Head of Validation
Lee Jones
Lee Jones is an experienced Validation Specialist with over 20 years within the Pharmaceutical and life sciences industries and has been involved in qualification and validation activities across a range of subject areas including CSV, aseptic pharmaceutical manufacturing, biopharma and medical devices.
Q&A's
What inspired you to pursue a career in the automation industry, and how did you get started in this field?
I originally trained as a chemist and started my career as an analytical and formulation chemist within the fast-moving consumer goods and petrochemical industries. I later returned to university to perform post graduate research covering organometallic synthesis and then theoretical chemistry/molecular modelling. My first foray into the pharma industry followed soon after and given my aptitude for programming and testing, I quickly found myself getting involved lab equipment and computerised system validation activities – the rest as they say is history and I have been involved in validation ever since.
What do you enjoy most about working at ITS, and what sets you apart from other automation businesses in the industry?
I have only recently joined ITS but was attracted to the company due to its long standing reputation as a provider of quality validation services. I hope by undertaking this role, I can make a valuable contribution to ITS’s success and help ITS to deliver further value to the life sciences and other industries.
What do you like to do outside of work to unwind and recharge, and how do you balance your personal and professional life?
My main hobbies are Astronomy and photography, which I have had a passion for since I was a kid. I freelanced as a semi professional photographer for several years, performing wedding and sports event photography. I often combine these two hobbies as astrophotography. When the weather isn’t good enough for astronomy, I also like 3D modelling/CGI and CAD design work. I have used these skills to great effect over the years performing my own design work to perform house renovations. I have also recently acquired a 3D printer which allows me to manifest some of my CGI creations in the physical world.
I have two granddaughters, several cats and two geese – which keep us busy the rest of the time