Remembering Lynette Arnell:
our friend and operations director

“What can I say about Lynette Arnell that will possibly do justice to the way she touched everyone she worked with? Let me at least try.

Lynette joined pharmaphorum back in 2017 off the back of what had been a difficult period for the business as we expanded and experienced the growing pains that so many other companies have been through. As I pondered over some of our operational challenges, it was my wife, who was already friends with Lynette due to a previous working relationship, who suggested reaching out to her.

It proved to be one of the best decisions I ever made.

She immediately made an impact after coming on board, shoring up our operations and doing so in a way that endeared her to everyone. To me, she quickly became a good friend and a trusted confidant, both of which proved invaluable during tough times. For every business problem, Lynette had at least some words of comfort and, most often, an immediate solution. pharmaphorum (written with a small ‘p’ as she would have insisted) would never have been so successful without her.

However, the most striking thing was how she went about solving problems, in such an empathetic and kind way that made her everyone’s friend. The impact she made on all those around here went far beyond the business, forging deep friendships that endured.

Her wicked sense of humour also helped to lift everyone’s spirits, whether it was the ongoing discussion about whether the primary purpose of shoes was to look good or be easy to walk in (she eventually persuaded me the former was correct), the way in which she made the car park rota the most important topic in the office (and wrote the theme tune to it), her insistence on helping to rewrite tricky client comms by removing the swear words (leaving nothing left in my drafts), or her introduction of the office dog (don’t tell the landlord).

When I think of Lynette, these and many more happy memories come flooding back. That is her legacy and it’s one we should all aspire to.

She leaves a gap behind that is impossible to fill for all those who knew her and we will all miss her dearly. She just wanted to help make things better for everyone around her, which she did every day. 

Thank you Lynette, for everything.”

Paul Tunnah, founder and former editor in chief, pharmaphorum

“It is hard to put in words the loss of someone you spoke to every day for years. We were just sharing book recommendations with each other, how is it possible you are no longer here? I wanted to hear what you thought of that book. It is hard to fathom Lynette is no longer with us in this realm and I’ve yet to be able to bring myself to remove the weekly “Lynette<>Kristin 1:1” off my calendar. 

Lynette was truly the heart and soul of our team. She never aspired to have the spotlight on herself, but rather always advocated to shine the light on those around her. But if things went wrong, she was quick to jump into action to find a solution. She never shied away from a challenge and never placed blame on anyone, just looked for a way to resolve it.

She was someone that could always be trusted, and while she might have appeared somewhat quiet and reserved, those of us who knew her well and worked with her day to day knew she was tough as nails and had a fierce sense of humour and wit that she would whip out when least expected to force a laugh at the absurdity of it all. 

And by “it” I don’t just mean work, but life, whether it be about her kids, our latest purchases from Zara, book recommendations, our dogs, her menagerie of other animals, US politics, or many other topics of the day beyond work. She leaves a gaping hole in my day to day, and I miss her terribly. Looking forward to reconnecting some day in another realm.”

Kristin Milburn, SVP, marketing ecosystem and strategy, EVERSANA

“I met Lynette nearly ten years ago, and we hit it off straight away. At the start, it was just the two of us along with a few others on our weekly calls. Our relationship began professionally, and it was wonderful from the get-go, but over time, it blossomed into a deeply personal bond. I’ve always felt a real sense of togetherness between us. We shared so much, from our love of films and trash TV to our mutual obsession with musicals. We were both huge fans of Wicked in particular (we always felt that Elphaba was the real star of the show).

We bonded over the simplest joys - even debating whether Jaffa Cakes are actually biscuits or cakes. Most importantly, we connected through everything that comes with being a mum.

I’m going to miss her terribly. She leaves a massive gap in the team, but an even bigger one in my heart.”

Sara Scarpinati, marketing ecosystem manager, EVERSANA

“Lynette was a remarkable woman, a colleague, and a friend. She brought kindness, humour and was always willing to lend her time, wisdom, and support to teammates and clients alike. In many respects, she was a mother figure to the pharmaphorum team – gently cajoling when needed, encouraging always, and unfailingly looking out for others.

The world would be a far better place with more people like Lynette in it. She was a dear friend, and I will miss her enormously.”

Matt Brookes, sales director, pharmaphorum

“Lynette was truly one of the sweetest, kindest people I've ever worked with. She cared deeply about her work, and she was damn good at it, but she always took time to ask you how you were doing before diving into the work talk. And she really cared. I would always tell her about something my baby or toddler did and she'd say "oh just wait until he's older" and tell me something about something she was going through with own daughter. 

The first time I remember spending time with Lynette outside of work was my first Salerno visit after I joined pharmaphorum. Lynette, Paul T, and I arrived a bit early and ended up having dinner just the three of us. We hadn't yet realised how different the Italian notion of "dinnertime" was from the British and American sensibility, so we were wandering around at 6pm and finding all the restaurants closed. We finally wound up at a pizza place where the staff didn't speak much English and we spoke even less Italian between the three of us. 

I was nervous –- at a new job, in a new country, jet-lagged and out to dinner with my new boss. But Lynette's good nature and easy humour put me at ease and it ended up setting the tone for a great trip. After that I always knew I could count on Lynette as a sounding board and a problem solver.

I will really miss Lynette. But I know that she'll always be looking out for us, like she always did. And I hope we can keep her memory alive by working together, listening to one another, and caring for each other the way she always wanted us to.”

Jonah Comstock, editor in chief, pharmaphorum

“Where to begin in remembering Lynette? My dear colleague; my mentor and my friend. 

It is with a deep and tidal sorrow that I – we – have had to come to terms with the sudden, awful fact that Lynette is gone. It's an unexpected and a jarring stop button that cannot be unpressed. And the future now ahead without the kindest, funniest, and sharply wittiest lady against adversity you ever could have met will, quite simply, never be the same.

Whether it was discourse on the comparative merits of various crisp flavours over a working desk lunch, filmic adaptations of literary classics (and reality TV at times, too); the sharing of the cheeky benefits of a Costa Coffee membership app when remote working all became too much, the myriad animal-based tales (donkeys on nebulisers and shoe-connoisseur canines, to boot); or the no-nonsense, down-to-the-minute deliverables timeline that must on no grounds whatsoever be set a toe beyond (but with apologies following that strictness quickly in pursuit, though perhaps the spreadsheet could use another column for clarity...) – to say that I, we, will 'miss' Lynette is a gross understatement. She was our caring, wise, human centre.

We can only hold onto the small grain of comfort that she is no longer struggling, fighting the fight and smiling determinedly – warrior woman-like – over so long a challenging time. Now, Lynette is indeed taking that 'rest' urged upon her so often, and we so very much wish she weren't. My thoughts are with her family at this terrible time.”

Nicole Raleigh, web editor, pharmaphorum

“Lynette was the first person I met at pharmaphorum. I should have known from that first Zoom call that she was going to become one of the best and funniest parts of my daily life. While I know that she would be up in arms at the idea of us all sitting here mulling over finding the right sentimental words and memories to adequately convey just how much she meant to us, the fact is that she is gone, and everything is worse for it.

She was wonderful, through and through. Always armed with a witty quip or a tale of animal hijinks to brighten your day. Lynette taught me how to move through life with compassion and a quiet strength, lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

So, even though she was far too British to endure the fuss, I will miss her terribly. We all will.”

Eloise McLennan, Deep Dive editor, pharmaphorum

"Lynette was one of life’s good people. Funny, caring, very intelligent, super organised (loved a spreadsheet), and obviously absolutely devoted to her family (and menagerie of animals that she cared for!). She had a very charming way of appearing to be ditzy, but it was always obvious that there was a mind like a steel trap underneath. Never forgetting anything and always on top of things (even if she had only just realised that The Beatles had the word ‘beat’ in their name). 

It’s hard to really quantify what a huge impact Lynette had at pharmaphorum, but it is safe to say that she made an immense difference. She was a ray of light - both in personality and making sure that we were the best we could all be. Always looking out for everyone both personally and professionally. I’m sure her current colleagues will more eloquently attest to all of this, but those are my recollections of our time working directly together at pharmaphorum. 

Thankfully, a lot of past alumni stayed in touch and I considered Lynette to be a friend and I will really miss her super quick wit in our Whatsapp group - and even her singing! The world is a less caring, funny, and definitely less stylish place without her in it. I always used to preface asking Lynette for any work-based request (like a deadline extension) by saying, ‘Did I mention how lovely you look today?’ I wish I could have had the chance to tell her one more time."

Mike Smith, senior art designer, EVERSANA, and former senior designer at pharmaphorum

“Lynette was a colleague, a friend, and a massive David Bowie fan – all important points to note. At work she was kind and supportive, with a wicked sense of humour that she used to highlight her own quirks just as much as the foibles of others.

I first met Lynette when she interviewed me for a job at pharmaphorum. Perhaps appropriately, the interview took place in a Surrey pub, where she cracked some dodgy jokes that I would later come to recognise as part of her trademark humour.

Self-deprecating to a fault, Lynette was a vital part of the team running the pharmaphorum ship and helped me enormously during my time with the company. She regularly displayed grace under pressure and lifted colleagues to help them produce their best work. 

She will be missed greatly.”

Dominic Tyer, former creative and editorial director, pharmaphorum