AstraZeneca awarded National Chemical Landmark blue plaque

AstraZeneca’s Macclesfield Campus has been awarded a prestigious Blue Plaque by the Royal Society of Chemistry in recognition of a contribution of almost sixty years to science and medicine. 

Royal Society of Chemistry CEO, Dr Helen Pain MBE, said: “It’s a great pleasure to share in this celebration of the enormous achievements of chemical scientists at the AstraZeneca Macclesfield Campus.

“Scientists tend to focus more on the future – our role is to keep pushing the boundaries of scientific knowledge, and come up with innovative solutions, whether that’s developing more sustainable methods of generating energy and growing food, or new ways of detecting and treating diseases.

“Events like this one are a rare chance to pause and reflect on our shared history, celebrating the vital contributions that chemical scientists have made to our society. But science isn’t just about inspiration, it’s also about collaboration.

“The biggest breakthroughs usually happen when people with different backgrounds and areas of expertise work together, and the Chemical Landmark celebrates achievements of a diverse range of teams who have worked at the Macclesfield Campus over the past nearly sixty years.” 

Sarah Dayre, Macclesfield Campus Lead, said: “We are so proud to receive this award from the Royal Society of Chemistry. It is a true recognition of the incredible work of the thousands of dedicated people who have passed through our Campus working in the service of science and patients across the world – and the 5,000 employees who still do.”

“It’s fantastic that we have received this honour in the year we’re celebrating the 25th anniversary of the merger of the then Zeneca with the Swedish company Astra,  to form AstraZeneca.”

The Blue Plaque was awarded to AZ in a ceremony held last week.  Former AZ employees as well as current graduates and apprentices and RSC-affiliated colleagues from across the Campus were joined by local dignitaries, and representatives from AZ’s local charity partners – the East Cheshire Hospice and the Silklife foodbank.

The event also looked forward to the future, with pupils from Hurdsfield Primary School attending. Also present were pupil’s representing a group of nine schools who AZ partner with to further the awareness of STEM careers in the North West.