In this episode, we’re joined by Abbas Hussain, an internationally recognised engineering leader and current Projects & Engineering Manager at EUROAPI.

• He oversees the end-to-end design and delivery of GMP-compliant manufacturing facilities for APIs, peptides, and oligonucleotides, combining technical depth with strategic execution.
• With over 20 years of experience in pharmaceutical and biotech engineering, Abbas has led major capital projects across global markets.
• His career includes an extensive tenure at Sanofi, where he held senior roles in process engineering, project delivery, and technology transfer.
• A regular speaker on the international stage, Abbas most recently represented EUROAPI at the 2025 ISPE Europe Annual Conference in London.

In this episode, we cover a range of topics including Culture, CAPEX, Project Planning & Delays, Sustainability, AI, Quickfire Questions and a lot more. This conversation applies broadly to all types of connections in the Life Sciences Industry, and aims to educate and inspire those who want to excel in the manufacturing and engineering space.

Follow ARTO

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/artotalent

Spotify: Leading Beyond The Lab

Instagram: Instagram (@arto.talent)

TikTok: artotalent on TikTok

Apple Podcasts: Leading Beyond The Lab

Website: Home

Youtube: ARTO Recruitment\

Abbas Hussain

Projects & Engineering Manager at EUROAPI.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbas-sayyed-028a7812/

Thomas McMann

Director - Contracts Division at ARTO

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-mcmann-05540a10b/

Timestamps:

00:00 Career Beginnings

08:31 Culture Differences

16:58 CAPEX, Project Planning & Delays

30:42 Sustainability

36:54 AI & Rounding Up

#MakingItInManufacturing #ARTOTalent #ManufacturingAndEngineering #ISPE #AI #OPEX #CDMOS #DataIntegrity #Auditing #CSV #CAPEX #Sustainability

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we feature Michael Vrijs, a well-recognised expert in cleaning validation and biopharma manufacturing, known for turning complex compliance into practical strategy:

• Currently Manager, Manufacturing Technology at Incyte (since 2021), leading cleaning process development and validation at Incyte’s biologics manufacturing site in Switzerland.
• Brings nearly 20 years of experience in biopharma manufacturing, specialising in cleaning processes, cleaning validation, tech transfer, continuous improvement, and CAPEX in multi‑product environments.
• Spent over a decade as a consultant - serving as Senior Consultant with GxP Consulting Switzerland, and holding senior C&Q/validation roles at Novartis, MSD, Biogen, Pfizer, and Dako.
• A recognised ISPE speaker, Michael shares his expertise on large stages including ISPE conferences, engaging global audiences on biopharma manufacturing best practices.

In this episode, we cover a range of topics including Michael’s Career Beginnings, Cleaning and Validation, Common Mistakes Businesses make, Auditor Handling, Advice for young Engineers, and a lot more. This conversation applies broadly to all types of connections in the Life Sciences Industry, and aims to educate and inspire those who want to excel in the manufacturing and engineering space.

Follow ARTO

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/artotalent

Spotify: Leading Beyond The Lab

Instagram: Instagram (@arto.talent)

TikTok: artotalent on TikTok

Apple Podcasts: Leading Beyond The Lab

Website: Home

Youtube: ARTO Recruitment

Michael Vrijs

Manager Manufacturing Technology

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-vrijs-84b97940/

Thomas McMann

Director - Contracts Division at ARTO

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-mcmann-05540a10b/

Timestamps:

00:00 Career Beginnings

06:09 Cleaning / Validation

13:53 Common Mistakes / Auditor Handling

22:11 Advice for Engineers

#MakingItInManufacturing #ARTOTalent #ManufacturingAndEngineering #ISPE #AI #OPEX #CDMOS #DataIntegrity #Auditing #CSV, CAPEX, Sustainability #Cleaning #Validation

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we are joined by Carsten Jasper, a globally recognised leader specialising in pharmaceutical quality, regulatory compliance, and digital transformation within life sciences.

• Carsten leads Quality & Compliance within Charles River’s R&D division, where he oversees risk management and the validation of regulated systems.
• With 20 years of experience across in-vitro diagnostics, aseptic manufacturing, and total quality management, he brings deep regulatory and operational expertise.
• He also runs Jasper Consulting and contributes to PTS Training Service, developing AI-powered tools such as VR/AR simulations and digital twins for cleanroom training.
• Previously, he held senior roles in diagnostics and chemical technology and is a regular industry speaker, most recently presenting on AI in cleanroom design at a leading Life Sciences engineering conference.

In this episode, we discuss a range of topics including CSV Validation, Risk Management, Data Integrity, AI, Auditing, Advice for Candidates and more. This conversation applies broadly to all types of connections in the Life Sciences Industry, and aims to educate and inspire those who want to excel in the manufacturing and engineering space.

Follow ARTO

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/artotalent

Spotify: Leading Beyond The Lab

Instagram: Instagram (@arto.talent)

TikTok: artotalent on TikTok

Apple Podcasts: Leading Beyond The Lab

Website: Home

Youtube: ARTO Recruitment

Carsten Jasper

Senior Director, QRM and CQV (R&D)

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carsten-jasper-59189982/

Thomas McMann

Director - Contracts Division at ARTO

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-mcmann-05540a10b/

Timestamps:

00:00 Career Beginnings

10:09 CSV Validation & Risk Management

15:13 Data Integrity & AI

23:53 Auditing

31:54 Rounding Up

#MakingItInManufacturing #ARTOTalent #ManufacturingAndEngineering #ISPE #AI #OPEX #CDMOS #DataIntegrity #Auditing #CSV

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Making It In Manufacturing, we speak with Simon Adams, a seasoned advisor and founder of Adams Bio Consulting Ltd, about the evolving demands of leadership in the Life Sciences sector.

• He is the Founder and Principal at Adams Bio Consulting Ltd, a leadership consultancy dedicated to the Life Sciences industry.
• With 25+ years of experience, he specialises in organisational transformation and leadership development in high-stakes environments.
• His career includes Pharma and Biopharma as well as the broader life sciences remit with previous roles at VP and Group Director levels in Operations, Leadership and Operational Excellence providing services in the UK and extensively across the continent.

In this episode, we discuss a range of topics including aseptic compounding, CDMOs - when, where and why use them, OPEX , leadership, cross functional management and more. This conversation applies broadly to all types of connections in the Life Sciences Industry, and aims to educate and inspire those who want to excel in the manufacturing and engineering space.

Follow ARTO

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/artotalent

Spotify: Leading Beyond The Lab

Instagram: Instagram (@arto.talent)

TikTok: artotalent on TikTok

Apple Podcasts: Leading Beyond The Lab

Website: Home

Youtube: ARTO Recruitment

Simon Adams

Founder and Principal at Adams Bio Consulting Ltd

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-adams-86005710/

Thomas McMann

Director - Contracts Division at ARTO

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-mcmann-05540a10b/

Timestamps:

00:00 Career Beginnings

07:18 Aseptic Compounding

18:50 CDMOs

28:19 OPEX

45:44 Leadership & Management

#MakingItInManufacturing #ARTOTalent #ManufacturingAndEngineering #ISPE #AI #OPEX #CDMOS

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we feature Hazem Eleskandarani, P.E., PMP, a distinguished leader in pharmaceutical engineering and quality assurance:

• Hazem leads the Global Quality Engineering team at CSL Behring, a global biopharmaceutical company specialising in plasma-derived therapies and he holds a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Utah.
• 30+ years of global experience. Hazem has expertise in manufacturing, process engineering, quality engineering, technology management, and project engineering.
• His career includes significant roles at Fluor Daniel, Jacobs Engineering, Merck, and Johnson & Johnson, where he led global commissioning and qualification initiatives, and is internationally recognised for his contributions to pharmaceutical engineering, including co-authoring the ISPE Baseline Guide 5.
• Hazem has been a featured speaker at the 2025 ISPE Europe Annual Conference, discussing topics such as risk-based qualification and good engineering practices.

In this episode, we discuss a range of topics including risk management, AI, project acceleration and its drawbacks, traits that make a great CQV engineer, common mistakes, cross functional management, as well as tips when it comes to inspectors visiting a new site. This conversation applies broadly to all types of connections in the Life Sciences Industry, and aims to educate and inspire those who want to excel in the manufacturing and engineering space.

Follow ARTO

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/artotalent

Spotify: Leading Beyond The Lab

Instagram: Instagram (@arto.talent)

TikTok: artotalent on TikTok

Apple Podcasts: Leading Beyond The Lab

Website: Home

Youtube: ARTO Recruitment

Hazem Eleskandarani

Senior Director, Global Quality Engineering

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hazem-eleskandarani-p-e-pmp-47705842/

Thomas McMann

Director - Contracts Division

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-mcmann-05540a10b/

Timestamps:

00:00 Career Beginnings

12:40 Project Acceleration & Drawbacks

20:36 Risk Management & Project Delays

31:45 AI & Leadership

38:41 Cross Functional Managing

#MakingItInManufacturing #ARTOTalent #ManufacturingAndEngineering #ISPE #AI

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we feature Hilary Mills-Baker, a distinguished expert in process automation and computer systems validation within the life sciences sector:

• Hilary serves as the Chair of the UK GAMP Community of Practice, where she leads initiatives to advance good automated manufacturing practices in the pharmaceutical industry, and was previously the European Quality and Validation Manager at Emerson Automation Solutions.
• 35+ years in process automation engineering and more than 20 years in the life sciences sector, Hilary has extensive experience in computer systems validation and quality assurance, as well as holding a BSc and an MEng in Engineering from Brunel University London.
• Hilary is internationally recognised for her contributions to the ISPE GAMP®5 good practice guides, including co-leading the update of the Process Control Systems Good Practice Guide following the publication of GAMP®5 2nd Edition.
• Hilary was a featured speaker at the 2025 ISPE Europe Annual Conference, where she discussed the integration of digitalised project execution tools in automation and AI-enabled processes.

In this episode, we discuss a range of topics including DeltaV, automation, Gender Diversity within Manufacturing and Engineering, GAMP, the ISPE conference, as well as AI and CyberSecurity and a lot more. This conversation applies broadly to all types of connections in the Life Sciences Industry, and aims to educate and inspire those who want to excel in the manufacturing and engineering space.

Follow ARTO

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/artotalent

Spotify: Leading Beyond The Lab

Instagram: Instagram (@arto.talent)

TikTok: artotalent on TikTok

Apple Podcasts: Leading Beyond The Lab

Website: Home

Youtube: ARTO Recruitment

Hilary Mills-Baker

European Manager of Quality and Validation

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hilarymillsbaker/

Thomas McMann

Director - Contracts Division

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-mcmann-05540a10b/

Timestamps:

00:00 Career Beginnings

12:03 DeltaV & Automation

16:40 AI & Cyber Security

22:31 Gender Diversity in M&E

28:42 GAMP and ISPE

#MakingItInManufacturing #ARTOTalent #ManufacturingAndEngineering #ISPE #AI

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted by Thomas McMann Making It In Manufacturing is ARTO's new in-person podcast series, spotlighting the leaders shaping the future of manufacturing and engineering.

Each episode dives into the careers, decisions, and defining moments of industry mainstays - revealing the stories and insights behind real-world impact within the manufacturing and engineering space.

If you're a leader in the space - or aspiring to be - this podcast is a must watch. Episodes are available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and all major platforms.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.