An interview with Sharon McLoughlin, Office Director, and Isla Watt, Senior Inventory Controller
This year’s Growth Days event at Qufora’s Allerød headquarters united colleagues from multiple departments and countries. Over two days, teams aligned on the company vision and priorities, boosting collaboration across borders.
For Sharon McLoughlin and Isla Watt, first-time attendees, the event offered valuable workshops and face-to-face time to explore how we can work as one team – breaking conventional limits to improve lives through innovative bowel management solutions.
We spoke with Sharon and Isla about their impressions, key takeaways, and how they plan to apply these insights in their UK roles.
What were your first impressions of headquarters?
Isla: I was quite taken aback – and it was like, wow, I’m here. After eight years, I get to see what it looks like and meet people. It sounds a bit cheesy, but it was kind of like a little bit of a dream.
Sharon: Even though I had been before, it had been over 10 years, and the transformation really struck me. The growth of the company was clear from how the office had evolved. Meeting so many new faces helped strengthen connections and reminded me how aligned we all are, and how our shared mission is the golden thread that runs through all Qufora.
What was the atmosphere like at Growth Days?
Isla: The energy was incredible – there was excitement from start to finish. You could feel the passion in the room.
Sharon: Absolutely. You could sense the shared commitment to our products, healthcare professionals, and ultimately the patients. Every presentation, no matter the department, showed how closely our work aligns across markets.
Was there a particular presentation or speaker that really stood out to you?
Isla: Camilla’s story behind the Bowel Buddies co-creation day with patients and Healthcare professionals really stuck with me. Hearing the patient-centered backstory added a new level of appreciation. I also enjoyed the short and interactive pods.
Sharon: I was really impressed by the data-driven session – seeing how insights help improve not just products but also services like MyQufora. It was great to see how projects from the UK are influencing others globally, and that we’re trailblazing in some areas.
How did it feel to connect with colleagues from the other markets?
Isla: It was such a rare opportunity to all sit together in one room, and it genuinely felt like friendships were formed with colleagues. Meeting people I’ve worked closely with in person and seeing the warehouse gave me a whole new appreciation for their work and how it connects with ours.
Sharon: Meeting everyone face-to-face cemented working relationships. It made it easier to understand our mutual dependencies – what happens upstream affects us and vice versa. Now we’re not just faces on a screen anymore.
Did anything surprise you about hearing the other markets perspectives?
Isla: Definitely. Speaking with their clinical team highlighted how globally precious time is in healthcare – it’s not just a UK issue. And hearing from our Swedish colleagues, who work solo in their region, was eye-opening. The scale and impact they’re making as individuals was inspiring.
Sharon: I was struck by how different healthcare systems shape our work. In markets like Germany or the Netherlands, insurance plays a much larger role than in the UK. It really reinforced how fortunate we are to have the NHS.
Are there any insights or takeaways you are bringing back that you think will shape your work here in the UK?
Sharon: From an HR perspective, I’m keen to bring some of the stories we heard – like Bowel Buddies – into our onboarding process. Those stories help new employees connect emotionally with our mission from the beginning. It’s something I’ve already started speaking to the team about.
Isla: For me, visiting the warehouse and spending time with the inventory team has made a real difference. I’ve come back with a better understanding of their challenges and processes, and that will shape how I work with them going forward.
Did attending Growth Days change the way you see Qufora’s mission or your role within the company?
Isla: It didn’t necessarily change it – but it absolutely strengthened it. I’ve always had passion for what I do, but now that passion has been reignited. Meeting people, breaking down barriers, and building relationships has given me more confidence to collaborate and ask questions.
Sharon: I agree – it re-instilled the ‘why’ behind what we do. Global initiatives have always been important but seeing how they are connected to what we’re doing locally has created a real sense of connection and shared purpose across the board. It’s reminded me that everything we do ties back to improving the health of our patients lives – and that is incredibly motivating.
Looking ahead, Sharon and Isla’s Growth Days experience highlights Qufora’s unique commitment to innovation, collaboration, and improving lives – a reminder of the power of connection across teams and borders.
