An MBA alumnus of Alliance Manchester Business School has been commended in the Queen’s New Year Honours List for his role in developing the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
Sean Marett, who graduated in 1993, is Chief Business and Chief Commercial Officer at BioNTech AG, the German company which developed the vaccine in partnership with Pfizer. He has been made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) for his services to the development of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Said Sean: “My experience at Alliance Manchester Business School was crucial in pursuing an international career. In fact, I met my future German wife at a French class at an American university during my semester abroad. This ultimately led me to join a small German biotechnology company in Mainz where I most recently had the privilege to be part of the team to develop, launch and supply the BioNTech-Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine, providing the vaccine to over one billion people in over 160 countries in its first full year on the market.”
Elsewhere in the honours list, Natalie Shaw, who graduated with a BSc in Management Sciences from The University of Manchester in 1988 and is Director of Employment Affairs at the International Chamber of Shipping, was also made an MBE for her services to seafarers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Two BA Econ alumni from The University of Manchester were also commended. Andy Cosslett, who graduated with a BA (Econ) in 1977 and a MA (Econ) in European Community Studies in 1978, was Chair of the Rugby Football Union (RFU) from 2016 to 2021 and was made a CBE for services to the RFU. He is also Chairman of Kingfisher plc.
Anthony Braddon graduated with a BA (Econ) in 1973 and is chairman of Leander Holdings, a property and investment group based in Kent. He was made OBE for his voluntary and charitable services to homeless people and underprivileged children in London and the South East.