Rethinking the Sponsor-CRO Relationship: Alistair Macdonald, CEO at Worldwide Clinical Trials

Beginning his career with a geology degree and a job drilling oil wells in remote corners of the world, Alistair Macdonald, Chief Executive Officer of Worldwide Clinical Trials, took an unplanned route to the top of the CRO industry. In this candid conversation, he and Patty explore what shapes a leader, and how the people you work alongside can define the way you lead for decades to come. You will hear Alistair reflect on what it takes to build a culture that performs, how the relationship between Sponsors and CROs has shifted over the years, and why serving emerging biotechs calls for a different kind of partnership. Along the way, he opens up about stepping away from the industry and what ultimately drew him back. This episode explores the human side of running a CRO, and why trust and relationships remain at the core of clinical research.