Dr Maria Palmer

Maria has been involved in the NHS R&D Forum since it’s inception and has been its Director since 2007. A pharmacist by profession she gained a Masters degree and PhD by research and has been involved in a wide range of laboratory, clinical and health services research. Maria has been involved in R&D management since 1996, including 10 years as R&D Director for the University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust leading on the trust’s Culyer declaration and funding bids.

Dr Shona Haining

Shona has worked in various R&D roles operationally and strategically in the North East for many years, mainly in Primary Care but also secondment or joint posts into secondary care, mental health and NHS England. Her current role is as Head of Research & Evidence for North of England Commissioning Support. She leads to deliver the research and evidence statutory duties of the 11 Clinical Commissioning Groups over the North East and North Cumbria. She is passionate about the professional and essential role research can play in the whole pathway of research from ideas to implementing outcomes to improve patient care.

Dr Angela Ball

Angela has worked in clinical research for about 20 years and has been associated with the forum since 2002. She has experience of managing research to meet U.K., USA and Middle Eastern compliance requirements. Angela was previously Assistant Executive Director of Business Development and Research at the Hamad Medical Corporation in Doha where she modernised their research management practices, established the corporation’s IRB and achieved accreditation against the JCI criteria. Prior to this she worked at the Christie NHS Foundation Trust where she was the Associate Director of Research, her role included the management of the research division which included facilities such as the research tissue bank, trials coordination unit, patient recruitment facilities and staff.