NHS R&D Forum Groups
Non-Commercial Sponsors Group
This group focuses on Sponsorship and brings together experienced NHS and HEI representatives from non-commercial Sponsor teams. The purpose is to drive non-commercial Sponsorship practice forward.
The group develops an annual symposium, supports resources in the resources exchange and monitors hot topics for the community; feeding into training, conference and the HRA non-commercial Sponsors groups. The group generally meets by teleconference.
The HRA are happy for people to join the Non-commercial sponsors reference group please contact info@rdforum.org.uk for more information
Group Chair(s):
Sean Scott
Sean has over twelve years’ experience working in clinical research for the public sector, across both the NHS and HEIs. He graduated with an MSc in Clinical Research from Liverpool University and is currently Head of Newcastle Joint Research Office for Newcastle Hospitals, supporting the NHS/academic interface in health and care research.
Sean is lead for research sponsorship and governance with specialist interests in quality and risk management. He works closely with a number of the R&D forum groups nationally and supports the North East region with quality improvement, process development and teaching, sharing best practice to increase the profile of clinical research.
Dipak Patel
Dipak has twenty years’ experience working in clinical research for the public sector, across both the NHS and HEIs. He is the Associate Director Research & Innovation at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals and has a wealth of experience in the set up and delivery of research and introduction of innovation to services, working closely with University partners, other NHS Trusts, the Clinical Research Networks and Pharma.
Group Members:
Jessica Bisset
Research Operations Manager
University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust
Benita Hallewell-Goodwin
R&D Coordinator
The Christie NHS Foundation Trust
Jen Harrison
HRA Approval Change Manager
Health Research Authority
Gemma Jones
Head of Clinical Trial Operations
Comprehensive Clinical Trials Unit. University College London
Dr Mikayala King
Quality Assurance Manager
University Hospitals Southampton NHS Foundation Trust
Heidi Nield
Clinical Trial Operations Director
EpiGen Consortium, University of Southampton
Heather Rogers
RD&I Governance Manager
Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Sean Scott
Regulatory Compliance Manager
The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Sarah Townsend
Research and Development Manager
Velindre Cancer Centre, Velindre NHS Trust
Birgit Whitman
Head of Research Governance and Integrity
University of Birmingham
Angela Williams
Head of Research & Development
NoCLOR
- Lead new work related to the themes, in their specific areas of interest.
- Create resources where there are gaps
- Influence partners & invited stakeholders. Discuss their work, ask for opinions and shape policy.
- Share expertise and gather intelligence from and for the community
- Horizon scan for what is of interest to the community. Horizon scanning and conducting community surveys
- Develop consultation responses
- Act as a point of reference & contact for the members with questions or peer review
- Feed into general Forum training, conference and events programmes.
- Champion the NHS R&D Forum and our community.
- Speak for and represent the research management, support and leadership community.
- Drive the Forum forward and provide leadership
- Strategically, proposing Forum content, providing leadership and ensuring oversight of outputs
- As a point of contact, providing peer support to colleagues
- As a Task and finish, producing outputs and resources
- As a space to work out loud, sharing experience and connecting with colleagues.