12 Questions with Dermot Kenny

Dermot Kenny, who leads STEM and Research Partnership within Inizio Advisory, shares his journey from bench scientist to CEO, his personal motivations rooted in patient impact, and his perspective on authenticity and innovation in healthcare.

What are the main responsibilities of your current role? My role is to define strategic direction and build high-performing teams that deliver on our shared priorities. STEM leads in performance benchmarking, while Research Partnership specialises in market research and insights. A key focus of mine is to integrate these strengths by combining Research Partnership’s rich dataset with STEM’s analytics to deliver differentiated insights that ultimately help clients perform better.

What’s your background prior to this role, and how did it prepare you for what you do now? I began my career as a microbiologist and bench researcher, developing new antibiotic treatments. I then spent 17 years at ICON PLC, leading global teams in Phase II–IV clinical trials. In 2016, I joined Novartis, gaining invaluable experience inside big pharma. Eventually, the pace and focus of the service side drew me back, and in 2021 I became CEO of STEM Healthcare. That role really deepened my understanding of the challenges associated with commercialisation, which prepared me very well to lead Research Partnership.

What is your proudest professional accomplishment? Two moments stand out. Early in my career at ICON, I worked on clinical trials for an innovative lung cancer immunotherapy that was later licensed. A decade later, my father received that same treatment – a profound and personal reminder of the real-world impact of our work. Professionally, I’m proud of reshaping the Biometrics organisation at Novartis, leading a five-year transformation that delivered major business impact and significant cost savings.

What motivates you about working in pharma? A mentor once told me that those in healthcare have the privilege to bend the curve of life. Our industry helps people live longer, healthier, and happier lives through medical innovation. That sense of purpose – knowing that our work directly improves patients’ lives – continues to motivate me every day.

What is your personal mission statement? What values keep you centered? I don’t have a formal mission statement, but I do have a guiding phrase I’ve written in my diary every year for two decades: “Patients are waiting.” It reminds me that every decision must ultimately help bring better medicines to more patients, faster. In a leadership capacity, I value authenticity above all else. True leaders show vulnerability and surround themselves with people who complement their strengths. By showing that authenticity, you encourage others to do the same, which creates the necessary environment for people to really thrive.

What are your biggest short-term goals for this year and next? As 2025 concludes, my focus is on strengthening a collaborative, team-based culture and driving sustainable growth. In 2026, we’ll continue uniting STEM and Research Partnership to deliver a cohesive, high-value offering and use technology to transform how we generate insights.

Central to this evolution is STEM AI – a new solution that moves us from project-based analysis to continuous performance evaluation, providing clients with real-time, actionable insights that elevate field team impact.

What do you see as the biggest challenges facing the industry right now? The evolving global payer landscape – shaped by shifting political and regulatory priorities – remains a key challenge. Price-matching or “Most Favoured Nation”-style policies in major markets can create ripple effects worldwide, making it difficult for pharmaceutical companies to make definitive plans. Equally, the challenge of turning AI’s immense potential into real, lasting value demands flexible strategies that can adapt to constant technological change.

What excites you most about current industry trends? Every challenge creates opportunity. STEM helps clients outperform competitors, while Research Partnership delivers the insights needed to measure and improve performance. The AI revolution is also transforming how we work; it’s redefining value delivery, pushing us to invest strategically, attract the best talent, and innovate continuously. That constant evolution is incredibly exciting.

What advice do you have for your peers in the pharma industry? First and foremost, stay focused on your purpose. No matter the technological disruption or global complexity, never lose sight of why we’re here: to bring more medicines to more patients, faster.

Secondly, over my 25+ years in this industry, one constant challenge has been the gap between scientific innovation and operational agility. Other sectors seem to have evolved faster, so my advice is simple: move quickly, stay grounded, and always keep patients at the centre.

What are your hobbies and how do you unwind? My greatest passion outside work is horse riding. My wife and I live on a small farm in County Kildare, Ireland, where we keep four horses. I do some low-level showjumping and eventing – it’s a wonderful way to disconnect and reconnect with nature.

Do you have any pets? Yes! Alongside our horses, we have two cats, four dogs – one blind, one deaf – and about 40 to 50 chickens. There’s always something to feed!

What sports do you follow? I used to play rugby, but now I’m mainly a spectator. I enjoy watching rugby, soccer, and golf – and, truthfully, I’ll watch almost any sport that’s on.

Guided by the Patient Mission Dermot Kenny’s career – from bench scientist to CEO – offers a rare, end-to-end view of the healthcare ecosystem. His unwavering focus on patients is both his compass and his call to action. As the industry navigates market turbulence and the rapid rise of AI, his message remains clear and compelling: Stay focused. Move faster. Patients are waiting.

Connect with Dermot Kenny on LinkedIn