Busy publisher Georgina Fihosy earns top award for day-time pharma role
What do an award-winning pharmacist, business leader and greeting card publisher have in common – that’s just a few of the identities for Georgina Fihosy.
As a pharmacist by trade Georgina, who is also the designer and founder behind AfroTouch Design, offers business coaching and is a GCA council member, has just been crowned with the Future Leaders title at the PF Awards 25 organised by PharmaFields.
“Wow! what an incredible night!” Georgina said, and explained that, across every pharmaceutical company in the country the judges were looking for individuals who have made an outstanding start or have demonstrated meaningful impact in their careers to date and have the capability and ambition to move into future leadership roles.
Coming just before International Women’s Day on Saturday, 8 March, she was rightly proud of her achievement for her work with multinational pharmaceutical corporation Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK, where she helps strategic partnerships transform healthcare access, alongside NHS leaders, public health teams, and local communities.
She added: “To be shortlisted was an honour but to win – it blew my mind! I’m so proud to have driven initiatives that are truly helping to tackle health inequalities. This recognition isn’t just about me, it’s about the power of collaboration, purpose-driven leadership, and creating solutions that drive real change.
“As a mother, pharma professional, and business owner, harmonising these roles hasn’t been easy. Juggling school runs with strategy meetings, navigating self-doubt – these moments are real. But this award proves that whatever age or circumstance, women don’t have to choose between ambition and personal commitments, we can excel in all.”
While working full-time, Georgina has been busy with what she calls her “side hustle” of publishing African-inspired cards, stationery and gifts since 2015, originally under the name Special Touch Designs which she rebranded in 2019 to AfroTouch Design, and was a finalist in The Henries Awards 2024 Best Diversity & Inclusion Range – and she has a licensed range available through UK Greetings.
She explained: “I started while on maternity leave with my second child – I now have three wonderful children –mainly out of frustration around the lack of representation in the greeting cards industry. I wanted to find a greeting card for a friend who’d just had a baby and couldn’t find one with a black baby or one that reflected her and her family and this beautiful occasion.
“I wanted something fun and cultural so decided to make one myself – I’m self-taught and learned how to make and design cards via Google university!
“Then I wanted a name and brand that would truly resonate and explain through the name, what I did – I give products an AfroTouch! I really want to share a touch of West Africa through our stationery, greeting cards and gift items.”
She also offers mentoring and business coaching, and was one of the all-female panel at the GCA’s 2024 Dragons Speed Dating sessions, revealing how her business success has been based around having established multiple income streams including wholesale, consumer and trade websites, and bespoke corporate work, adding that she’d overcome a natural shyness and worked on improving her communication and public speaking skills.
Georgina commented: “What this award represents to me is the importance of bridging the gap between sectors, between communities, and between ambition and action. Leadership isn’t about doing it alone; it’s about bringing people together, aligning visions, and delivering sustainable impact.
To those who aspire to lead never underestimate the impact you can have. Leadership is about consistency, courage, and the willingness to challenge the status quo.”
