2024 – present   Innovation Development Lead

Within the Innovation, Research and Life Sciences Strategy team, led on the development of strategic partnerships with industry to address NHS priorities. Role involves working closely with government officials (Office for Life Sciences, Department for Health & Social Care) on potential life science/tech partnerships that require bespoke clinical, operational, commercial, or legal arrangements. Also support proactive market engagement and provision of expert NHS input (clinical, technical, operational) to wider teams for feasibility assessment and due diligence during partnership scoping. Have written the strategy to guide how partnership opportunities are triaged (with a formula to ensure prioritisation of partnerships with the highest NHS impact). As partnerships develop, leads and coordinates the due diligence processes and governance frameworks.

2023 – 2024  Director of Research

Digital health solutions company for long-term conditions including cancer. Developed and delivered the innovation partnership strategy for digital health solutions, securing grants and leading bids to accelerate the product roadmap. Engaged NHS/academic partners to ensure innovations aligned with healthcare system needs and market readiness. Oversaw commercial contracts, investment, regulatory, governance, and compliance. Played a key role in bringing technologies from prototype to market, supporting NHS objectives and patient care through successful innovation implementation.

2022 – 2023  Head of Strategic Partnerships

Medical software company providing integrated access to healthcare records. Built strategic relationships across health/technology sectors, patient bodies, universities, and ethical bodies to enable real-time, real-world data insights. Worked with universities, biotech, pharma, and medical device companies to understand requirements for data-driven clinical trials and real-world evaluation. Led partnership activities, refining the value proposition for accessing integrated healthcare records and aligning product capabilities with partner needs. Supported research clients in analysing complex real-world datasets and led commercial negotiations resulting in technology adoption across primary and secondary care.

2018 – 2022 Team Lead – Collaborative Research & Innovation Hub

Designed and implemented the HealthTech strategy. Held accountability for strategic partnership development, brokering relationships across the healthcare sector, including NHS Trusts. Managed a team providing seamless access for over 50 HealthTech SMEs to University academic expertise, facilities, and talent. Implemented a ‘single front door’ framework to simplify collaboration and accelerate technology development.  Served as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, collaborating with regional and national stakeholders.

2016 – 2018  Senior Programme Manager (Medical Technologies & Innovations) and Business Development Manager (Clinical Research Infrastructure)

Working across two directorates to manage MedTech research portfolios and drive industry partnerships. Oversaw the end-to-end research management process for innovative medical devices and healthcare technologies, monitoring scientific, clinical, technical, and financial performance towards patient benefit and commercialisation. Promoted and facilitated high-value partnerships between pharmaceutical, biotech, and MedTech companies and NIHR’s clinical research
infrastructure to increase investment. Negotiated funding contracts/agreements on behalf of the Department of Health and performed due diligence on research/business plans, managing risk, IP, and exploitation strategies. Acted as the lead for digital health engagement, building strategic connections (NHS Digital, NHS England, NICE) and facilitating industry access to NIHR/NHS infrastructure via NOCRI’s signposting process.

2014 – 2016  Research Funding Manager

Early Diagnosis, Policy & Information Department. Managed early diagnosis funding committee and research portfolio, overseeing funding calls and grant processes. Led a team generating and interpreting early diagnosis evidence to inform policy and practice influence work.  Developed relationships with the wider research community and acted as a key link between research funding, strategy, and policy directorates. Prepared strategic briefing papers and drafted successful funding proposals.

2011 – 2014  PhD Researcher – health sciences

Led groundbreaking research in psychology and physiology, specifically into the use of algorithms in perceived exertion for exercise testing and prescription. Collaborated with researchers regarding study design, statistical analysis, publication and dissemination of research. Presented research at public engagement events and international conferences.

For further information on this candidate please use reference number:  081