Pfizer's senior vice-president Dr Annette Doherty praised the joint achievements of her colleagues at Sandwich and around the world after her investiture as an OBE by the Queen at Buckingham Palace.

Dr Doherty became an Officer of the Order of the British Empire after being named on Her Majesty’s birthday honours list in May in recognition of 22 years’ dedication to medicines research.

She said: “Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to be part of and to lead truly outstanding teams of scientists.

“I’ve had the great fortune of working with colleagues from across the spectrum of medicinal science, both inside and outside of Pfizer and the pharmaceutical industry, and have been proud to join them in promoting the importance of our work.” The head of worldwide pharmaceutical sciences for global research and development attended the palace with her parents, William and Sheelagh, and her husband, Dr Julian Salt.

Dr Doherty has been appointed as the industry member on the Medical Research Council.