The Company

Kelso Pharma’s vision is to bring innovative, value-added, specialty medicines to the European healthcare markets. These medicines provide meaningful benefits to patients and create added value for healthcare stakeholders.

The business plans to enhance value for the healthcare system by providing medicines that improve the lives of patients in a cost-effective way and is committed to behaving in an ethical manner in everything that they do.

Kelso Pharma is built upon a blend of company & product acquisitions, partnerships and organic growth, both in the UK and in Europe. The business is focused on creating a positive, entrepreneurial working environment for its people - because a happy team creates value for patients, the healthcare system and the business.

The company is backed by Apposite Capital LLP, a private equity firm specialising in investing in SME businesses in healthcare. The Kelso Pharma team has extensive experience in growing and running a specialty pharma business across Europe.

In January 2022, Kelso Pharma acquired Stirling Anglian Pharmaceuticals, and in November 2023 the business took its first step in its European expansion strategy by agreeing to acquire Italian specialty pharma company, Velit Biopharma (Velit). With more than 100 partnership agreements in place with pharma companies in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, Velit has a portfolio of more than 50 pharma products and a strong pipeline of additional medicines in development, with a number of products available to be commercialised in the UK through Kelso Pharma’s existing infrastructure.

Kelso Pharma is headed by Dr Tom Stratford, previously CEO of Kyowa Kirin International, the European and US business arm of Kyowa Kirin which purchased Scottish Borders-based ProStrakan Group PLC in 2011. He is joined by former KKI CFO, Allan Watson, and former KKI General Counsel, Andrew McLean.

For more information on the business, please click on the hyperlinks to access websites for:

Kelso Pharma

Stirling Anglian Pharmaceutical

Velit Biopharma

Background to the current opportunity

As a result of the recent acquisition and the ambitious growth plans to develop the group into a pan-European specialty healthcare business, the demands on the finance function are increasing. The business now requires a greater level of MI to support strategic decision-making.

The newly created Financial Analyst post will support the Chief Financial Officer by helping to deliver the operational finance needs of the business, as well as supporting the processes, data capture and reporting changes necessary to facilitate the coming growth acceleration.

This is an exciting, progressive opportunity for a talented finance professional with the desire to join a high-growth and innovative company. It is crucial that the appointed candidate is able to build positive relationships with key stakeholders across the business to ensure a long-term fit within the relatively small team.

Kelso Pharma represents an excellent opportunity for a motivated Financial Analyst who wants to work for a PE-backed scale-up pharmaceutical business. They provide the prospect of working for a business with tremendous ambitions, offering scope for career development as the business grows.

The Role

The appointed individual must be eager to develop a strong understanding of the commercial operations beyond finance. The Financial Analyst will possess excellent communication skills, both verbal and written. The individual must be comfortable engaging with stakeholders across all levels of the business and conveying financial information to non-financial colleagues. The post-holder will be highly analytical, with the ability to challenge and utilise data to provide key insights with a high level of accuracy.

In keeping with the expanding profile of the group - the ability to question, challenge and flex with change is also vital. As a result of joining the company at such an exciting stage in its journey, the expectation is that the role will evolve with time as the company does.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Developing and delivering insightful MI to support strategic decision-making by Board and country general managers
• KPI reporting and ensuring trends are understood and shared with key stakeholders
• Analysing gross margins at a product and customer level
• Maintaining monthly revenue and margin reporting; identifying trends and variances
• Financial modelling for ad hoc commercial projects, new business development investments and future acquisitions
• Taking ownership of producing the annual budget and periodic forecasting by working closely with, and challenging, senior management
• Contributing to the reporting of key business metrics; using metrics to drive a culture of continuous improvement
• Playing a key role in the implementation of a new ERP system in future
• Supporting with other ad hoc projects across the wider finance team

The Individual

The role of Financial Analyst requires an accountant with a track record of effectively presenting financial information clearly, concisely and in an engaging manner. The individual will have strong attention to detail and the ability to identify trends and opportunities, with prior exposure to managing budgets and forecasts. The post-holder will possess the ability to prioritise and adapt to changing workloads effectively.

The Financial Analyst will have advanced Excel skills to produce insightful analysis, to support high-level strategic decision-making.

Kelso Pharma represents an excellent career move, providing scope to work within a dynamic and rewarding environment. This is an opportunity to be part of a growing, ambitious business and play a key part in its journey.

The key candidate requirements for the position include:

• Excellent organisation and time management skills
• Analysis, numerical and report writing skills
• Strong communication, listening and problem-solving skills
• Ability to prioritise workload and meet deadlines in a changing environment
• Demonstrates a high level of discretion and confidentiality
• Excellent attention to detail
• Able to deliver to challenging deadlines
• Ability to work on your own, as well as part of a team
• Proficient IT skills, along with a good working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and Outlook) and the ability to adapt to new systems
• Providing help and support to other team members when required
• Monitoring and evaluating financial information systems and making suggestions for continuous improvement
• Professional accounting qualification is preferable (CIMA, ACCA, ICAS)

Remuneration

Salary:  £50,000 - £55,000

Bonus: 10% discretionary, dependent on personal and company objectives being met

Holiday Entitlement: 25 days plus bank holidays

Healthcare:  Death in service policy

Hours: Hybrid working from home and office. The successful          candidate should expect to spend time in the company’s                      head office 1 day per week in Hillington and quarterly visits  to the company’s office in Italy.