What We Do
Flarin Holdings Limited is an independent company dedicated to the progressive international commercialisation of Flarin.
What is Flarin?
Flarin is the first and only lipid formulated ibuprofen analgesic. It is widely patented internationally and is clinically proven to be as effective as twice the dose of standard ibuprofen. Flarin 200 mg soft capsules and Flarin Joint & Muscular Pain Relief 200 mg soft capsules are indicated for a wide range of symptoms including relief of rheumatic pain or muscular pain, back pain. Flarin 200 mg soft capsules is also indicated for the pain of non-serious arthritic conditions caused by swelling, stiffness and inflammation. Always read the label. For further details about the Flarin product see www.flarin.co.uk .
Our History and Ownership
Flarin was developed and launched in the UK by our predecessor company infirst Healthcare Ltd. In 2019 the Flarin business and associated intellectual property was demerged into infirst Limited which is 100% owned by Flarin Holdings Limited.
The current owners of Flarin Holdings Limited include corporate shareholdings held by ITV plc, Hambro Perks Ltd and Biocopea Ltd and a large number of private holdings including shareholders introduced by IW Capital Ltd.
Our Board
Manfred Scheske
Chairman
Manfred is Non-Executive Director and Chairman of infirst Limited’s parent company, Flarin Holdings Ltd. He was previously CEO of the Infirst Healthcare Group and spent 25 highly successful years with GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Health including presidency roles for Europe and North America. Manfred was President of the ‘think tank’ Nuremberg Institute for Market Decisions, a German-based ‘non-profit organisation, where he continues to serve as Honorary President. Manfred has given long service to industry associations having been on the Boards of CHPA in the USA, AESGP in Europe and PAGB in the UK. Manfred holds further non-executive Board roles in Germany where he serves on the Board of the largest European Health & Beauty retail chain and
in the USA as a member of the Board of a global market research organisation.
Philip Lindsell
Managing Director
Philip joined Infirst Healthcare as Chief Financial Officer in November 2018 and was appointed Chief Financial Officer of Flarin Holdings Limited in October 2019 and Managing Director in 2023. He is a chartered accountant and has been CFO of a variety of public and privately owned companies since 1990. Philip is an engineering graduate of Oxford University and started his career at Deloitte Haskins & Sells in London and in the oil and energy industries in financial management, commercial and consultancy roles.
Alan Armstrong
Non-Executive Director
Alan is a Non-Executive Director of Flarin Holdings Limited, working with the management team and managing IW Capital’s investment in the Company. He is the Head of Investment at IW Capital and Chair of its Investment Committee. He sits on the Board of a number of its portfolio investments, working closely with the management teams. He has over 30 years of experience as a private equity professional and is a former director of NatWest Equity Partners (Bridgepoint Capital) prior to buying into and managing a PE backed group of international businesses. He read Economics and Accounting at Newcastle University and has been a member of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment for over 20 years
Robin Lincoln
Non-Executive Director
Robin is a portfolio operating partner at Hambro Perks. He has over 25 years of private equity and venture capital experience, working with portfolio companies to achieve their full potential.
Robin’s prior experience includes head of the venture portfolio at Oxford Capital, head of business services practice at HgCapital, part of the equity restructure team at Lloyds Bank and investment director at Living Bridge. He has served on more than 40 boards for investors and is a qualified chartered accountant.
Richard Huston
Non-Executive Director
Richard has over 30 years’ experience in the Financial Industry and in that time has held Executive roles in Asia, Europe and the UK.
He has been involved in start-ups and small businesses in both the UK and the US and is currently MD of Seek Group, a pharmaceutical company and holds several related Directorships in Biotech.
Karen Stoner
Chief Scientific Officer
Karen is responsible for Consumer Marketing and Drug Development Karen has over 30 years of experience in leading drug development across a range of therapeutic areas including women’s health, endocrinology, osteoarthritis, respiratory and urology. She began her career in clinical research and has gained broad experience in pharmaceutical development from working with a number of pharmaceutical companies, including 18 years at Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals. Karen graduated from the University of Southampton with a degree in Physiology and Pharmacology and later completed a postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration. She is an honorary fellow of the Institute of Clinical Research and maintains an active interest in training in clinical research
Martyn Buckley
Director of Sales & Marketing Activation
Martyn is responsible for Sales and Marketing Activation in the UK. He has 25 years of experience in Pharmaceutical, Consumer Healthcare and FMCG, working with companies such as Novartis, Nutricia and McCormick Foods.
With a background in business development and enablement, Martyn is a skilled strategist and has worked “hands-on” to enable sales development, implementation, and route-to-market strategies.
Karel Deckers
Director of Manufacturing & Sales
Before joining Infirst Healthcare Karel had a 23 year career with GlaxoSmithKline and its legacy companies. Being responsible for global external supplies Karel was a member of GSK Consumer Healthcare’s manufacturing and supply leadership team. Prior to that he held various senior positions in procurement and logistics within GlaxoSmithKline. Karel began his career in Belgium in the Chemicals and Automotive sector before moving to Germany and later to London. Karel studied Business Management at the LBC College in Antwerp.
Phuong Chu
Director of Finance
Phuong is responsible for the company’s financial activities, working closely with all other departments including supply chain and sales. She is a qualified chartered certified accountant and joined the company in 2019, following 6 years of financial management experience in real estate. She has an MSc in Finance and Investment from Bristol University and a degree from the Foreign Trade University in Vietnam.
Berin Kan Kemer
Head of Consumer & Healthcare Marketing
Berin is responsible for the consumer and healthcare professional marketing of Flarin. Bringing over 10 years of experience in FMCG and pharmaceutical marketing she joined Infirst in April 2024. She started her career in Turkey in regulatory affairs and transitioned into Marketing. She worked for Eczacıbaşı for several years and later continued her career in the UK with Reckitt. Berin has expertise in developing marketing strategies, managing diverse product portfolios. Berin holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the Faculty of Pharmacy at Ankara University, earned in 2010, and is a member of the Turkish Professional Chamber of Pharmacy.
Zeenat Badul
Regulatory Operations & Quality Compliance Manager
Zeenat is responsible for management and oversight of regulatory projects, pharmacovigilance and quality compliance. Prior to joining infirst, Zeenat had 7 years’ experience within a Quality Consultancy working with several pharmaceutical companies, implementing their quality management systems and project management of auditing programmes. Zeenat graduated from the University of Surrey with a degree in BSc (Hons) Computing.
Stephanie Simmonds
Supply Planning & Distribution Manager
Stephanie is responsible for Flarin’s supply planning and distribution. Prior to joining Infirst, Stephanie had 10 years’ experience working in supply chain and logistics for manufacturing companies and API traders. She has a MSc in Supply Chain Management from Anglia Ruskin University and a degree in International Relations from Universidad del Norte in Barranquilla, Colombia.
Ngoc Nguyen
Accountant
Ngoc is responsible for accounting services, financial transactions and procedures, ensuring financial activities operate smoothly and in compliance with company policy and statute.
Formerly a quality control specialist/ team leader, she has over three years’ experience in developing and executing audit procedures, operational processes, identifying risks and implementing solutions ensuring compliance and operational efficiency. Ngoc graduated from University of Greenwich with a Bachelor degree in Accounting and Finance, and also holds a Bachelor degree in Corporate Finance from Academy of Finance, Vietnam.
Mary O’Hagan
Office Manager
Mary joined infirst+ Limited in 2019 having been a founding team member of infirst Healthcare established in 2013. She manages the daily administrative operations for the company in the role of Office Manger which is multi-tasked and cross-functional. Following a 7-year career at London Business School, Mary spring-boarded into private equity, specialising in operational processes for start-up companies. Mary has accounting qualifications and is a qualified Speech and Drama teacher having worked as a professional voice-over artist in radio and television.
