Valneva Case Study - Entrust Resource Solutions

Apr 2020 - Client: Valneva

Valneva is a specialty vaccine company, focused on the development and commercialisation of prophylactic vaccines for infectious diseases with significant unmet medical need. With several vaccines in development, including unique vaccines against Lyme disease, COVID-19 and chikungunya, Valneva’s portfolio also includes two commercial vaccines for travellers.

Entrust Resource Solutions has been working with Valneva since early 2020, with activity ramping up considerably as it launched a new facility based in Livingston, Scotland and the announcement of a global COVID-19 pandemic.

Overview

Valneva appointed by UK government to develop and produce COVID-19 vaccines for European market.
250 scientific, manufacturing, quality assurance and validation roles required within short timeframe to launch new facility, continue projected growth and respond to COIVD-19 requirements.
Contract and permanent roles filled.
Critical Head of Operations required to oversee transition to new facility.
ERS working with UK government to facilitate fast-track of international hire.

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Unlike other suppliers, we were able to mitigate this challenge via our UK-wide footprint

lab technician looking at samples through a microscope

Project Highlights

Responsive

Valneva’s existing growth strategy was expedited by the global pandemic, giving Entrust an unprecedently brief timescale of just six months to fill a number of key roles within its new Livingston facility. As specialists in Life Sciences, Pharmceutical and Biotechnology recruitment, this period was one of the busiest experienced by us. Despite this, the responsive, flexible ethos for which we are renowned was unaffected, due to the implementation of improved processes designed to combat the industry’s unique requirements at that time – and our willingness to always go the extra mile.

A Crowded Marketplace

Entrust was tasked with filling a number of roles on a Preferred Supplier List basis. Add to this a finite Scottish market for the roles required, and a number of Valenva’s competitors looking to recruit similar positions, and Entrust was operating within an already-crowded Scottish marketplace. Unlike other suppliers, we were able to mitigate this challenge via our UK-wide footprint. With bases in the North West and South of England, our wider reach resulted in the successful placement of over 20 candidates into key contract and permanent positions.

closeup up samples in plugged test tubes

Challenging Traditional Restrictions

Reflecting Entrust’s ethos to ensure the very best candidates are placed, the Executive Search team worked with Valneva on an exclusive basis to source the critical Head of Operations. Having sourced the industry’s most suitable candidate overseas, we then worked closely with the British Embassy and UK government to ensure the process did not suffer from standard restrictions.

A perfect example of our ability to find those with the truest skillset to match clients’ requirements, regardless of location, and assist in all ways to ensure there is never a compromise when it comes to sourcing talent.

Project Highlights

Challenging Traditional Restrictions

Entrust Resource Solutions

Head Office