Celebrating 25 Years: A Conversation with Andrea Sobrio, Founder & Managing Partner

Andrea Sobrio, Founder and Managing Partner at Executive Insight

My goal? Continue nurturing a company that’s diverse, inclusive, and values-driven - a place where people feel respected and can be their full selves.

Vision, Values, and Legacy: Andrea’s Founding Journey at Executive Insight

Executive Insight began with a bold and personal ambition - one that Andrea helped shape from the very beginning. As a co-founder, the vision was clear: to build a consulting firm dedicated to helping pharmaceutical companies bring transformational innovation to patients, while creating a workplace where people could thrive.

“It wasn’t just about starting a business,” Andrea reflects:

From day one, Executive Insight was designed to be different. Andrea and the founding team wanted to play in the “Champions League” of consulting - working with global pharmaceutical leaders, delivering best-in-class advice, and attracting top talent. But just as important was the internal culture: a respectful, growth-oriented environment where individuals could perform at their best, learn from one another, and feel supported throughout their careers.

“It was about building something meaningful - a company with purpose, excellence, and care at its core.”

During his years in another big consulting firm, he was assigned to a pharma project and immediately felt a connection. “There’s good purpose in what you do, the people are motivated and highly educated, and the industry is rich in innovation and knowledge,” he says. “It’s a space where you can make a real impact.”

That experience sparked a long-term commitment.

Why Pharma? Andrea’s path into the pharmaceutical industry was not pre-planned - it was discovered.

It wasn’t a predefined goal - it was something I found, stayed, and chose to nurture.

Cycles of Growth and Reinvention

Executive Insight’s growth journey has been anything but linear. Andrea describes the company’s evolution in cycles - each marked by growth, reflection, and reinvention.

The first cycle, spanning the early 2000s, was about balancing ambition with survival. “We had to fund operations, attract talent, and build an offering that would resonate,” he recalls. The importance of building the foundations to client recognition was key. By 2010, the company had reached a turning point. With around 10-15 people, Executive Insight began formalizing its structure, sharpening its focus on market access, and building client relationships.

The next cycle began with a strategic shift toward long-term client relationships and operational resilience. By formalizing account management and sharpening its focus on market access, Executive Insight laid the groundwork for sustained growth throughout the 2010s. A key milestone was the opening of the London office enabling an expansion to 25-30 people, which marked the company’s evolution into a truly international firm - not just in its client work, but in its structure and DNA:

We became attractive not just to clients, but to top talent as we offered an alternative to big firms where people often feel like a number.

As the company expanded to around 45-50 people, it became clear that deeper investment in infrastructure was essential. Dedicated roles in HR, structured performance reviews, formalized training programs, and enhanced finance and IT systems were introduced to support sustainable growth. This phase also saw the formalization of a second strategic pillar - medical affairs and capability building - which proved vital during the COVID era.

The third growth cycle marked a significant leap in Executive Insight’s maturity and scale.

With a strengthened operational backbone and a growing client base, Executive Insight emerged as a highly attractive alternative to larger firms, offering both excellence and a strong sense of purpose.

After navigating the foundational phases and the departure of key senior team members, Andrea reflects on a turning point that came in Q3 of 2024. “The momentum we’ve seen since then is remarkable,” he shares. “2025 has shaped up to be an intense and successful year, with strong client engagement.” With the opening of the US office early in 2025 and a solid operational foundation in place, Andrea believes Executive Insight has entered its next growth cycle.

Established Master Service Agreements (MSAs) with half of the top 15 pharmaceutical companies

We’re ready to take the company to the next level and more consistently play in the bigger league.

What makes Executive Insight a special place to be

What makes Executive Insight special, he says, is the people. “The motivation, the values, the impact - when you create the conditions for the team to perform at its best, it’s amazing.” One of Andrea’s most powerful reflections comes from the company’s 20-year celebration in Marrakech, which coincided with a major earthquake. “What stood out was how naturally and quickly the team came together to ensure everyone was safe and supported,” he says. “It showed the strength of our culture - people who care deeply about each other and rise to the occasion.”

He also values the long-term relationships with clients. “We’re not transactional. We’re collaborators, catalyst of their success. A consultant can only be as good as their client - and when you work together over time, you create incremental synergies and real value.”

Looking ahead, Andrea sees potential in connecting clients to each other.

We’re starting to build platforms - like our Healthcare Improvement Trailblazers (HIT) Summit - where stakeholders can come together to co-create solutions. That’s where real systemic impact can happen.

Andrea’s wish for the future is clear: “To continue nurturing a company that’s diverse, inclusive, and values-driven - a place where people feel respected and can be their full selves.”

Andrea likes to think about Executive Insight as “the United Nations of consulting”.

Looking Ahead: Legacy and Leadership

Andrea sees Executive Insight as a role model for how companies can thrive independently, with a culture of collaboration:

“We’re the masters of our own destiny. That gives us the freedom to do what’s right - for our clients and for ourselves.”

A culture of collaboration

Looking Ahead: Legacy and Leadership

Andrea’s wish for the future is clear: “To continue nurturing a company that’s diverse, inclusive, and values-driven - a place where people feel respected and can be their full selves.” Andrea likes to think about Executive Insight as “the United Nations of consulting”.

He sees Executive Insight as a role model for how companies can thrive independently, with a culture of collaboration: “We’re the masters of our own destiny. That gives us the freedom to do what’s right - for our clients and for ourselves.”

On a personal level, Andrea is driven by the idea of legacy.

“I hope everyone who’s been part of Executive Insight feels they’ve left the company in a better place than when they joined it.”

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