Trustee of the Month – Mark Brandon-Grove
Date: 28 May 2025
Where were you born?
I was born and raised in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, which is about 10 miles south of Birmingham (greatest city in the world!). All my family are still in the West Midlands, so I’m regularly back to the motherland.
Where is home now?
I moved down to London almost 15 years ago to find my fortune, and to find love! The former is still evasive, but I succeeded in meeting my now husband, and we’ve settled in Epsom, Surrey, on the very edge of London where we have great access to both the city and the beautiful nearby countryside.
What was your first job?
I’ve worked in and around clinical research nearly two decades, but my very first job was working in a coffee shop in a garden centre. These days I love both coffee and a trip to the garden centre, but as a teenager I was much less enthused by the combination. This was the only job that I’ve ever been fired from!
What is your favourite food?
I adore exploring Spain and Greece, so all my favourite foods generally come from these countries. I like to try lots of different things, so a selection of tapa or meze are the route to my heart.
What is your favourite film?
I’ve not got a very sophisticated taste when it comes to film – I like something easy to watch that will make me laugh. Top points always go to any film featuring Melissa McCarthy!
What was the first album/single you ever bought?
I am an enthusiastic Glastonbury regular, and have been fortunate to see most of my favourite artists. These days you’ll catch me listening to all sorts, but when I started out, I was a massive Steps fan and so I think they were my first single.
What are you most proud of personally or professionally?
Professionally I am proud to have built a career in an industry which really matters and brings hope and options to patients. Specific highlights include being asked to present at international conferences in Singapore and New Orleans, and seeing numerous drugs for cancer and sexual health become standard care after having been involved in their earlier research development.
You are stranded on a desert island – what one item you would take with you (book, album, luxury item).
Sunscreen! I am a real sun worshipper, so I would find the beach and make the most of the opportunity to soak up the sun whilst not burning.
What do you enjoy most about being a Trustee?
I attended my first R&D Forum Conference in 2012, and have been involved in the Forum in various ways since then. I become a Trustee last year as I am passionate about connecting our community and amplifying our collective voice. I benefit so much from having a network of awesome research people from across the UK to call on, and being a Trustee allows me to connect and learn from and with even more!