The right people are centric to an organisation’s success.

The talent requirements of Life Science organisations are unique which is why our approach is unique.

We pride ourselves on our deep commercial and technical knowledge of life sciences, from discovery right through to clinical and commercial inflection points. We use that knowledge to help leadership teams and boards build their capabilities with top talent that will support their goals.

We strive for a seamless partnership with our clients, focused on delivering insights, expertise, and a distinctly pragmatic and solution-oriented approach.

David Phelan

Founder & Managing Partner

+353 (0) 87 964 4798

With over 15 years’ experience in the life science sector, spanning both commercial and technical operations across EMEA and the US, David founded Lucivio Partners in 2024 to address the executive search and talent needs of life science companies.

He also works closely with a NASDAQ listed biotech plc in an organisation design and talent capacity on the launch of their next generation diabetes technology.

David was formerly Senior Life Sciences Partner in the world’s largest executive search and talent advisory firm. In this role, he was a member of the global life sciences practice and led several board and executive level searches in EMEA and the US.

Prior to this, David was Managing Partner of a boutique executive search firm which during his tenure was Ireland’s leading executive life sciences practice.

David is a Certified Management Consultant (CMC) with the Institute of Management Consultants and Advisors and served a full term as a board member of Transparency Ireland International (TII). He holds a BA (Hons) in Entrepreneurship.

Paul Metcalfe

Associate Consultant

+44 (0) 7850 081867

Paul is an experienced recruiter with over 23 years of experience in senior, international search. Paul’s recruitment career has focused exclusively on the healthcare and life science sectors and he understands this space intimately.

His recruitment career began at one of Europe’s leading executive research firms, where he managed a delivery team supporting several global blue-chip pharmaceutical companies, one of which was GSK, leading a team of Account Managers supporting GSKs’ internal talent teams globally. He then went on to establish his own company in 2014, and then in 2017, he founded Wardour Partnership with Emma Lowndes. 

Paul now works with clients in biotech, medical devices, generics, specialty biopharma and others, sourcing and attracting senior executive talent across a diverse range of business functions. Before entering executive search, Paul worked in academia, gaining a PhD in Molecular Genetics from the University of Aberdeen.

Sarah Conroy

Associate Consultant

+44 (0) 7967 209027

Sarah has more than 25 years of experience recruiting key talent across the life sciences industry including pharmaceuticals, biotech, medical devices and diagnostics for commercial, not-for-profit and academic organisations.

Since 2004, she has worked independently with clients across the industry based in Europe and North America, recruiting for functions spanning the development and commercialisation of healthcare products including R&D, technical operations, regulatory, commercial, as well as general management, CEO & board directors.

She began her career with TMP Worldwide and AT Kearney Executive Search, and more recently worked with Caldwell Partner’s Life Sciences and Healthcare Practice.

She holds a BA in Business Management from Oxford Brookes University. Sarah joined Wardour in January 2022.

Our Client Commitment

At Lucivio Partners everything we do is guided by our principles of Trust, Transparency and Empathy.

We help our clients to achieve sustainable growth, add value to their people and investors and most importantly, optimise their business so they can deliver life-changing and lifesaving therapies to patients.

Trust

Transparency

Empathy

What people say about us:

  • “David had a clear understanding of what was needed and more importantly, how to do it”

    We partnered with David in looking to achieve significant transformation and growth in our business. Early in the process, David had a clear understanding of what was needed and more importantly, how to do it. He not only was a mentor to our team in advising of key decisions, but he also drove many of the structure and hires needed to make the projects a success.

    Chief Executive Officer, Biotechnology plc

  • “David is a trusted advisor who has provided guidance and insight in several of my leadership roles”

    For much of my executive career, David has been a trusted advisor to both me and the organisations I have led. He has a strong knowledge of the international pharmaceutical landscape, which combined with an understanding of what’s needed from an organisational level, provides sound advice and support in shaping the business for success.

    Chief HR Officer, Pharmaceutical plc

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