Committed to Saving Lives: Peter Turner

WHEN YOU THINK about character istics that define outstanding leadership, the ability to inspire others is certainly near the top of the list. As the president of CSL Behring, Peter Turner is both an inspired and inspirational leader, equally comfortable in his roles as corporate visionary and roll-up-your-sleeves team builder. For Turner, leadership boils down to setting clear objectives and putting resources in place to see those objectives achieved.

“It’s important to help people see the significance of your plan and to encourage them to achieve more than they thought was possible,” Turner says. “An old philosophy involved getting people to work on their weaknesses to improve performance. I believe it’s better to build on the strengths of each individual and then bring everyone together as a welloiled team. That’s good leadership.” A well-respected name in the biopharmaceuticals industry, Turner played an instrumental role in CSL’s successful 2004 acquisition of Aventis Behring, and has served as president of the company ever since. Under his leadership, the firm has introduced two major new global products and brought a number of existing products into new markets. An industry veteran, Turner’s career spans an impressive 40-plus years, including more than 20 years of plasma fractionation research and development, production, engineering and business expertise. As one might expect, Turner has garnered his fair share of professional awards over the years. Last year, he was honored with the Robert W. Reilly Leadership Award at the 2008 Plasma Protein Forum in Washington, D.C., a recognition he says carried particular significance.

“This award meant a lot to me because it came from industry peers,” explains Turner. “It’s always nice to be acknowledged for your efforts, but I also feel the most rewarding feedback comes from the patients we serve. When someone says, ‘I was really ill and your products improved my quality of life,’ — that’s what matters.”

Today, Turner oversees a worldwide operation with more than 9,000 employees where his reputation as a smart, intuitive and compassionate individual has earned him the admiration of employees throughout the organization.

“Working with Peter Turner, I am struck by his genuine nature and his forthright leadership style,” remarks Adam Tyler, senior director, national accounts and coagulation sales. “Peter operates beyond pretense and politics by formulating objectives, setting the course and holding the organization — and himself — accountable for outcomes and results. Peter’s commitment to excellence stems from a genuine passion for patients. Where other organizations often shy away from producing products for small patient populations, Peter embraces the challenge because he knows CSL Behring can make a tangible difference in the lives of individuals with rare and serious diseases.”

Passion for Exceptional Patient Care

When it comes to success in any industry, innovation plays an instrumental role both behind the scenes and in the marketplace. A company’s ability to respond to consumer trends, supply shortages and market fluctuations, while also positioning itself on the forefront of product development, is directly linked to its longevity. For CSL Behring, an organization that has evolved from a fairly small operation in Australia to become a recognized global leader in plasma therapies, the road to success has been paved with a corporate philosophy that is characterized by a passion for exceptional patient care. The company’s accomplishments include developing the world’s first pasteurized plasma protein solution; marketing the world’s first pasteurized factor VIII; and being the first company to offer nanofiltered intravenous immune globulin (IVIG). Today, innovation remains an active force at CSL Behring, and is, in fact, one of its core values.

“Innovation plays into all aspects of what we do,” says Turner. “I think it’s always important to look at how a job is being done and envision ways of doing it better. In an industry like ours, opportunities for improvement require an investment in new processes, new products and infrastructure, and the thinking leader recognizes when it’s appropriate to make investments to drive performance.”

Turner points out that innovation of plasma protein therapies is ultimately about improving the medical benefits of the products themselves for the benefit of CSL’s customers. CSL, he notes, is often referred to internally as an acronym for “Committed to Saving Lives.”

“At CSL, we are in the business of researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing products that save lives and improve the quality of life for people with rare and serious medical conditions,” notes Turner. “It’s very rewarding to be part of an industry that helps people lead better lives.”

With Turner at the helm, it’s easy to see why CSL Behring is a company known for improving the quality of life for patients with rare and serious diseases worldwide. This commitment is reflected in the company’s support of patientbased programs and activities and its ongoing partnerships with patient advocacy organizations. Turner’s passion for patient care is tangible; it’s also a key reason CSL Behring is firmly positioned on the leading edge of the plasma protein biotherapeutics industry.

A Lifelong Pursuit of Excellence

One attribute many leaders have in common is a lifelong pursuit of learning and a desire to explore new avenues of personal growth. Turner is no exception; he cites his diverse background in manufacturing, research and engineering with giving him a solid platform for career success.

“If I had stayed in my functional role based on my educational background, I would not have had the ability to learn about the business as a whole, the industry sector, and how healthcare works in different countries,” says Turner. “This has been a tremendous opportunity for me — I’m still inspired by what CSL does and the benefits we bring to people.”