Best Startup
At Best Startup UK we track over 130,000 UK startups and over 500,000 people who hold key positions in these companies. We use this directory of startups to highlight top employees, founders and board members we think deserve more appreciation than they are currently getting.
This list showcases the top United Kingdom based Executive Director operating in the Health Care space. If you think a Executive Director is missing from this list, feel free to contact our editor on editor@beststartup.co.uk.
The individuals on this list have been included because of exceptional performance in one of the following categories:
- Innovation – Operating as a key part in an extremely innovative business or startup.
- Growth – Operating as a key figure in the growth and upscale of a market leading business or startup.
- Management – Showing exceptional management skills.
- Societal impact – Putting their business on the map for their positive societal or environmental impact.
Our Data – We source our data from OSINT (open source intelligence) and public directories such as Companies House UK, Crunchbase, SemRush and many more. The data from these sources should be treated with a degree of caution and verified yourself.
Claus Bendtsen
Executive Director of AstraZeneca
Claus Bendtsen heads Quantitative Biology as part of Discovery Sciences within AstraZeneca. His department provides global support in areas of informatics, mathematical modelling, image analytics and non-clinical statistics. Prior to joining AstraZeneca he held positions at Novartis and Merck & Co. Earlier in his career he co-founded three start-ups and worked in academia. He holds a Ph.D. in applied mathematics and an MBA.
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About AstraZeneca: AstraZeneca is a global pharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, manufactures, and markets prescription medicines.
David Clark
Independent Non-Executive Director of Constellation Healthcare Technologies
A fund manager for 25 years, David Clark began his career with six years at Scottish Mutual as an investment analyst before joining Ignis Asset Management (formerly Resolution) where he worked from 1993 until September 2014. At Ignis he was responsible for the UK Smaller Companies quoted investments across all sectors. His universe of potential investment candidates included not only those stocks quoted in FTSE UK Small Cap Index but also the Fledgling Index and companies quoted on AIM. His performance resulted in him being ranked number two Fund Manager in the UK (2009) across all sectors by Citywire. David graduated from Glasgow University with a Bachelor of Accountancy Degree and also holds an MSc in Investment Analysis from Stirling University.
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About : Constellation Healthcare Technologies provides a holistic, integrated suite of practice management support services to hospitals.
Doug Oppenheim
Non Executive Director – Advisor of RwHealth
Doug is a Managing Partner of Fram Investment Partners. He moved into private equity in 2002 having previously worked at Dresdner Kleinwort Benson and Merrill Lynch. A significant proportion of Doug’s career has been focused on investing in and building businesses in healthcare. With interests spanning both the clinical and digital domains, Doug is passionate about the power of technology to transform both health outcomes and the affordability of care. He currently serves on the board of Healthcare at Home, which with 200,000 patients is the UK’s largest provider of complex clinical care in the home; he previously served on the board of Dedalus, one of Europe’s largest health software groups. Doug graduated from Cambridge University with first class honours. He has travelled extensively in the polar regions and has skied to the South Pole. He serves as Chairman of the British Exploring Society, a youth development charity established in 1932.
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About RwHealth: RwHealth is a provider of healthcare ML and AI driven patient flow, predictive analytics and insights platform in the UK, US and AUZ.
George Sutherland
Company Secretary & Non-Executive Director of TestCard Ltd
An experienced Company Director and a Fellow of the Institute of Directors who has demonstrated many years of success working with major fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) and Medical companies. Personally managed business with most of the major retailers and has many years of experience in dealing with the NHS and Medical markets. Experience in raising corporate finance, pre and post IPO.
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About : TestCard is the medical technology company behind the eponymous at-home test kit. A partnering mobile app delivers immediate results.
Dennis Engelke
Executive Director, Country Manager Switzerland & Austria of Jazz Pharmaceuticals
Dennis Engelke is the director of business analysis and insight at [Jazz Pharmaceuticals](https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/jazz-pharmaceuticals), an international biopharmaceutical company. Engelke holds an MBA from Uppsala University and an MBA from the University of Hamburg.
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About Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Jazz Pharmaceuticals is a specialty pharmaceutical company that identifies, develops and commercializes innovative treatments.
Rich Khatib
Co-founder and Executive Director of Huma Therapeutics
Drives company strategy, operations and finance. His career in EMEA & US, include CEO of a $1B impact investment foundation of the Oceanic Bank International. Previously he kick-started Mondus, a leading European electronic procurement firm, as vice president and 1st team member. In 2001 Mondus sold to Telecom Italia for a total deal of €400 million, delivering a 10X return on the original investment of VC firm 3i. He studied business in Germany and holds a DPhil majoring in economics from Oxford University.
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About Huma Therapeutics: Huma provides a digital health platform used for predictive care and research.
Andrew Gore
Non Executive Director of Genmed
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About Genmed: Genmed is a provider of vendor-neutral, flexible, scalable managed services to the NHS, Health Boards, and private healthcare organizations.
Nikunj Sondagar
Co-Founder & Non Executive Director of Brushlink
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About AUXO, Brushlink, Healthcare Angels Network, Medicalsupply, Tooth Wise, Wise360: Brushlink is a health and wellness company that specializes in the fields of oral care and dental insurance markets.
Robert Kilgour
Non Executive Director of Storii
Robert is a Scottish serial entrepreneur, investor and property developer who was the founder of Four Seasons Health Care in 1988. He left in 2000 (when Four Seasons had 101 care homes and 6,500 staff) and later made his final financial exit from the company in 2005. Four Seasons is now the UK’s largest care home operator with nearly 400 care homes, some 20,000 beds and employing around 30,000 staff. He is founder and chief executive of Dow Investments, now celebrating its 27th year, the founder and now chairman of Scottish care home operator, Renaissance Care (which operators 12 homes and employs around 800 staff), co-founder and director of video and security systems specialists, NW Systems Group, and founder shareholder and director of Kingdom FM Radio. Robert holds several other
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About : Software for Senior Care
Ben Thoy
Non-Executive Director of Whey Box
Ben Thoy is the Sales Manager at Trustpilot.
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About Trustpilot, Whey Box: Whey Box is a food and beverages company that specializes in providing protein powder.
Jeremy McKeown
Non-Executive Director of HealthUnlocked
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About HealthUnlocked: HealthUnlocked is a social network for health.
Ajan Reginald
Executive Director & Co-Founder of Cell Therapy
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About Celixir, Cell Therapy: Cell Therapy Ltd is a British pioneer in Regenerative Medicine.
Chris Jones
Non Executive Director & Special Advisor of MediSieve
Chris Jones joined Elasmogen as Executive Chairman in 2016.
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About Elasmogen, MediSieve, Mologic: MediSieve is a therapeutics company developing a platform technology for the treatment of blood-borne diseases.
Julie Walters
Founder & Executive Director of Xperiome
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About Xperiome: Xperiome is a global healthtech company that delivers deep insights in rare disease experiences
Ozgur Tuncer
CEO & Executive Director of Stablepharma Ltd
Ozgur Tuncer CEO & Executive Director – two decades of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry including working for blue chip companies such as Pfizer, IQVIA and Pharmacia. Most recently, he was Global Vice President in IQVIA, and strategic adviser to life sciences investors. In addition to his role in Stablepharma, Özgür is an Investment Partner with Ascension Ventures.
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About Stablepharma Ltd: An innovative Biotech, developing a wide range of reformulated thermostable and fridge free StablevaX vaccines
Maggie Porteous
Non Executive Director of Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
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About Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust: Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust includes a full variety of local primary healthcare services to people of Sheffield.
John Clarkson
Non Executive Director of Binx Health
John Clarkson has been in healthcare and diagnostics businesses for the past 15 years and has a background in molecular biology. He co-founded Molecular Sensing plc in 1999 where he was Commercial Director and then Technical Director. Following the successful development of their DNA analysis system, he joined the US-based diagnostics company Osmetech plc when they acquired Molecular in 2004. John led the formation of Atlas Genetics in 2005 as a joint spin-out from the University of Bath and Osmetech plc. Atlas is developing rapid tests for infectious diseases such as the sexually transmitted infections Chlamydia and gonorrhea, and hospital acquired infections. The company is VC backed and raised £18.5m in 2011 in a series B financing round led by Novartis Venture Funds.
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About Binx Health: Binx Health creates new categories of healthcare solutions that deliver on-demand testing to people where they need it most.
Mary Basterfield
Non Executive Director, Vice Chair, Senior Independent Director & Audit Chair of The Royal Free
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About The Royal Free: The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust runs three hospitals in London, England.
James Fleet
Executive Director & Consulting Partner of Four Eyes Insight
James is a clinical workforce efficiency specialist. James has significant experience in clinical workforce productivity and transformation within Health and works closely with Hospitals to secure sustainable efficiency improvements, optimum productivity and high levels of performance. James has previously worked within the NHS as an Executive Director and also led PwC’s health workforce consulting team, which involved him working with a large range of FT’s and Trust’s, as well as the Department of Health and NHS regulators – Monitor, NTDA and the CQC. James has led the delivery of major efficiency and productivity programmes, with huge success.
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About Four Eyes Insight: Four Eyes Insight is a medical productivity and clinical service consultancy, founded in 2013.
Brian Wells
Executive Director of Strategic Development of Four Eyes Insight
Brian trained as a Registered Nurse before specialising in theatres and anaesthetics, having a long clinical career before moving into management. Working for the Health Service inspectors, the Audit Commission and the Healthcare Commission, he led service improvement programmes across London healthcare organisations. Brian was most recently Director of Orthopaedics at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust where he provided senior leadership in the development and implementation of a new service delivery model for its elective orthopaedic services. His focus on medical workforce productivity, process standardisation and operational grip helped the clinical leadership deliver its high quality service in a sustainable way. Brian is a co-founder of Four Eyes Insight and has a BSc (Hons) degree in Health Studies and the Executive MBA.
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About Four Eyes Insight: Four Eyes Insight is a medical productivity and clinical service consultancy, founded in 2013.
Karl Equi
Creative, Digital Director, and Executive Director of PMLiVE
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About PMLiVE: PMLiVE is an online network offering its users with the opportunity to discuss with their colleagues on issues of pharmaceutical market.
Geri McMahon
Non-Executive Director of Mujo Mechanics
Geri McMahon Managing Director joined MUJO following eight years in investment banking to coordinate and drive the team to deliver the MUJO vision. Geri brings a focus on operational excellence, and a wealth of international business experience having worked with government institutions and corporates across EMEA, APAC and AMERICAS regions. Geri holds a combined Finance and Commerce degree with Chinese language from the University of Sydney and previously worked on the trading floors of both RBS and Bank of America Merrill Lynch in Sydney and London.
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About Mujo Mechanics: Mujo Mechanics provides smart devices and intelligent cloud platform for a data-driven approach to musculoskeletal health.
Simon Friend
Non Executive Director and Member of the Audit and Risk Committee of Guy’s and St Thomas’
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About Bevan Brittan, Guy’s and St Thomas’, Jewish Care: Guy’s and St Thomas’ is a health care provider that offers excellent treatment for cancer, renal, orthopaedic and cardiovascular services.
Zuleika Burnett
Executive Director, Creative and Innovation of Havas Life Medicom
Zuleika is Executive Creative Director at Havas Life Medicom; a unified communications agency who lead the way in creating transformative campaigns in the world of healthcare. She believes that thinking courageously will unleash the talent to create exceptional campaigns & build brands with the power to improve people’s lives. A champion of innovation, in 2006 Zuleika established Medibrand, now fully integrated into Havas Life. She continues to harness ideas, powerful connections and retain her entrepreneurial spirit. In her previous client side role as Design Manager for Eurostar she was involved in a product re-launch working with Philippe Starck. Building creative teams from the bottom up in very different environments, has given her unique experiences. In her spare time, she is also visiting lecturer to University for the Creative Arts; Business School. Zuleika was a juror at Cannes Lions, Health & Wellness in 2016, speaker 2017 & winner at the RBInnovation Hack.
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About Havas Life Medicom: Havas Life Medicom Integrating medical communications across the healthcare arena to provide comprehensive, innovative solutions.
George Hannides
Non-Executive Director of Calida Beauty
Founder and non-executive Director of UK aesthetics clinic Calida Beauty.
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About Calida Beauty: Beauty & Aesthetics Clinic
Alan Boyd
Non-Executive Director of Linear Diagnostics
Prof. Alan Boyd – Advisory Board – CEO Boyd Consultants, Past President of Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine, Former Head of Medical Research for Zeneca – track record of bringing medical developments to market.
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About Linear Diagnostics: Linear Diagnostics Limited is a diagnostics company based on a novel technology
Alistair Strachan
Non-Executive Director of Ryboquin
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About ILC Therapeutics: Ryboquin uses its expertise to turn under-developed intellectual property ideas into viable commercial realities.
Matt Prescott
Executive Director of Iken Associates
Matt is leading the development of a new sustainable innovation programme at Heathrow called the Centre of Excellence for Sustainability. It was announced as part of Heathrow’s sustainability plan – Heathrow 2.0 – of which Matt was one of the main authors. In his early career Matt focused on sustainable built environments, particularly in the housing and construction sectors. He also directed a climate change policy programme at a leading UK think tank. For the past decade, Matt has led the development of sustainability strategies in sectors as diverse as healthcare, education, transport and infrastructure. Matt is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and a Fellow of the Institute for Environmental Management and Assessment
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About Iken Associates: Iken Associates, Providing sustainability, health and environmental consultancy to the public, private and not-for-profit sectors.
Andrew Southan
Chief Executive and Executive Director of Metrion Biosciences
Andy has over 25 years’ experience in life science research, including 14 years in the CRO sector. In 1991 he received his PhD in Pharmacology from the University of London (UK), investigating the effects of anaesthetics and high pressure on CNS potassium channels. Following a move to industry Andy worked as a brain slice electrophysiologist supporting ion channel-based CNS programmes at Wyeth (UK), before moving to Imperial College London where he published the first patch-clamp recordings from cerebellar inhibitory nerve terminals. At CeNeS Pharmaceuticals he performed CRO services (hERG, nAChR) and internal research on HCN and two-pore channels. He subsequently established the electrophysiology laboratory for Ionix Pharmaceuticals, a company focused on identifying novel pain therapeutics, where he worked on Nav, Cav and mechanosenstive ion channels. Before joining Metrion Andy spent 12 years in leadership roles at BioFocus and Charles River managing stand-alone projects, multi-year collaborations and fully integrated drug discovery programmes.
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About Metrion Biosciences: Metrion Biosciences is a Contract Research Organization (CRO) that is located in the world renowned Cambridge biocluster.
Nick Hays
Executive Director of Global Career Networks Pte Ltd
A proven track record in international recruitment spanning over 20 years, developing, steering and improving key talent attraction and engagement solutions at a strategic level primarily in the healthcare sector. A broad spectrum of clients from small employers seeking a few, through to fully managing recruitment campaigns on behalf of both start-up and large government healthcare organisations to secure up to 2,000 staff. A strategic thinker with detailed knowledge of global medical workforce dynamics, with particular interest in migratory patterns driven by supply and demand, believing that there is no recruitment challenge that cannot be solved with the provision of the right solution. Driven to ensure successful outcomes by overcoming perceived barriers, establishing projects, building strong high performance teams, implementing action plans and building relationships with key stakeholders. Considered an expert in medical recruitment offering insight and sphere of influence on a global basis.
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About Global Career Networks Pte Ltd: Careers.Global operates a global professional networking and career portal primarily focused on the medical and healthcare professions.
