About Warman O'Brien
Who we are
Warman O'Brien was established in September 2017 by Mark and Caroline O'Brien as a Biometrics recruitment consultancy, and has grown into a global Life Sciences recruitment partner serving clients across 25+ countries. The team works from the Twickenham (West London) headquarters since August 2021, with international offices in the United States and Auckland, New Zealand, and a candidate database of over 30,000 professionals across the pharmaceutical and biotech industries.
The company is APSCO accredited and has been recognised as Great Place to Work® for three consecutive years, the #1 Small Life Sciences Recruitment Agency, and is included in the Top 35 UK Small Business Best Workplaces™.
What we do
Warman O'Brien specialises in Life Sciences recruitment across nine functional areas:
- Biometrics — Statistical Programming, Biostatistics, Clinical Data Management
- Clinical Research
- Regulatory Affairs
- Tech Ops & Manufacturing
- Commercial & C-Suite
- Data Sciences
- Preclinical
- Medical & Clinical Development
- Digital Transformation
The team comprises ex-industry experts who bring firsthand pharmaceutical experience. The firm reports a 90% interview success rate and closes 96% of search processes within 8 weeks. Services span permanent placement, contract roles, and executive search.
Working at Warman O'Brien — the four-day week
Warman O'Brien participated in the UK 4 Day Week Global Pilot Program and made the four-day work week permanent in 2022 "with no reduction in pay, holidays, or hours." Following the trial, the team reported a "significant increase in productivity and a decrease in absenteeism," with Great Place to Work UK survey findings showing greater happiness, motivation, and improved work-life balance. As Kay Wilson, Talent Acquisition Manager, put it, the policy provides "freedom" and "autonomy" while reinforcing organisational trust.
The company operates on four core values: passionate (driven by science), supportive (empowering success), collaborative (uniting people), and trusting (reliable and responsible).
Giving back
Since 2021, the team has donated over £40,000 to charities including the Institute of Cancer Research, Jigsaw Youth Mental Health, and Alzheimer's Research UK. The company's primary charity partner is Brain Tumour Research.
Team Benefits
- 4-day work week with no reduction in pay, holidays, or hours
- 25 days annual leave plus UK public holidays
- 1.5-hour lunch breaks for wellness and exercise
- Tailored training and mentoring with directorship possible in under 10 years
- Yearly 5-star team holidays, quarterly team days out, and lunch clubs at Michelin Star restaurants
- Table tennis tournaments and a vibrant Twickenham office culture
- Recognition as a Great Place to Work for three consecutive years
- APSCO accredited recruitment standards
- Hybrid working between Twickenham, US, and Auckland offices
- Charity partnerships including Brain Tumour Research and £40,000+ donated since 2021