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 Director operating in the Health Diagnostics space. If you think a 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.
Chris Bonnett
Projects Director of GE Healthcare
Chris Bonnett is a project director at GE Healthcare.
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About GE Healthcare: GE Healthcare provides transformational medical technologies and services that are shaping a new age of patient care.
Clive G. Brown
Directorships of Oxford Nanopore Technologies
Clive is Chief Technology Officer at Oxford Nanopore. On the Executive team, he is responsible for all of the Company’s product development activities. Clive leads the specification and design of the Company’s nanopore based sensing platform, including strand DNA/RNA sequencing and protein sensing applications with a strong focus on scientific excellence and successful adoption by the scientific community. Clive joined Oxford Nanopore from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute (Cambridge, UK) where he played a key role in the adoption and exploitation of ‘next generation’ DNA sequencing platforms. This involved helping to set up the world’s largest single installation of Illumina (formerly Solexa) Genome Analyzers in a production sequencing environment, initially used to pioneer the 1000 genomes project. From early 2003 he was Director of Computational Biology & IT at Solexa Ltd, where he was central to the development and commercialisation of the Genome Analyzer (GA). Solexa was sold to Illumina for $650M in early 2007 after the successful placement and adoption of 12 instruments. The Solexa technology, now commercialised by Illumina, is the market leading DNA sequencing technology driving the renaissance in DNA based discovery. He has a strong background in computer science and genetics/molecular biology and manages interdisciplinary teams including mechanical engineering, electronics, physics, surface chemistry, electrophysiology, software engineering and applications (of the technology). Clive applies modern agile management techniques to the entire product development lifecycle. Clive has also held various management and consulting positions at GlaxoWellcome, Oxford Glycosciences and other EU- and US-based organisations. He has worked at the interface between computing and science, ranging from genetics to proteomics. He holds degrees in Genetics and Computational Biology from the University of York.
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About Oxford Nanopore Technologies, Solexa: Oxford Nanopore Technologies develops nanopore-based electronic systems for analyzing single molecules, including DNA, RNA, and proteins.
Victoria Stewart
Director Of Communications of Abingworth
Victoria has more than 18 years experience in the life sciences sector. She manages and advises on Abingworth’s public relations strategy in Europe and the US and provides support to portfolio companies. Victoria joined Abingworth in 2000 from PJB Publications, where she was Biotechnology Editor of Scrip World Pharmaceutical News. Victoria has held editorial positions at Chemistry in Britain and the Financial Times, where she covered Pharmaceutical Business News, Biotechnology Business and Medical Device Business News. She has a degree in Biological Chemistry from the University of Kent at Canterbury.
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About Abingworth: Abingworth is an international investment group dedicated to collaborating with life sciences entrepreneurs.
Elena Fernandez Kleinlein
Sr. Director Consumer Scientific Innovation of Johnson & Johnson
Elena is the Senior Director of Consumer Scientific Innovation at Johnson & Johnson Innovation. Her main responsibilities are scouting and evaluating early stage technologies and opportunities and managing external partnerships for the strategic areas within the Consumer Sector. Prior to this role, Elena was the Senior Director of R&D Global Topical Health Care for Johnson & Johnson Consumer & Personal Products. In this position, she was responsible for seeking innovative products and claims pipelines within the franchise and oversaw the product development program for iconic brands such as Band-Aid Adhesive Bandages, Johnson & Johnson’s Red Cross and other regional brands like Compeed, Neosporin and Bengay. Elena has grown in the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies, previously holding roles of Senior Director R&D EMEA Topical Health, performing as the Worldwide Director Women’s Health R&D, and Manager Baby & Kids R&D EMEA for Johnson & Johnson in Germany. These positions have provided her an in-depth knowledge in Research & Development across different groups as well as launch & commercialization experience of different product categories. She has filed several patents. Elena holds a BS and MS in Food Science & Technology from Technical University Munich, Germany.
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About Johnson & Johnson: Johnson & Johnson engages in the research and development, manufacture and sale of a range of products in the healthcare field.
Rafael López Schietekat
Founder & Managing Director of Diagnostikare
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About Diagnostikare: The first data-driven patient-centric virtual primary care platform in Mexico.
Fredrik Cornell
Director Commercial Operations of Healthily by Your.MD
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About Healthily by Your.MD: Healthily is the world’s first medically approved self-care app designed around you.
Andrew Shepherd
Co-Founder & Managing Director of Omega Diagnostics
Andrew Shepherd is the Founder and Managing Director of Omega Diagnostics Limited. He is responsible for corporate strategy, general management, sales and marketing and technical direction. He has been involved in the medical diagnostics industry for the last 35 years. He started his career in 1974 by holding technical positions at G.D. Searle Limited and then attended university, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. He then moved into a sales and marketing position at Cambridge Life Sciences plc in 1981, before establishing his first diagnostics company, Cambridge Biomedical Limited in 1982. In 1986 he moved to Scotland to join Bioscot Limited and shortly afterwards, established Omega. Shepherd used his technical experience and knowledge of exporting to oversee the growth of the export of Omega products to exceed £2 million per annum. Omega now exports to over 100 countries around the world, and he travels regularly to many of the countries in which Omega customers are based. Shepherd is an active member of a number of relevant trade associations and was a member of the Scottish Exports Forum, a body which reported to the Scottish Parliament to oversee and guide the export activity of Scottish Development International. Mr Shepherd was also a member of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s (BMGF) Global Health Diagnostics Forum, which provides direct guidance to BMGF in advising on future investments in worldwide diagnostics programmes for developing countries.
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About Global DX Ltd, Omega Diagnostics: Omega Diagnostics provides IVD products for use in hospitals, blood banks, clinics, and laboratories.
Andrew Barker
Co-Founder & Director of Intelligent Ultrasound
Andrew Barker is the Chairman at Oxford Brain Diagnostics .
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About Anchard Associates, Brainomix, Intelligent Ultrasound, Oxford Brain Diagnostics: Intelligent Ultrasound develops software that improves the quality, reliability, and diagnostic power of medical ultrasound.
David Jackson
Agency Commercial Director of United Drug plc
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About United Drug plc: United Drug plc ensures the right products are delivered to the right people at the right time, at the right price.
Peter Lemon
Purchasing Director, United Drug Sangers of United Drug plc
Peter was educated at Annadale Grammar School and when he left school at the age of 18, started working in the Pharmaceutical Sector in the UK as a Trainee Buyer. Most of Peter’s working life has been in the Pharmaceutical Distribution sector with over 40 years’ experience. Peter commenced employment with Sangers in 1993 as a Purchasing Manager and was appointed to the position of Purchasing Director in 1998. Peter is a member of Belvoir Park Golf Club and enjoys playing golf there on a regular basis. His other hobbies and interests include Hockey, Reading and Travel.
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About United Drug plc: United Drug plc ensures the right products are delivered to the right people at the right time, at the right price.
Edwin Bleakley
Operations Director, Sangers of United Drug plc
Edwin was educated at Methodist College in Belfast. He was employed by the Northern Bank, Munster Simms and then AAH Pharmaceuticals as General Manager for 14 years before joining Sangers in 2000. Edwin has a keen interest in music and has been a church organist for many years, now playing in the church on the oldest Christian site in Ireland where St. Patrick started his mission, at Saul near Downpatrick. He has rescued and restored a 1954 Triumph TR2 sports car which he still enjoys driving. Edwin has a large garden which requires significant time commitment. Edwin has three grown up children, two living in Northern Ireland and one in Australia, and five grand-children.
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About United Drug plc: United Drug plc ensures the right products are delivered to the right people at the right time, at the right price.
Keith Grimes
Clinical Innovation Director of Babylon
Keith Grimes is the clinical innovation director at Babylon Health.
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About Babylon, Babylon: Babylon is a world leading, digital-first, value-based care company.
Lana Ghanem
Founder & Managing Director of Hikma Ventures
Lana is managing director at Hikma Ventures which she helped establish in 2015. Lana started her career at Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC in 2012 as the Assistant to the CEO and Director of Corporate Strategy & Development where she worked on strategic projects across the company’s various functions including strategy, M&A, operations and finance. Prior to joining Hikma, Lana worked as a Financial Analyst in the Mergers and Acquisitions department at Dresdner Kleinwort Investment Bank in London where she worked on transactions for clients across multiple industries. Lana holds an MBA from Harvard Business School (HBS) and a Bachelors of Commerce degree from McGill University.
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About Hikma Ventures: Hikma Ventures operates as the corporate venture capital arm of Hikma Pharmaceuticals.
Katherine Ward
Chief Commercial Officer, Managing Director UK & Europe of Healthy.io
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About Healthy.io: Healthy.io converts smartphone cameras into a clinical grade medical device.
Mathieu de Beaumont
Co-Founder / Director of Dementech
Co-Founder of Dementech Neurosciences
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About : Neurology & Psychology experts
Michel Rabhi
Founder and Director of Dementech
Owner and Director at Dementech Neurosciences
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About : Neurology & Psychology experts
Peter Maskell
Managing Director of Koninklijke Philips
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About Koninklijke Philips: Koninklijke Philips is a technology company that provides healthcare, consumer lifestyle, and lighting products, solutions, and services.
Hayden Vivash
Financial Director of Koninklijke Philips
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About Koninklijke Philips: Koninklijke Philips is a technology company that provides healthcare, consumer lifestyle, and lighting products, solutions, and services.
Martin Armstrong
Legal Director/Company Secretary of Koninklijke Philips
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About Koninklijke Philips: Koninklijke Philips is a technology company that provides healthcare, consumer lifestyle, and lighting products, solutions, and services.
Soren Krogsgaard Thomsen
Co-Founder, CEO and Managing Director of BioMe Oxford
Soren is a medical scientist at the University of Oxford, with a background in the natural sciences and genetics research. He previously worked as a consultant for pharma and OBR consulting, and has published on his experiences as an academic entrepreneur. Soren’s current research is focused on translating large-scale genetic data into mechanisms for disease to inform new therapeutic strategies. He dreams of one day enabling similar population-wide microbiome studies using the platform technology under development at BioMe Oxford Ltd.
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About BioMe Oxford, Vertex Pharmaceuticals: Unlocking your gut microbiome by developing a medical device for targeted and non-invasive sampling
Shankar Balasubramian
Co-Founder and Director of Cambridge Epigenetix
Sir Shankar is Founder of two companies and the principal inventor of the leading next generation human genome sequencing technology core to all Illumina sequencing platforms, estimated to be worth >$30BN. Sir Shankar’s technology has made routine, accurate, low-cost sequencing of human genomes a reality, has revolutionised biology and accelerated the development of genomic personalised medicine. Sir Shankar is the Herchel Smith Professor of Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Cambridge and Senior Group Leader at the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute. His awards include the Royal Medal (2018), the RoyalSociety Mullard Award (2009), The BBSRC Innovator of the year (2010) and the Tetrahedron Prize (2013). He is a Fellow of the Royal Society, the Academy of Medical Sciences and a member of EMBO.
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About Ahren Innovation Capital, Cambridge Epigenetix: Cambridge Epigenetix is using epigenetics to reduce several routine & important diagnostic tests for common cancers to a simple blood draw.
Martin Murphy
Associate Director of Cambridge Epigenetix
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About Cambridge Epigenetix: Cambridge Epigenetix is using epigenetics to reduce several routine & important diagnostic tests for common cancers to a simple blood draw.
Himanshu Kataria
Founder, CEO and Managing Director of CLYZ Labs
Himanshu is an experienced NHS Academic Clinician with emergency medicine background (>10 years clinical experience). Himanshu has substantial experience in setup and delivery of clinical research trials, as a specialty lead within Clinical Research Network for the whole of North West Coast of England delivering research in >23 NHS Partner organisations. Himanshu is an MBBS, MBBS, MRCSed (A&E), MRCEM, FRCEM, ALS Instructor. With a number of years in both clinical and research experience, Himanshu has held various consultancy posts in notable hospitals/medical facilities such as Whiston Hospital in Merseyside. He also held the Special Group Lead position within the Clinical Research Network – North West Coast: Research Delivery arm of the NIHR (National Institute of Health Research). In addition to his qualifications as a Medical Doctor, Himanshu has held a number of entrepreneurial roles over the past few years in bio-medical companies such as Indu Stem Cell Technology Plc, and Transgenex Inc in the USA. Dr Kataria is familiar with financial management of the business owing to his experience in Clinical Finance Limited which advised for fundraising for Indu Stem Cell Technology PLC. He continues to serve as a director for Indu Stem Cell Technology PLC.
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About CLYZ Labs: CLYZ Labs are developing a testing service to select the best drug therapy for personalised cancer treatment.
Richard Wardle
Founder and Director of Vantix Diagnostics
Richard Wardle is the Founder of vantix® DIAGNOSTICS. Starting back in 1996 Richard led a team that identified and evaluated innovations from Russia. After identifying the biosensor opportunity he built a team around it to initiate the development process. Richard has been the driving force behind vantix® DIAGNOSTICS from its inception to the present time. Richard has been the Managing Director of a number of technology companies initially specializing in Eastern European technologies. Earlier in his career Richard was the Managing Director of a Construction/Engineering company specializing in contract construction of service stations on behalf of Shell U.K., major sports complexes and large scale residential developments while providing employment for up to 200 people. Prior to that he was the Managing Director of Aqua-Salve a dredging company specializing in ship recovery.
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About Vantix Diagnostics: Vantix Diagnostics, Inc. operates Vantix, a biosensor platform for use in medical, veterinary, and environmental sectors. Its Vantix
Susan Searle
Non-Executive Director of Horizon Discovery
Susan Searle is Chief Executive Officer of Imperial Innovations Group plc, an AIM listed company founded by Imperial College. Imperial Innovations is an integrated business combining the activities of technology transfer, incubation and investment across healthcare, engineering, environment and IT sectors. Susan has been instrumental in growing the business since joining the Ltd company in 1994. Previously she worked at Montech (Australia), Signet Group plc, Bank of Nova Scotia and Shell Chemicals Limited in the UK and internationally in a variety of business development and commercial roles. She has served on the boards of 15 spin-out companies including TurboGenset Inc. and sits on the boards of Thiakis Limited, EVO Electric Limited and i2india Holdings Limited. She has an MA in Chemistry from Exeter College, Oxford University.
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About : Horizon is a gene editing company that designs & engineers genetically-modified cells, applying them to advance human health.
Anya Roy
Managing Director of Syrona Health
Anya Roy is the co-founder of Syrona Health.
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About Syrona Health: Syrona Health is a personalised digital health platform for Chronic Gynaecological/Uterine Conditions like Endometriosis, PCOS etc.
Chantelle Bell
Managing Director of Syrona Health
Chantelle Bell is the Managing Director and co-founder of Syrona Health.
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About Syrona Health: Syrona Health is a personalised digital health platform for Chronic Gynaecological/Uterine Conditions like Endometriosis, PCOS etc.
Giovanna Forte
Founding Director & CEO of Forte Medical
Giovanna is credited within bringing her GP brother’s invention to life. She invested personally in his idea, to explore design and material R&D, secure IP rights and ultimately attract investment from the GLA Early Growth Fund in 2006. As CEO she realised the successful launch of Peezy Midstream, established credible clinical evidence, developed PR, marketing, sales campaigns and has overseen the ongoing investment needs of the business. Specimen collection is arguably the most basic procedure required for analysis, diagnosis and treatment of myriad conditions; Giovanna’s desire to improve these often messy processes drove engagement with clinicians, microbiologists and patients. Her inquiry and love of good design has led to development of The Specimen Collection.
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About Forte Medical: Forte Medical is a diagnostic center in London, England.
Alex Sweeney
Managing Director of Xyla Diagnostics
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About Xyla Diagnostics: Xyla Diagnostics specializes in providing diagnostic imaging services.
Irina Soltamova Solovyev
Director of Cambridge Oncometrix
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About Cambridge Oncometrix: Cambridge Oncometrix aims to save lives by enabling the early detection of prostate cancer.
Maxim Rossmann
Managing Director of Cambridge Oncometrix
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About Cambridge Oncometrix, University of Cambridge: Cambridge Oncometrix aims to save lives by enabling the early detection of prostate cancer.
David Bunka
Director & CTO of Aptamer Group
Dave holds a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from the University of Leeds and is a Geneticist by training. He spent 12 years developing high throughput automated aptamer selection methods at the University of Leeds. David has built up a solid international reputation in the field. Since 2003 David has isolated ~200 aptamers against a wide variety of targets including: small molecule antibiotics, food contaminants, disease associated proteins, several cancer associated cell-lines, viruses and patient tissue samples. Since joining the group officially in 2012 David had developed over 50 aptamers to various targets and has development several patentable process variations. David has authored several aptamer papers in peer reviewed journals, including 2 invited review articles and a book chapter in 2012 for the Royal Society of Chemistry entitled “therapeutic uses of nucleic acid aptamer conjugates”.
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About Aptamer Group: Aptamer Group develop DNA and RNA nucleic acid aptamers for use in R&D, biomarker discovery, diagnostics or therapeutic developments.
Miles Houslay
Chief Scientific Officer and Director of Mironid
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About King’s College London, Mironid, University of Glasgow: Mironid is a drug discovery company focused on therapeutics for degenerative kidney diseases, chronic inflammatory diseases, and cancer.
Dr Smita Mehra
Managing Director of The Neem Tree Dental Group
Founder and Principal Dentist
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About : Dental practices and aesthetics clinics
Angela Dillon
Director of Finance of Vanguard Healthcare Solutions
Angela joined Vanguard in 2010 as Commercial Accountant. Following a three year tenure as Financial Controller, she was appointed to the executive team in 2017 as Finance Director. Angela’s career started with Robson Taylor. She began her training as an auditor, developing a thorough knowledge of financial compliance. Following this, she advanced to a senior role with Berkeley Hamilton and then to Financial Controller for The Little Entertainment Group. This seven year appointment saw her support many new business ventures, producing financial models to support business strategy and growth. Her comprehensive understanding of the modern healthcare market, established during her years of service at Vanguard, combined with a natural flair for business development gives Angela a crucial ability to oversee profitable endeavours and implement key processes that support the realisation of planning into profit. Angela’s primary focus is now on helping to grow Vanguard’s business value as quickly and effectively as possible, whilst maintaining the highest standards of corporate governance and compliance.
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About Vanguard Healthcare Solutions: Vanguard Healthcare Solutions operates a fleet of mobile healthcare facilities that support National Health Service & healthcare providers.
Tayo Akiwumi
Global Market Entry & Growth Director of Miznee
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About Miznee, SpaceVee: “Every smartphone a medical imaging device. Every smartphone a health triage and therapy tool. Every x-ray image a soft tissue image“.
Catherine Beech
Board of Directors of Exonate
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About : Exonate is a biotech company spun out of the University of Nottingham that is focused on alternative splicing of (VEGF) in ophthalmology.
Charles Hindson
Non Executive Director of Diaceutics
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About Diaceutics: Diaceutics Group leverages analytics, software, services and consulting.
Dr Ali Shakir
Director of Harley Street Health Centre Group
Therapist & Director of the Harley Street Medical Group.
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About : Provision of emergency and general medical care in London, UK.
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
Cath Booth
Founder and Director, Research Services of Epistem
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About Epistem, Epistem: Epistem’s specialist contract research services provide valuable support to drug discovery and development pipelines.
Paul Bailey
Non-Executive Director of Bailey Fisher Executive Search
Paul co-founded Bailey Fisher Executive Search in 1998 and led the growth of the business as Managing Director for 20 years during which time he built the board and management teams for some of the most innovative companies to have emerged from the European technology market. After a successful exit in July 2018, he took on the role of Executive Chairman. Paul was named in the 2016 Maserati 100 and was recognised as one of the most influential business people in Cambridge in 2017. He has held advisory roles with NESTA Impact Investments and New Wave Ventures. Paul joined Martlet Capital in 2019. He is also currently Entrepreneur in Residence at Cambridge Enterprise.
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About : Bailey Fisher is an independent executive search firm finding & attracting individuals who have a fundamental impact on business growth.
Sheraz Daya
Founder, Chairman & Medical Director of Centre for Sight
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About Centre for Sight: Centre for Sight provides eye care services, from basic diagnostic and therapeutic services to complex operative procedures.
