Stockport pharmaceuticals firm leadership recognised among UK’s most ambitious business leaders

The leadership team of Stockport-based Seda Pharmaceutical Development Services (SEDA), has been recognised by LDC as among the UK’s most ambitious business leaders.

The firm’s Chief Scientist, Dr Paul Dickinson; Chief Business Officer, Dr Marcel de Matas; and CEO, Dr Paul Stott, have been named among the The LDC Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders of 2025.

Founded in 2015 in Cheshire, before relocating to Cheadle in 2021, SEDA supports biotech clients in the design, development and market approval of novel medicinal products in a wide range of therapeutic areas.

Recognition for SEDA’s leadership team follows the business being awarded a King’s Award for Enterprise Outstanding Short-Term Growth in overseas sales in 2024. That same year, the businesses opened a new manufacturing facility in Cheadle that is expected to create up to 100 new jobs by 2029 and further cement Greater Manchester and the wider North West as a global hub for the life sciences sector.

Now in its eighth year, The LDC Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders of 2025 celebrates the founders, CEO and managing directors championing who are demonstrating remarkable ambition and driving the UK economy forward.

In a Q&A with LDC, discussing inclusion in the Top 50, SEDA co-founder and Chief Scientist, Dr Paul Dickinson, said:

“The three of us never stand still, we are never satisfied, we are always thinking about the next opportunity to create value for our clients and their patients.”

John Garner, Managing Partner at LDC, part of the Lloyds Banking Group, said:

“In the eight years since we launched The LDC Top 50 we’ve had the honour of meeting some exceptional business leaders. This year’s cohort has shown drive and ambition in their growth journeys, proven remarkable resilience, and together they are making a real difference to their employees, the communities they work in and society at large. I’d like to congratulate them on everything they’ve achieved so far. Their success stories are only just beginning, and we’re excited to see where their journey takes them next.”