Yvette Cleland

Yvette is CEO of Cpl Life Sciences, a leading global talent firm in the life sciences sector. With a career that spans the pharmaceutical and professional staffing industries, her ardent passion is bridging the growing skills gap in the field of life sciences. Honoured in 2019 and 2021 by Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA) as one of the top 50 most powerful women in staffing globally, Yvette’s accolades reflect her commitment to excellence and her relentless resolve to innovate within the life sciences industry. 

Yvette’s early career started with eight transformative years in the pharmaceutical industry. During this time, Yvette gained an in-depth understanding of the complexities and challenges unique to life sciences. Her subsequent move into professional staffing allowed her to blend her expertise in both areas, driving unparalleled success for clients.

In 2012, Yvette joined Clinical Professionals to scale the business for acquisition, stimulate robust growth, and diversify its brand portfolio. She was the driving force behind the company's global expansion, most notably breaking into the U.S. market in 2017. Under her watchful eye, Clinical Professionals was successfully acquired by Cpl. Yvette went on to develop and launch the award-winning Graduate Academy, initiated ground breaking CEO/CMO Biotech Summits, and was a pivotal player in the UK apprenticeship trailblazers, paving the way for the next generation of talent. 

In 2019, Yvette was privileged to author a Parliamentary Review addressing life science skill shortages. A sought-after speaker, she frequently enlightens industry stakeholders about the urgent "wake up call" the sector faces in addressing the skills gap in life sciences. Energised by the challenges and prospects that lie ahead, Yvette is unwaveringly committed to the mission of shaping the future of life sciences through targeted talent placement.