THE Northern Health Science Alliance has recruited three non-executive directors and two new staff members to help further its work in creating an internationally-recognised life sciences and healthcare network in the North of England.

The non-executive directors have been recruited for their world-class expertise across healthcare, biotechnology, venture capitalism and industry. They will help the NHSA to focus its efforts to achieve the best outcomes for the North’s life and healthcare sciences sector.

Professor Steve Myint is a Singapore-based health and biopharmaceutical professional with global board and executive team level practice. He provides strategic and medical input into biopharma companies and the healthcare industry globally.

Alan Payne is the Chief Digital & Information Officer at Nuffield Health, the UK’s leading not for profit healthcare organisation. Based in Surrey he is responsible for all aspects of technology supporting the complex needs of the growth-focused, full continuum healthcare organisation.

Dr Stéphen Méry is a former venture capitalist with extensive experience in the healthcare industry. He is currently CEO of Contronics Ltd, which designs and sells laboratory monitoring equipment to UK hospital and life science research institutions. He is based in London.

Professor Ian Greer, chair of the NHSA, said: “The Northern Health Science Alliance represents 15 million patients across eight city areas and hospitals in the North.

“The expertise our new non-executive director board members (NEDs) are bringing to the alliance will allow us to drive forward the life and healthcare sciences sector in the North making it more attractive to investors and businesses globally.

“We’re looking to grow internationally and the caliber of the NEDs we have appointed is a clear statement of that intent.”

NHSA board member Siobhan McArdle, Chief Executive of South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “These appointments bring a new level of commercial expertise and business acumen to the NHSA not usually seen in this sector and which will only help to drive us forward at speed.”

NHSA board member Dr Liz Mear, Chief Executive of the North West Coast Academic Health Science Network, said: “We’ve sought out appointments to our board which will make us challenge our ways of thinking and help us to establish the North as an area which offers global opportunities to the health and life sciences sector.”

The three were recruited through The RSA Group which specialises in senior level recruitment and Talent due diligence for the Life Sciences.

Professor Steve Myint said: “The Northern Health Science Alliance provides access to an incredible amount of expertise in the healthcare and life sciences area to a global audience.

“I’m delighted to be selected to help this organisation to help grow the North into an internationally-recognised leader in this field.

Alan Payne said: “The health and life sciences are growing rapidly so I’m excited to be able to work with an organisation that identifies the opportunities that growth offers for industry and patients.”

Dr Stéphen Méry said: “The NHSA does great work in advancing the life and healthcare system in the North and showcasing it as an example of excellence. I’m delighted to have this opportunity to be able to work with them.”

The NHSA has also made two recruits to its operational team. Suzanne Ali-Hassan joins as Business Development Manager working from the NHSA’s London office. Hannah Davies joins as Communications Manager and works from the NHSA’s Newcastle office.

The NHSA recently received a £2.9m from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) which will help it to continue its work as a catalyst for growth.

The NHSA acts as a portal for funders and investors to access the expertise of the N8 universities; Newcastle, Leeds, Lancaster, Sheffield, Durham, York, Manchester and Liverpool; four Academic health science networks and eight research intensive NHS Hospital Trusts.

MEDIA CONTACT

For any more information contact Hannah Davies, Communications Manager at the NHSA hannah.davies@theNHSA.co.uk, 07342882383