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EMEA/We’re encouraging diversity in STEM careers
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We’re encouraging diversity in STEM careers

We’re encouraging diversity in STEM careers

How a talent development and community impact programme in the UK is encouraging young students to choose careers in science, technology engineering and maths

At Janssen, we want to create a workforce that is healthy, inspired and – crucially– reflective of the diverse people we serve. Because we believe that by creating a mix of people in our workforce that reflects the world around us, we’ll be better equipped to achieve our goal of creating a future where disease is a thing of the past.

Empowering our employees is cornerstone of our Environmental, Social and Justice policy, something whose progress we measure at the end of each year in our Health for Humanity report – we’ve just released 2021’s report which looks at the 21 Health for Humanity goals that we’re aiming to hit by 2025.

This year, we saw a really exciting and innovative programme in the UK which aims to encourage a more diverse healthcare workforce by providing young people with opportunities to pursue a career in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths). The Johnson & Johnson STEM Scholars Programme was created to support Black students studying STEM in further education. It’s a five-year program championed by the Johnson & Johnson Innovation Centre in London which supports 25 students for two years, and then a cohort of up to 10 students for a further three years during their time at university.

The idea is for the students to gain understanding of the healthcare industry and STEM careers, that will enable them to gain experience through work experience and paid internships at Johnson & Johnson UK locations, while being supported by a Johnson & Johnson mentor.

And it works for us too. Programmes like this are key to making sure our company is representative of the region we sit in. As Rhoda Steel, UK CSR Lead, Johnson & Johnson, says: “At Johnson & Johnson UK, a key priority is to invest in the next generation of healthcare talent and to ensure that young people everywhere have the opportunity to fulfill their dreams, regardless of their ethnicity, background or circumstances. This programme will help build a more diverse talent pool for Johnson & Johnson and create a stronger and more resilient healthcare workforce.”

Nerida Scott
Nerida Scott
Nerida Scott
Nerida Scott is the Regional Head, Johnson & Johnson Innovation, EMEA, located at the Innovation Centre in London, UK. In this role, Nerida oversees the EMEA portfolio of co-investments and collaborations to construct, prioritize and advance the early external innovation portfolio of Johnson & Johnson. She identifies and accelerates science and technology outside the company in areas of strategic value to consumer health, medical devices and pharmaceuticals, exploring new models to support external R&D collaboration and grow early-stage innovation networks.

Nerida has been an integral part of the Johnson & Johnson Innovation team since 2015. She was Vice President New Ventures & Transactions, and she led a senior team to identify, develop and execute early-stage transactions with diverse partners in the life sciences ecosystem, including academia, venture capital, entrepreneurs, NGOs and governmental organizations.

Before joining Johnson & Johnson, Nerida was Director for Business Development & Licensing and Executive Team member at Vernalis PLC, a UK biotech company with US commercial activities, responsible for transactions from evaluation through negotiation to closing. Before that, Nerida worked in business development at RiboTargets, a biotech building on Nobel Prize-winning science from the lab of Venki Ramakrishnan. Her experience also includes The Boston Consulting Group in London, where she was a project leader providing strategic counsel to clients on M&A opportunities, R&D, manufacturing, and business strategies.

Nerida has a broad background in operational and commercial activities with over 25 years of diverse business and transaction experience, including acquisitions and divestments in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries.

Professional Achievements & Organizations
  • Member of the UK Government’s Life Sciences Council as the Industry Innovation Lead
  • Board member of the UK BioIndustry Association (BIA)
  • Member of the Jonson & Johnson UK Leadership council
  • Board member of Johnson & Johnson Innovation Ltd.


Education
  • Biochemistry B.Sc (Hons), University of Sydney, Australia
  • PhD in Biochemistry as the Prince of Wales’ scholar, Trinity College, Cambridge University, UK