Alan qualified in medicine in 1984 from the University of Glasgow.  He trained as a family doctor and worked in Clydebank, near Glasgow. 

His interest in diabetes led to him joining Novo Nordisk in 1998, becoming their UK Medical Director in 2001.  Alan gained membership of the UK’s Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine in 2002 and became a Fellow in 2013.  

After leaving Novo Nordisk and following leadership positions with several companies, Alan joined Astellas UK as Medical Director in 2009.  He moved to a regional European role in 2014 and was promoted to Head of Medical Affairs for Asia Oceania in 2016.