Dr Nicola Williams is National Director of Support & Delivery, Health and Care Research Wales. She has been an active researcher for 20+ years, initially delivering research projects and programmes in primary care and public health. Prior to her role in Wales, she was Deputy Director of R&D in North Bristol Trust, and jointly established one of the Comprehensive Local Research Networks in England. In parallel, she has worked as a policy and change advisor to the Welsh and UK Governments, and Health Research Authority. She has been Chair of the Programme Content Group since 2016.

Dr. Allyson Bailey is the Training Lead for the R&D Forum and has worked for the NHS in various capacities since 1994 and has been a Research and Development Officer in NHS Forth Valley since 2004 as well as Commercial R&D Manager for NHS Fife and an IRAS Business Change Specialist for the HRA. She has been involved in all aspects of the R&D journey from project development to archiving, as well as carrying out a small NHS research project of her own. In addition to delivering training for the NHS R&D Forum she is a GCP Trainer. Allyson has a PhD in Classical Archaeology from the University of Edinburgh. In her spare time she is a very amateur wildlife photographer and volunteers at two zoos. She has written two books, one on evolution and the other about her experiences on a conservation project in Namibia

Carolyn is the R&I Director of Operations at Leicester’s Hospitals and has been working in research management for over 20 years. She has a reputation for her no nonsense, pragmatic and proportionate approach. Carolyn has a keen interest in helping individuals to develop psychological safety and to promote civility and respect in all aspects of the research management process.

Angela Topping has been a member of the R&D Forum Executive since August 2021 and a Trustee of R&D Forum Charity since 2022. A Chartered Management Accountant by profession, she started her career in the NHS and moved to Newcastle University to become the Faculty Accountant in the Faculty of Medical Sciences in 1998. In 2002, she was promoted to Faculty Accountant, and in that time was responsible for not only the operational and strategic financial planning for the faculty, but also acted as the finance specialist in major capital developments including new programmes, investment in equipment and estate research infrastructure and the development and early operations of the Newcastle University campus in Malaysia. Angela took on a secondment opportunity in January 2018 as Head of Newcastle Joint Research Office (NJRO) and was appointed substantive in that role in September 2018 until August 2024. In that time, the NJRO has developed a culture of shared purpose, underpinned by foundations of trust, psychological safety, equality, diversity and inclusion and wellbeing. Angela completed an MSc in Coaching and Mentoring in September 2023, is a coach and mentor a listening volunteer for Samaritans, a Mental Health First Aider, Q Member and active in the local and national discussions around research culture.

Helen is the Research and Development Forum Coordinator and Research Manager for North East & North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB). As Research Manager, Helen supports and manages the delivery and development of primary care research and evaluations in the North East, North Cumbria and North Yorkshire. Prior to this role she worked clinically as a Midwife and as a Research Facilitator supporting GP practices in Newcastle and North Tyneside. Helen has also completed a Masters in Clinical Research (Leadership) from Newcastle University. Helen’s Dissertation was titled “Research activity and quality indicators in primary care” and this has been disseminated widely locally and at national conferences.