Stig Bockman-Pedersen recently joined PQE Group’s US team as an Executive Consultant and CQV SME. We talked with Stig to learn more about his past, his role with PQE, and his plans for his new position.
1. Please introduce yourself to our audience by looking back at your education, training, and career path.
I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, and in addition, during my career in the Life Sciences, I have received significant training provided by clients while working on their projects and at their sites. Certified as a “Train the Trainer” by Eli Lilly, I have also had extensive OSHA training as well as cultural training for working in Asia. I was part of a team that developed and executed one of the first C&Q programs for a large pharmaceutical company that was based on the ISPE Baseline Guide Vol. 5 C&Q 1st Edition. As a result of my involvement in that program, I recognized the value of FATs and developed an entire FAT program, which became a good cost savings program once implemented. I also have performed several trainings for ISPE including Science and Risk-based C&Q – the Importance of Construction QA by C&Q at an ISPE Brussels Conference in September 2010, and at an ISPE Midwest (US) Conference in April 2013 – FAT in our World Today.
My career path started in the Oil and Chemicals industry; I then made the change to the Life Sciences Industry, beginning with a few years in Mining and Superskid Design Review and FATs. I have now accrued 32 years of experience in Life Sciences, working both within the industry and as a consultant. During these years, my experience includes revamping the C&Q process and procedures for a large global Vaccines manufacturer and for a global European CMO where I developed its C&Q program from scratch. The new FAT programs developed for the two companies created efficiencies and cost savings; they also created better relationships within the engineering groups.
During my career, I have evolved from a “validation engineer” with minimal knowledge to a highly experienced C&Q consultant specializing in Construction QA and FAT planning and execution.
2. Can you share more about your specific role at PQE Group? What are your main goals in this role, and what’s your favorite part about your job?
As a new member of PQE Group’s CQV Center of Excellence (CoE), I look forward to providing CQV services to new and existing clients, as well as to helping grow PQE’s presence in the US by introducing PQE’s outstanding services and experienced, knowledgeable consultants to the industry in the US.
Listening to potential clients’ needs and identifying the right solutions is what I like most about my job. Also, being new to the company, meeting all the wonderful people within PQE and learning about all the talent we have in-house is exciting and extremely motivating!
3. Can you tell us more about why companies should consider partnering with PQE Group and what type of services you offer to your clients?
PQE is a global, full-service Life Sciences consulting company providing Engineering, Data Integrity, Compliance, CQV, CSV, Training and Audits, to name a few of our services. PQE has more than 40 offices around the world and more than 2000 employees, which includes a large consulting staff located in numerous countries around the world, which can handle projects ranging from small and unique to large, multi-site projects. The diverse nationalities and languages allow for ease of communication in local languages.
4. Consulting is becoming a popular career path, particularly for engineers, scientists and medical professionals. What, in your opinion, are the top skills needed to be successful in a life science-focused consulting role?
This is a tricky question. Skills are learned so a good mentoring/training program is key. For instance, CQV is something that is not taught in school but typically learned on the job. Being open minded, curious, willing to learn, asking questions, and thinking “outside the box,” is useful. Throughout my career in Life Sciences I continue to use what’s left of my electrical engineering brain 😊 but over the years I have done more mechanical engineering-related work, something I was mentored on in many of the projects I worked on. As an example, the second life sciences project I was involved with was at a biologics facility and the design engineers, construction folks, and others were very happy to share with me their knowledge when I asked questions; I learned much from that single experience! Imagine how much one can learn over the years through experience, training, and being open to asking questions!
5. Now for the fun question – what is the best piece of advice that you’ve ever been given?
Have fun doing what you do and remember that what you do saves lives.
