From Garden Leave to Consultancy: My Journey into Independent Life Sciences Executive Research

Stepping away from a long career in life sciences executive research brought unexpected clarity. After years of working within established organisations, garden leave gave me the rare chance to pause and reflect on what I truly wanted from my professional life. The answer came quietly, while tending to my garden: I wanted to build something of my own.

This post shares my journey from being an employee to launching Sharon Shields Consulting, a specialist consultancy focused on executive research, market mapping, and talent intelligence for life sciences organisations. I’ll explain why this shift felt necessary, how I aligned my skills with market needs, and who I hope to support through this new venture.

Why I Chose to Start Sharon Shields Consulting

For most of my career, I worked behind the scenes on executive research. This work supports successful hires at the C-suite and senior scientific levels, a critical but often overlooked part of leadership recruitment. I know this world well and have always enjoyed the depth and detail it requires.

When garden leave arrived earlier this year, it created space to think clearly about my next steps. I realised I wanted to build a consultancy that:

• Focuses on executive research tailored to life sciences

• Provides detailed market mapping to understand talent landscapes

• Delivers talent intelligence that helps organisations make informed decisions

  
  

My goal was to serve life sciences organisations across the UK, Europe, and the US. I also wanted to partner with executive search consultancies that need reliable research support for complex or senior mandates. This work puts people at the core, values depth and accuracy, and provides clarity for founders, boards, investors, and search partners.

Building Something That Fits

Starting a consultancy from scratch is both energising and grounding. It means creating systems, processes, positioning, and a brand that reflect who I am and what the market needs. This process has been a mix of excitement and challenge, but it feels deeply aligned with:

• What I’m skilled at after years in executive research

• What my network has told me the sector needs following two tough years

• The kind of work I want to do every day

  
  

This alignment makes the work feel purposeful and sustainable. It’s not just about filling a gap but about creating something that adds real value to life sciences organisations and their leadership teams.

A tranquil garden path amidst lush greenery offers a peaceful space for reflection.

Who I Work With and How I Can Help

My consultancy is designed to support a range of clients in the life sciences sector:

• Biotech companies scaling up who need to strengthen their leadership teams

• Pharma and MedTech organisations looking to build or refresh senior teams

• Executive search firms requiring specialist research support for complex searches

  
  

I bring deep experience in executive research combined with a strong understanding of market dynamics and talent trends. This means I can provide insights that help clients make confident hiring decisions and build leadership teams that drive success.

If you are involved in any of these areas, I’m happy to share insights and explore how my consultancy can support your goals.

What Makes Executive Research in Life Sciences Unique

Executive research in life sciences is not just about finding candidates. It requires:

• Understanding scientific and commercial nuances that impact leadership needs

• Mapping talent pools that are often niche and highly specialised

• Providing intelligence that goes beyond resumes to include cultural fit, leadership style, and potential for growth

  
  

This depth of insight helps boards and investors make decisions that shape the future of their organisations. It also supports search partners by providing a foundation of reliable, detailed research that guides their recruitment strategies.

Lessons Learned from Garden Leave

Taking time away from daily work routines allowed me to:

• Reflect on what motivates me professionally

• Identify gaps in the market where my skills could make a difference

• Build confidence to take the leap into entrepreneurship

  
  

This period of reflection was crucial. It showed me that stepping back can lead to clearer vision and stronger purpose.

Looking Ahead

Sharon Shields Consulting officially launches on 23rd July 2026. I’m excited about the opportunities ahead and the chance to work closely with life sciences organisations and executive search partners. The journey from garden leave to consultancy has been transformative, and I look forward to building something that truly supports leadership in this vital sector.

If you want to discuss how I can help with executive research, market mapping, or talent intelligence, please reach out. Together, we can build leadership teams that make a difference.