Gillian obtained the degree MPharm (cum laude) from the University of Pretoria , South Africa in 1989 majoring in clinical pharmacy. She also has a bachelors degree in Pharmacy from Rhodes University, South Africa and completed the INSEAD , International Executives Programme (IEP) in France and Singapore in 2003.
Her last position in the formal workplace was as CEO for Africa of the US based company Quintiles Transnational, she was/is based in Pretoria from 2004-2012, when she took early retirement to pursue her passion for Africa and its people .To be in a position to contribute as a healthcare professional to this Sub Saharan region and other emerging markets.
Gillian was born in Zimbabwe and started her professional career in South Africa in 1985,with a French based pharmaceutical company, moving up within the company to hold various senior positions.
In 1990 she was a co-founder of Clindepharm International Pty Ltd, the first clinical contract research organization (CRO) in South Africa. This company was acquired by Quintiles Transnational Inc., a USA based company, she held various senior positions in this company in the US and Brazil. Gillian was also a board member for the Quintiles Africa, Asia and Australia (AAA) region and the Quintiles Europe Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region.
She also co-founded two natural therapy companies Phytotherapy Pty Ltd and Phytoderm cc.
She has initiated various community based programmes in Brazil and South Africa which have enabled young disadvantaged youth to enter the workplace.
In November 2012 Gillian joined Cytespace Africa, a clinical trials investigational site solutions organization
Offering efficiencies and productivity solutions to recruit patients into clinical trials in Asia and Africa as well as capacity building and skills transfers at clinical sites.
In 2013 Aquipharma acquired Triclinium Product Development Pty Ltd and Gillian was the Chairman of the Board of Directors until the company was sold to a South African Enterprise in 2017.
She is an International Council member for Accordia.com promoting clinical research in Africa.