Through his work at the Faculty, he has made significant contributions to the establishment of the specialty training programme in pharmaceutical medicine, which has now resulted in around 400 post-graduate trainees receiving a CCT in the specialty.

In 2021, he was awarded a Fellowship of the Academy of Medical Sciences in recognition of his significant involvement in supporting the development of medicines across several therapeutic areas, most notably in the field of cell and gene advanced therapeutics.

Alan career originally began with Glaxo Group Research Ltd. Then from 1988, he led ICI’s cardiovascular medical research team, later assuming the role of Director of Clinical and Medical Affairs at ICI Pharma in Canada. 

In 1999, after four years as Head of Medical Research for Zeneca Pharmaceuticals, he became Director of Research and Development for Ark Therapeutics Ltd where he was responsible for delivering the majority of key development milestones that have shaped the company. In particular, he led the development of their gene-based medicines portfolio.

In April 2005, he left to set up Boyds. The focus of which is to aid and support early-stage life-science-based companies and universities particularly in the translation and development of their research ideas into therapeutics. His contribution to medicines development has resulted in so far, over fifteen products being licensed as prescription medicines and this includes nine cell and gene therapies.