate complex matrix environments through building trust, influence and alignment across different organisations, departments and leadership levels.

Ultimately, it’s about being able to connect the dots between vision and delivery and doing so in a way that brings people with you.

The most difficult part of my job is…

Balancing strategic ambition with operational complexity – especially when working across multiple organisations, departments and systems that each have their own priorities, pressures and pace. It requires constant adaptation, emotional intelligence and the ability to influence.

The best advice I’ve been given is…

In a sector as dynamic and complex as healthcare and life sciences, it’s easy to compare your path to others or feel pressure to conform to traditional routes. But what I’ve learned is that the most meaningful progress comes when you stay true to your purpose, stay open to learning and embrace the discomfort that comes with growth.