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Imperial Logistics has appointed Dr. Iain Barton to the newly-created position of Executive Vice President – Healthcare. Iain, currently Imperial Logistics’ Healthcare Strategy Executive based in Cape Town in South Africa, is the latest addition to the recently introduced global sales structure, headed by Imperial Logistics International Chief Commercial Officer, Sandro Knecht. A key feature of this is sector-specific business development posts. In his new role, Iain will be responsible for identifying and exploiting healthcare opportunities both within Imperial Logistics’ existing geographic structure, and in new markets.

Iain is a medical doctor with 10 years’ clinical practice experience. This has been followed by 22 years in developing and implementing best practice supply chains for major healthcare organisations. During that time, he has led the supply chain support of the US government’s PEPFAR (The U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief), and The Global Fund’s (The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria) central procurement for ARVs (anti-retrovirals). 

Iain co-founded pharmaceutical supply chain specialist PHD, becoming its CEO. He then served as CEO of The RTT Group, orchestrating its unbundling in 2012, when its RTT Medical business was acquired by Imperial Logistics to form Imperial Health Sciences. As its head, Iain led a number of pioneering innovations such as Unjani Clinics, Warehouse-in-a-Box, Clinic-in-a-Box and Imperial Logistics’ Multi-Market Aggregation mega-distributor model, all of which have enhanced medicine access throughout African markets. Iain has additionally served on the Advisory Boards of Merck For Mothers, SA’s Public Health Enhancement Fund, People That Deliver and The Africa Resource Centre (ARC). 

Commenting on the appointment, Sandro Knecht says: “Iain has a long and impressive track record working with many of the world’s leading pharmaceutical clients, donor agencies and national ministries of health. His experience includes establishing and managing start-up operations, and working in a variety of geographies and cultures.

“This provides the ideal background for spearheading the expansion and growth of Imperial Logistics’ healthcare operations within and beyond Africa, in line with our overall growth strategy. We are delighted to have Iain join our team, and look forward to working together to bring Imperial Logistics’ healthcare logistics experience and capabilities to the service of a much wider market.”

Adds Iain: “I am excited to play this lead role in delivering Imperial Logistics’ solutions to new customers and markets. The past work done, the strong relationships and trust built, and the deep insights gained will serve us well in extending reliable supply of quality medicines to additional markets.”​