Brian David Smith
Brian David Smith is a strategic management consultant, academic and author. His particular interests include the evolution of business models and competitive strategies in the life science sector, particularly pharmaceuticals and medical technology. His academic research on these topics informs both his consultancy and writing. Early life and education. Smith was born in Hebburn in 1961, where he lived until he began his career. Smith gained a BSc in Chemistry from Newcastle University in 1983 and spent the first years of his career working in pharmaceutical and medical technology companies as a research and development chemist. He  then remained in the industry for a further 15 years working in various marketing and strategy roles. He became a qualified marketer in 1989 and served as the first non-academic examiner for the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM). Smith was heavily involved in the CIM for almost 30 years and acted as Chair of its Levitt Group for senior and qualified marketers. In 2003, Smith completed his PhD at Cranfield School of Management. His thesis, supervised by Professor Malcolm McDonald, was entitled "The Effectiveness of Strategy Making Processes in Medical Markets" and addressed the issue of why some life  science firms make strong strategy and others do not. Academic career. Since 1998, Smith’s academic career has included teaching, research and PhD supervision at several universities. Since 2011, Smith has been an Adjunct Professor at Bocconi University in Milan, Italy, where he teaches Strategy the MIHMEP programme and research design on the DBA programme . Since 2013, he has also been also a Visiting Professor at the University of Hertfordshire, where he supervises a group of PhD students focused on the evolution of the life sciences industry. In September 2018, he became a module leader on the Middlesex University Pharmaceutical  Industry MBA. In March 2021, he was appointed as an external examiner to UCL’s Bioscience Entrepreneurship MSc. Pragmedic. Since 1998, Smith has, through his consultancy firm Pragmedic, advised many life science companies on how they can improve their competitive capabilities. His work focuses on the pragmatic application of strategic management science in the specific market and cultural context of this industry. Using his research into the Darwinian evolution of the industry, he focuses on how firms can adapt to their changing sociological and technological environment. Research and Writing. Smith’s current research focus is the application of Darwinian Evolution  to the business models in the life sciences industry. His work builds on prior work, including his PhD research, concerning the effectiveness of strategy making in life science companies, how firm create market insight and the connection between strategy and commercial outcomes. This research has led to Smith’s publication of more than 300 articles and papers and 7 books. Smith’s foremost publications include his books Darwin’s Medicine (2017) and The Future of Pharma (2011). Smith was also founding editor for the peer reviewed Journal of Medical Marketing. His own peer reviewed publications include: These papers can be  accessed and read via Smith’s website.