Leadership in healthcare is more crucial now than ever before. Effective leaders drive progress, guiding organizations through the industry’s complexities. They must improve patient outcomes and ensure equitable access to quality care, requiring vision, adaptability and resilience amid evolving regulatory environments and technological advancements.
Healthcare leaders navigate a rapidly changing domain driven by technological advancements, shifting patient expectations, and the need for sustainable practices. They lead with empathy, strategic foresight and dedication to patient care, managing teams and operations efficiently to inspire innovation and collaboration in addressing diverse patient needs.
Hassan Herrou exemplifies this leadership as the General Manager of Middle East & Africa at CSL Behring MEA FZ-LLC, the largest business unit of CSL, a global biotechnology company. Committed to continuous innovation and improvement, Herrou emphasizes staying ahead of industry trends and investing in research and development to introduce impactful new therapies. His vision is to create a healthcare ecosystem that is effective, efficient and compassionate. Herrou’s approach ensures that CSL Behring remains at the forefront of biotechnology advancements while catering to the unique needs of the Middle East and Africa.
Let’s embark on a journey to uncover the story of Hassan Herrou, exploring the strategies and best practices driving positive change and making a tangible difference in the lives of patients and communities within the Middle East and Africa!
Early Career and Foundations
Hassan Herrou’s professional journey began in France with Schering-Plough, where he quickly distinguished himself in marketing. “I started my career back in France with Schering-Plough where I had the chance to come across amazing individuals and team members,” Herrou reflects. This early exposure laid a solid foundation for his future endeavors. During his tenure, he honed his skills in understanding market dynamics, customer needs, and the importance of teamwork, which are essential elements for effective leadership.
In 2010, Herrou took a significant step by joining Sandoz and moving to Morocco to lead the North African cluster. “The management needed someone with a mix of multinational background who can understand the Middle Eastern culture,” he explains. This role was pivotal in shaping his ability to lead in diverse and challenging environments. His responsibilities included overseeing operations, driving market growth, and building strong relationships with local stakeholders. This experience provided him with deep insights into the complexities of operating in emerging markets and the importance of cultural sensitivity in leadership.
In Morocco, Herrou’s approach was to adapt global strategies to local needs, ensuring that Sandoz’s offerings were relevant and impactful in the North African market. His work involved extensive travel, meeting with healthcare professionals, understanding patient needs, and navigating regulatory environments. These efforts were instrumental in establishing a strong market presence for Sandoz in the region.
Leading in Emerging Markets
Herrou’s career continued to flourish as he took on roles in Egypt, Iran, and the CIS-Ukraine region with Novartis. Each position offered unique challenges and opportunities, enhancing his understanding of the diverse dynamics within these markets. “After accumulating a rich acumen in Emerging Markets, I was requested by Novartis senior management to analyze the whole set of Emerging Markets and worked to find the best operating model for the different countries in the MEA region and where local manufacturing can be a best fit,” he recounts.
In these roles, Herrou was responsible for managing operations and systematic planning and implementation. He had to ensure that Novartis’s products were accessible in markets with varying degrees of economic stability and healthcare infrastructure. His capacity to navigate these intricacies and execute successful strategies demonstrated his leadership skills.
This diverse experience paved the way for his current role at CSL Behring, where he has been leading the Middle East and Africa team for the past three years. His leadership has been instrumental in strengthening the company’s presence in the region and expanding access to life-saving medications for patients with rare diseases. Herrou’s approach involves leveraging local insights, promoting strong partnerships and continuously adapting to the evolving market.
Inspiring Vision in Biotechnology
Herrou’s passion for biotechnology is deeply rooted in its transformative impact on patient lives. “I found myself with a mission in biotechnology coupling high-tech and sophisticated products with the high unmet need for patients. Our mission in biotech is changing the lives of millions of rare disease patients and their caregivers who are in a fight to maintain a normal life,” he says.
At CSL Behring, this vision translates into a commitment to values, talent, local partnerships, high-impact initiatives, and innovation. “CSL Behring is a global leader in the plasma industry. We are differentiating ourselves by working on five key dimensions: CSL Values, talented multitasked employees, local partnerships, high-impact initiatives, and driving innovation,” Herrou highlights.
Herrou’s focus on innovation is evident in CSL Behring’s product development and market expansion. By prioritizing research and development, the company introduces cutting-edge therapies for previously unmet medical needs. Additionally, Herrou emphasizes building strong local partnerships to tailor solutions to specific regional challenges and enhance CSL Behring’s overall impact.
Leadership Style and Approach
Herrou defines his leadership style as a mix of transformational and situational leadership. “Every situation needs a different approach; however, I will always challenge the status quo and encourage the team members to think outside the box and find new ways of doing things,” he asserts. This approach allows him to provide direction while empowering his team to make decisions.
“I believe in a laissez-faire style where the team members are encouraged to make their own decisions while ensuring consensus,” he explains. This blend of autonomy and alignment cultivates a dynamic and responsive organizational culture. Herrou’s leadership is characterized by a balance of strategic oversight and operational flexibility, allowing his team to innovate while staying aligned with the company’s overall mission and goals.
His leadership style is also marked by a strong focus on mentorship and professional development. He believes in nurturing talent and providing opportunities for growth and advancement within the organization. By investing in his team’s development, he ensures that CSL Behring has a pipeline of skilled and motivated leaders ready to take on future challenges.
Overcoming Challenges
Leading in emerging markets comes with its set of challenges, which Herrou navigates with a strategic and adaptive approach. One of the primary challenges is the high-cost structure of plasma products, coupled with varying economic conditions across the region. “Driving success in emerging markets with a distributor model requires a unique set of leadership skills,” he acknowledges. “From one side, we need to maintain a certain price level, and from the other side, we understand the challenges facing our payers with more price pressures.”
Herrou’s skill in managing these conflicting demands, while guaranteeing a steady supply and access to medications, showcases his strong leadership skill. His approach involves fostering strong partnerships, ensuring alignment with local stakeholders, and driving efficiency through talented multitasked employees. “We strive to maintain this balance so that patients can have access to our medications,” he emphasizes. Herrou’s strategies also include navigating regulatory landscapes, advocating for patient access, and ensuring that CSL Behring’s operations are sustainable and resilient in the face of economic fluctuations.
Promoting Innovation and Collaboration
Innovation and collaboration are central to Herrou’s leadership philosophy. He believes in the power of teamwork and continuous learning to drive success. “Our team members work closely together with one goal: to ensure that patients get our medications that will save their lives,” he emphasizes.
Herrou also promotes a “speak up” culture within his team, encouraging open communication and support. “We also foster a speak-up culture, seeking support whenever needed to ensure we achieve our goals,” he adds. This culture not only drives innovation but also empowers team members to contribute their best ideas and solutions. By nurturing an environment where team members feel valued and heard, he ensures that CSL Behring remains agile and responsive to new challenges and opportunities.
Herrou’s emphasis on collaboration extends beyond his immediate team to include partnerships with academic institutions, research organizations, and other industry players. By promoting these collaborations, CSL Behring can leverage a broader range of expertise and resources, accelerating the development and implementation of innovative solutions. These partnerships are crucial for staying at the forefront of scientific and technological advancements and for driving continuous improvement in patient care.
Achievements and Milestones
Under Herrou’s leadership, CSL Behring MEA FZ-LLC has achieved several significant milestones. One notable achievement is the establishment of the regional headquarters in Riyadh. “We have successfully established our regional headquarters in Riyadh, coming closer to our HCPs and trying to serve even better. The official opening of this office is expected very soon,” he notes. This strategic move enhances operational efficiency and the company’s ability to respond to the needs of healthcare professionals and patients.
Additionally, CSL Behring has made significant progress in registering and launching its immunology and hemophilia portfolio across most of its markets. “We managed to register and launch CSL Behring’s portfolio for immunology and hemophilia across the majority of the markets, granting thousands of rare disease patients access to life-saving medications,” he explains. Establishing local manufacturing capabilities has further allowed the company to respond swiftly to local demands and ensure a reliable supply of medications.
Herrou has also spearheaded the development of educational programs and support networks for healthcare professionals and patients. By providing training and resources, CSL Behring ensures healthcare providers are well-equipped to deliver optimal care. These programs have raised awareness about rare diseases and improved diagnosis and treatment rates across the region.
Future Goals and Vision
Looking ahead, Herrou’s vision for CSL Behring MEA FZ-LLC focuses on expanding access to innovative treatments and ensuring that no patient is left behind. “The MEA region is home to almost 1.5 billion people. Almost 400,000 people exist with rare diseases where we are serving them through industry and our innovative portfolio,” he highlights. Herrou aims to continuously upgrade the company’s capabilities to meet growing unmet needs in the region by creating a unique environment that encourages diversity and inclusion, making CSL Behring MEA among the best places to work.
He prioritizes sustainability and corporate social responsibility, addressing broader societal challenges such as healthcare infrastructure, community support and environmental sustainability. By integrating these priorities, CSL Behring not only delivers exceptional healthcare solutions but also contributes positively to the broader community. Strong collaborations with industry colleagues, associations and key stakeholders support this vision, encouraging a culture of excellence and dedication to patient care.
To achieve these goals, Herrou is committed to continuous innovation and improvement. He emphasizes staying ahead of industry trends and anticipating future healthcare challenges. By investing in the latest research and development, CSL Behring can continue to introduce new therapies that make a significant impact on patient lives. Herrou envisions a healthcare ecosystem that is effective, efficient, compassionate, and inclusive.
About CSL Behring
CSL Behring is a global biotherapeutics leader driven by our promise to save lives. Focused on serving patients’ needs by using the latest technologies, we discover, develop and deliver innovative therapies for people living with conditions in the immunology, hematology, cardiovascular and metabolic, respiratory, and transplant therapeutic areas. We use three strategic scientific platforms of plasma fractionation, recombinant protein technology, and cell and gene therapy to support continued innovation and continually refine ways in which products can address unmet medical needs and help patients lead full lives.
CSL Behring operates one of the world’s largest plasma collection networks, CSL Plasma. Our parent company, CSL (ASX:CSL; USOTC:CSLLY), headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, employs 32,000 people, and delivers its lifesaving therapies to people in more than 100 countries. For inspiring stories about the promise of biotechnology, visit CSL.com/Vita and follow us on Twitter.com/CSLBehring.
This article was developed in collaboration with CSL.
