Meet The Team
Dr Ben Roberts
Interim Cluster Manager, West Midlands Health Technologies Cluster (WMHTC)
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WMHTC is a hybrid organisation, and we recommend emailing us in the first instance. By clicking the following button.
Interim Cluster Manager, West Midlands Health Technologies Cluster (WMHTC)
WMHTC is a hybrid organisation, and we recommend emailing us in the first instance. By clicking the following button.
Melanie Davidson is Chief Executive Officer of Medilink Midlands, the unified voice of the life sciences and medtech sector across the Midlands and East of England. She leads the organisation’s mission to help companies innovate, scale, and succeed by strengthening regional collaboration and driving industry, academic, and clinical connectivity.
Melanie also serves as Executive Lead for the West Midlands Health Technologies Cluster (WMHTC), where she plays a central role in shaping a joined-up regional strategy to accelerate healthtech innovation and boost the Midlands’ visibility on the national and global stage.
Over her fifteen years with Medilink Midlands, Melanie has progressed from Innovation Project Manager to COO and now CEO. She has been instrumental in bringing together Medilink West Midlands and Medilink East Midlands into a single organisation, and in guiding significant funding programmes that enhance the region’s innovation ecosystem.
With a background spanning industrial research, business and economic development, and international investment – gained through roles at emda, bioKneX, and West Pharmaceutical Services, Melanie brings deep sector insight and strategic focus to her leadership. She holds a BSc (Hons) in Animal Science from the University of Nottingham.
Ben joined Medilink Midlands in 2022 as an Innovation Adviser after completing his PhD in Biomedical Research at the University of Warwick. Now serving as Interim Cluster Manager, continuing his role in supporting health tech innovation in the West Midlands through the WMHTC, and previous to that the WMHTIA programme and delivering Medilink Midlands Innovation Builder (MMIB). Ben plays a key role in assessing the technical, clinical, and scientific risks of diagnostic and medtech companies, helping innovators strengthen their clinical adoption, investment readiness and fundraising potential. As Academic Patron Lead, he champions initiatives that foster spin-outs, translational research, and student engagement across the region. A passionate advocate for sustainability, Ben also supports SMEs on their journey towards Net Zero. He is a driving force within the Innovation team – bringing fresh thinking, collaborative energy, and a deep commitment to impactful work that advances the region’s health and life sciences ecosystem.
The Medilink Midlands Awards are now open, celebrating outstanding innovation across the region’s medtech and life sciences sector.
With 10 categories to enter, now’s the time to showcase your achievements.
Extended Deadline Date: 16th January
Start your application today.