Medilink Midlands Innovation Day

Overview

Main stage

Workshops

Meet the Sponsors

Exhibitors

Speaker profiles

2025 gallery

Overview

Main stage

Time	Agenda item	Speaker
09:15	Registration – Exhibition & Networkingg.
10:00	Welcome	Melanie Davidson, CEO – Medilink Midlands
10:10	Address from Medilink Midlands Chair	Professor Martin Levermore MBE DL, Medilink Midlands Chair
10:20	Medilink Midlands Update	Melanie Davidson
10:40	Sponsor Introductions	Adamson Jones Creative Networks Penningtons Manches Cooper
10:45	Future Talent Laboratory Launch including Q&A session	Melanie Davidson Dr Ben Roberts, Innovation Adviser
11:00	Break – Exhibition & Networking
11:30	Innovation	Chaired by Dr Mark Eccleston, CEO – ValiRx Plc
	This session is designed to showcase cutting-edge developments from leading companies in a dynamic, fast-paced format. The audience will hear pitching slots from a number of businesses showcasing their innovation.	James Carpenter – SurePulse Medical Saran Muthia – EnrichmyCare Dr Dave Seaward – 3P Innovation Rebecca Bignold – Fibraxis
12:30	International	Chaired by Andrea Dawson, CFOO, Medilink Midlands
	Join this session to learn the latest in terms of international activities, hear from some of Medilink Midlands overseas partners and what support is currently available to support our members and the sector with exporting and doing business globally.	Min Rose – Ningbo Campus, University of Nottingham Kevin Malecek – City of Mentor, Ohio, USA Lucy Granger – East Midlands Chamber David Woakes – Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Dace Dimza-Jones – Department for Business & Trade
13:00	Lunch – Exhibition & Networking
13:30	Case Study: Co-Innovation with the NHS – What Actually Works?	Chaired by Dr Ben Roberts, Innovation Advisor – Medilink Midlands
	-Successful co-creation models with NHS Trusts. -Lessons learned from failed innovations. -How to engage early with clinicians and trusts for need-led innovation.	Matthew Bacon – TCC-CASEMIX Sunny Deo – Great Western Hospital Joshua Dale – WM Health & Wellbeing Innovation Network
14:00	The Future of Healthcare is Personal: AI, Data & Precision Medicine	Chaired by Dr Ewa Truchanowicz, Founder, CEO, Advisor, NED, Investor, Deep Tech Mentor
	-Real-world examples of AI and data-driven tools improving diagnostics and patient outcomes -Opportunities for innovation in personalised medicine and remote monitoring -Ethical and data governance challenges	Professor Gino Martini – PHTA David Hawkins, Sotas Maryam Hasanova – Oncoflow
14:40	Medilink Midlands Innovation Builder	Chaired by Dr Ben Roberts
		Christian Kumar – Medtech Makers Lab Ellie Mallett White – Sequel Consultants Ltd
15:00	Investment: New Ways To Source & Access Funding	Chaired by Christian Kumar, MedTech Makers Lab & Medilink Midlands Entrepreneur in Residence
		Richard Fallon – Technology Supply Chain Esther Lawrence – TBAT Innovation Andy Green – Frontier Development Capital Gareth Evans – BRCS Loans Dr Ian Newington – NIHR Healthtech Research Centre for Brain Injury
16:00	Closing Remarks & Drinks Reception
17:00	Event concludes

Workshops

Meet the Sponsors


		Adamson Jones is passionate about supporting innovation in the UK’s life sciences and medtech community. We help clients of all sizes obtain effective patent, design, and trade mark protection covering the full range of products and technology in these fields including medical equipment, software, imaging, surgical instruments, drug delivery devices, wound care, diagnostics and sensors, drug formulations, therapeutics, new medical uses and vaccines. We ensure that specialist IP work is handled with the wider commercial aims of our clients, whether that relates to exit, licensing, generating investment or other commercial opportunities.
		Creative Networks is a trusted UK-based provider of comprehensive IT solutions, dedicated to empowering businesses through innovation, security, and reliable technology support. Specialising for over 20+ years in managed IT services, cybersecurity, cloud solutions, telecoms, and infrastructure, Creative Networks helps organisations streamline, safeguard data, and scale operations. With a client-first approach and certified expertise, we deliver tailored solutions that align with your business goals. Whether you’re a growing SME or an established enterprise, our proactive support and strategic guidance ensure maximum uptime and productivity. Partner with Creative Networks for smarter technology and dependable service that drives long-term success.
		Penningtons Manches Cooper is a leading UK and international law firm which provides high quality legal advice tailored to both businesses and individuals. Our award winning life sciences practice provides comprehensive, business oriented advice, bringing extensive legal, scientific and industry specific insights to its medical device, pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients. Our team acts for small and medium sized clients, larger plcs and multi-national enterprises. In addition, we work closely with research organisations to enable the effective adoption and transfer of technology and its further development. We also represent a number of venture capital funds. We provide the full range of legal, commercial and regulatory advice to clients and understand that the life sciences field is fast-moving and competitive. Effective legal support is essential at all stages of any life science business and we offer a service which is imaginative as well as realistic.

Exhibitors

Company Name	Company Info	Website
Adamson Jones, part of Gateley	A longstanding Patron of Medilink Midlands, Adamson Jones have a proud history of helping UK businesses in medical technology and life sciences harness the value of their intellectual property.	adamson-jones.co.uk
ALM Translations Ltd	ALM Translations delivers ISO-certified, tech-driven language solutions for MedTech. From regulatory documentation to multilingual marketing, we ensure accuracy, compliance, and global reach, empowering innovation in international healthcare markets.	almtranslations.com
Amies Technical Plastics	Amies Technical Plastics are specialist medical (cleanroom)/technical injection moulder based in Chesterfield. Providing expert support to a variety of medical clients from earliest prototype to full validation and production.	amiestechnicalplastics.co.uk
Bluefrog Design Ltd	Bluefrog Design is a multi disciplinary product design and innovation consultancy converting concepts and ideas into successful products for the Bio-science and healthcare markets.	bluefrogdesign.co.uk
Blüm Health	Award-winning Digital and Data Product delivery, Regulatory Compliance and Impact Strategists.	blumhealth.co.uk
BSI Medical Devices	BSI Medical Devices offers certification services to place safe and compliant medical devices on the market. We’re a leading full scope Notified Body (2797) and UK Approved Body (0086).	bsigroup.com
Creative Networks	Creative Networks is a trusted UK-based provider of comprehensive IT solutions, dedicated to empowering businesses through innovation, security, and reliable technology support.	creative-n.com
Edwards Chartered Accountants	Widely recognised and respected throughout the Midlands, Edwards are an independent accountancy practice with many years specialist professional experience acting for a wide variety of science and technology companies.	edwardsaccountants.co.uk
EnrichMyCare	EnrichMyCare is an award-winning digital health platform that enables families and clinicians to share information, coordinate care, and support decision-making in children and young people’s care pathways including neurodevelopmental, neurodisability, and rare disease pathways.	enrichmycare.com
Forresters	Forresters is a leading intellectual property (IP) firm that works with businesses to protect their key product offerings by securing IP protection for them.	forresters-ip.com
Fortec UK Ltd	Technology specialists solving complex challenges with displays, embedded computing, monitors, components and power. Guiding customers beyond initial specs to smarter, sustainable solutions – embracing complexity is what sets us apart.	fortec.uk
Arthur J. Gallagher Insurance Brokers Ltd	In the fast-changing life sciences and med tech sectors, we provide global yet local insurance, risk management, and consulting solutions to help mitigate risks and protect your business effectively.	ajg.com/uk/life-sciences/life-sciences-insurance
Haughton Design	Haughton Design specialises in all aspects of design and development of medical devices, IVD’s and drug delivery solutions – from concept to commercial release – including regulatory support, human factors and design for manufacture.	haughtondesign.co.uk
Health Innovation East Midlands	Health Innovation East Midlands plays a unique role in supporting innovators and healthcare organisations to find, test and implement better and safer ways of delivering health and care services for patients at scale.	healthinnovation-em.org.uk
IMed Consultancy	A highly knowledgeable medical devices regulatory consultancy with key experience in Regulatory Affairs and QA in medical devices, including Class III, active & implantables, SaMD, and IVDs.	imedconsultancy.com
Jaltek	Jaltek are a medically approved electronic design and manufacturing services provider based in Luton, UK. They support various industries with PCBA and Box-Builds ranging from prototyping to volume production.	jaltek.com
LimestoneGrey	LimestoneGrey is a specialist R&D tax credit consultancy, working closely with life sciences, med-tech and biotech companies across the UK, building strong relationships and providing a personal, tailored approach to navigating R&D tax relief.	limestonegrey.com
Kimal	Kimal are an innovative and trusted manufacturer and supplier of specialised procedure packs and vascular access devices to hospitals across the world.	kimal.com
Medilink Midlands	Medilink Midlands helps companies in the life sciences industry establish, develop and grow; through our business support, connectivity and collaboration.
Med-Tech Expo	Med-Tech Expo, held 3–4 June 2026, is the UK’s leading event for medical technology, featuring cutting-edge innovation, networking opportunities, and key insights for professionals across the healthcare and med-tech sectors.	med-techexpo.com
Med-Tech Insights	Stay ahead in the world of medical technology with MedTech Insights – your go-to source for the latest news, expert analysis, and industry trends.	med-techinsights.com
NIHR HealthTech Research Centre in Devices, Digital and Robotics	Translating new healthcare technologies safely and efficiently into health and care.	hrc-devices.nihr.ac.uk
OncoFlow	OncoFlow, an AI-powered cancer intelligence platform transforming unstructured clinical data into actionable insights for cancer multidisciplinary teams. Currently being tested, piloted and deployed across Europe and Asia to streamline decision-making in breast cancer and beyond. The company was one of only four selected for the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s (MHRA’s) pioneering AI Airlock programme, where it worked with UK regulators to define safe and effective deployment pathways for medical AI tools.	oncoflow.ai
OxDevice	A medical device design, development and manufacturing company.	oxdevice.com
Pd-m	An innovative design consultancy, specialising in strategic transformations and sustainability, driven by their vision ‘We take you further.’	pd-m.com
Penningtons Manches Cooper	A leading UK and international law firm providing high quality legal advice and expertise, tailored to innovative life sciences businesses.	penningtonslaw.com
Renfrew Group International	Multi award winning design and manufacturing team based in Leicester. ISO13495/9001. 30 years leading in Medtech innovation.	renfrewgroup.com
TBAT Innovation	TBAT is an independent consultancy with 20+ years’ experience helping UK Life Sciences and MedTech organisations secure R&D Tax Credits, grant funding, Patent Box, and tailored innovation support to accelerate growth.	tbat.co.uk
West Midlands Health Tech Innovation Accelerator (WMHTIA)	The West Midlands Health Tech Innovation Accelerator (WMHTIA) provides companies access to services and expertise that are pivotal in critically developing technologies and driving them towards market access.	wmhtia.com

Speaker profiles


	Alison Wildt, Innovation Lead, National rehabilitation Centre (NRC)	Alison is a physiotherapist specialising in neurological rehabilitation and has been involved in many aspects of the National Rehabilitation Centre project. She led the development of the innovative Rehabilitation Assistant Practitioner Apprenticeship – a key role designed to introduce more people to rewarding careers in rehabilitation. To support her work, Alison recently completed a Master’s in Healthcare Leadership, further strengthening her ability to lead and influence in the field.
	Andy Green, Deputy Fund Principal at Frontier Development Captial	Andy has extensive experience working with SME clients with turnover in region of £2m-£25m across many sectors. He has 24 years’ experience working at NatWest in corporate and commercial banking roles ultimately as Relationship Director. Andy primarily works across the West Midlands region, heading up the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II – Debt Finance for West Midlands fund, although he has worked on manufacturing funds with a national reach.
	Aqeel Mahmood, Account Manager at Creative Networks	Creative Networks is a trusted UK-based provider of comprehensive IT solutions, dedicated to empowering businesses through innovation, security, and reliable technology support. Specialising for over 20+ years in managed IT services, cybersecurity, cloud solutions, telecoms, and infrastructure, Creative Networks helps organisations streamline, safeguard data, and scale operations. With a client-first approach and certified expertise, we deliver tailored solutions that align with your business goals. Whether you’re a growing SME or an established enterprise, our proactive support and strategic guidance ensure maximum uptime and productivity. Partner with Creative Networks for smarter technology and dependable service that drives long-term success.
	Christian Kumar, CEO at MedTwch Makers Lab & Medilink Midlands Entrepreneur in Residence	Christian, a seasoned professional, transitioned from a successful career in investment banking to become a trailblazing innovator and lecturer. In 2019, he established the MedTech Makers Lab, pioneering pathways for global medical technology innovations to thrive in the Midlands. Christian imparts his expertise as an innovation management instructor at six universities spanning five countries and facilitates acceleration labs throughout the EU. His teachings cover strategic roadmapping and funding strategies, empowering companies to navigate the dynamic landscape of innovation. With a passion for transforming ideas into reality, Christian continues to shape the future of MedTech and innovation worldwide.
	Dace Dimza-Jones, Department for Business & Trade	Dace is a National Life Sciences Specialist within the UK Government’s Global Entrepreneur Programme. In this role, she supports internationally mobile tech entrepreneurs and their IP-rich businesses to scale and grow from a UK-based global headquarters. Dace plays a pivotal role in attracting and increasing investment in the UK’s Life Sciences sector, helping to advance the country’s strategic ambitions in this field. She works closely with businesses, providing tailored support and guidance on establishing or expanding their UK presence. Her work includes enabling regional partnerships, connecting investors with live opportunities and industry contacts, and identifying optimal investment locations. Dace’s expertise spans over 30 therapeutic areas across primary, secondary, and social care settings. She supports a wide range of innovators and enterprises in pharmaceuticals, MedTech, digital health, and biotechnology.
	Professor Dan Clark, OBE, Head of Clinical Engineering at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust	Professor Dan Clark, OBE, is a leading figure in healthcare technology innovation, with over 35 years of experience. He is the Co-director of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Healthcare research Centre in rehabilitation (HRC), where he oversees research and innovation aimed at transforming rehabilitation through advanced technologies and system redesign. Recognised with an OBE in 2021 for his contributions to the NHS during the COVID-19 pandemic, he also holds honorary professorships and serves as Vice President (International) of the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine.
	Dr Dave Seaward, Founding Director at 3P Innovation	3P innovation develops new processes and high-quality automation systems for clinical and commercial manufacture of drug delivery devices. 3P is active in automation associated with inhalers, injector pens, modified release and aseptic filling. Dave is a chartered engineer with a first degree in electrical and mechanical engineering and a control theory PhD. His 40 plus year career is associated with the development of custom automation for a variety of industries, including the pharmaceutical and medical device sectors. Many of his projects have included advanced powder or liquid dispensing. He developed the way the pyramid teabag is filled with tea and is a named inventor on Unilever’s associated patent; as a result, he is mentioned in the UK Patent Office book “Inventing the 20th Century”. Dave is named inventor on over 20 other patents.
	David Hawkins, CTO & Co-Founder at Sotas	A specialist consultancy delivering regulatory and compliance solutions to HealthTech and MedTech industries. With over 20 years of industry, David brings deep technical and regulatory insight, having worked engineering, quality, compliance, and regulatory affairs. He is a trusted expert in navigating regulatory pathways, often working with complex devices, software, and AI-driven technologies. David has supported clients through challenging MDR/IVDR and FDA submissions. His strength lies in bridging technical depth with regulatory clarity, making compliance achievable, understandable, and robust. David collaborates closely with manufacturers to ensure sustained regulatory performance in dynamic global markets.
	Ellie Mallett White, Founder & Marketing Director at Sequel Consultants Ltd	Ellie is a digital marketing strategist and brand specialist with a strong track record in the MedTech, Life Sciences, and B2B sectors. As Founder and Marketing Director of Sequel Consultants Ltd, she helps ambitious companies translate complex ideas into clear, compelling content that drives growth and builds trust. Ellie delivers end-to-end digital strategy across content marketing, brand positioning, and lead generation, with a particular focus on regulated and technical industries. She also provides tailored LinkedIn training for teams and founders, helping clients turn the platform into a powerful tool for visibility, credibility, and connection. From social media and email campaigns to full brand overhauls, Ellie blends creativity with commercial insight to deliver strategies that make a measurable difference.
	Esther Lawrence, Head of Business Development – Grants at TBAT Innovation Ltd	Esther Lawrence joined TBAT Innovation in 2021, bringing with her over 20 years of experience in IT and electronics manufacturing and distribution. Throughout her career, she has developed a strong track record in successfully launching new technologies and services to market. At TBAT, Esther leads the Business Development team for grants, working with innovative start-ups and scale-ups across various sectors, including Life Sciences and MedTech, to secure non-dilutive funding through R&D grants and innovation incentives. Her strategic insight and commercial expertise support businesses in accelerating the development and commercialisation of cutting-edge technologies and services.
	Dr Ewa Truchanowicz FRSA, Medilink Midlands Board Member	Ewa is a business leader and independent advisor experienced in building successful enterprises and providing consulting services to technology-focused organisations ranging from start-ups to multinationals. Until recently, a Managing Director of a health tech company, she is an expert in supporting international companies within digital and med-tech, building highly performing teams and operations, and creating strategic support networks to help innovative companies succeed. Ewa is an educator on tech and health, a speaker at national and international events, a mentor, a health-tech executive, and a NED with experience from Boards governing publicly funded and commercial organisations. She is also a successful published academic and has authored peer-reviewed publications within the highest-ranking medical journals, including BMJ and NEJM. A former bid reviewer for NIHR, an assessor for Innovate UK, an honorary lecturer in a medical school and a visiting industrial fellow at UK Universities.
	Gareth Evans, BCRS Business Loans Ltd	Gareth Evans is a Business Development Manager for BCRS Business Loans, covering Warwickshire. He has 18 years of experience in providing lending solutions for SMEs. Passionate about helping customers who haven’t been supported by traditional lenders. Seeing customers go on to be successful and the benefit that it brings is what has always made him tick and working at BCRS gives him the opportunity to do that every day.
	Professor Gino Martini, CEO at Precision Health Technologies Accelerator (PHTA)	Professor Gino Martini is CEO of the Precision Health Technologies Accelerator (PHTA), the University of Birmingham’s £60 million hub for health tech innovation. Based at the Birmingham Health Innovation Campus, PHTA connects high-growth life sciences ventures to expert support, leading academics, and commercialisation pathways. A pharmacist by background, Gino has extensive experience across oncology, rare and infectious diseases, and drug development. Prior to joining PHTA in 2021, he was Chief Scientist at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, where he championed pharmacy’s role in the Covid-19 response and advised on key public health issues. He spent over a decade at GSK in senior R&D roles, followed by commercial and innovation leadership positions at Roche and Shire, overseeing global teams. Alongside his industry work, he has held academic appointments at King’s College London and continues to mentor emerging talent in pharmaceutical science. Gino holds an MBA (Distinction) focused on SME success and is a Fellow of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, the Royal Society of Chemistry, and the European Industrial Pharmacists Group.
	David Woakes, Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce	David is a tech and innovation advocate with over 30 years’ experience spanning engineering, recruitment, and commercial roles. Starting as an engineering apprentice, he has since led national consultancy programmes, including developing a secure data management system for a utilities partner. At the Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, David leverages his industry expertise to create value for Midlands businesses in supply chains, technology, overseas trade, and training. Passionate about future talent, he volunteers as an Enterprise Advisor, serves as a Birmingham Assay Office Guardian, Acorns Business Ambassador, and chairs the Warwickshire County Cricket League, one of the UK’s largest multicultural leagues.
	Dr Ian Newington, Innovation Lead, NIHR Healthtech Research Centre for Brain Injury	Previously Assistant Director in the Innovations Team at LGC’s Grant Management Group (Nov 2014 to Mar 2025), I was actively involved in the NIHR i4i Programme, SBRI Healthcare and the OLS Health Goals Calls, managing a portfolio of funded projects and supporting many potential applicants, including startups, signposting them to appropriate support within and outside of NIHR. A synthetic chemist by background I spent 2 years in Big Pharma before my DPhil. I then joined Kodak European R&D labs followed by 9 years at GE Healthcare Imaging R&D in Amersham, as a Principal Scientist I am a (co-)inventor on 39 patent applications. In my spare time, I am a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, a member of UKRI Peer Review College, the External Advisory Board of the NHS Cancer Programme and 3 of the HRCs. I am a mentor for the UKRI Future Leaders Fellowships, NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme and KQ Labs Accelerator.
	James Carpenter, CEO of SurePulse Medical Ltd	James Carpenter has been the CEO of SurePulse Medical (a University of Nottingham spin-out company) since its inception in 2014. He is responsible for the company’s strategic direction and investment, raising over £9m of financing to support R&D, clinical work and commercialisation. He has taken its first product through CE and FDA regulatory approvals, resulting in SurePulse being awarded multiple Medilink regional and national awards. He is a Royal Academy of Engineering SME Leader. He is an electronic engineer by training. Prior to being CEO of SurePulse, he was a Research Fellow at the University of Nottingham in optical photoplethysmographic heart rate sensing, and undertook a PhD in high speed Laser Doppler Blood Flow Imaging. Before that he undertook a MEng in Electronic Engineering, also at the University of Nottingham.
	Professor John Hunt, Professor and Research Theme Leader at Nottingham Trent University	Professor John Hunt leads work on Medical Technologies and Advanced Materials, and is the academic lead for the Medical Technologies Innovation Facility (MTIF). He chairs the EMERGE RehabTech Place-Based Impact Acceleration Account (PBIAA), which supports the rapid adoption of rehabilitation technologies emerging from university research into health and care pathways. With over 35 years of experience, his research focuses on regenerative medicine, biomaterials, and tissue engineering, translating innovation into clinical application.
	Joshua Dale, Associate Director, West Midlands Health and Wellbeing Innovation Network (WMHWIN), University of Warwick’s Innovation District, Director at Black Space Technology	Joshua champions the design and execution of pioneering challenge based innovation programmes across the health tech sector. Drawing from a background in scaling innovation initiatives, he specialises in guiding innovators and NHS Trusts through collaborative end to end development — from ideation and proof of concept to a tailored NHS solution.
	Kevin D. Malecek, Director of Economic Development and International Trade at City of Mentor	Kevin is Director of Economic Development and International Trade for the City of Mentor, Ohio, leading business attraction, retention, and international trade efforts in one of the state’s largest commercial hubs. He previously served as Lake County Commissioner and President & CEO of the Mentor Area Chamber of Commerce. Kevin has forged global partnerships, notably with UK and European organisations, and helped businesses navigate the COVID-19 crisis through grant and support programs. He serves on several regional and national boards and holds degrees in Government and Political Science from American University in Washington, DC.
	Dr Lisa Page, Partner of Penningtons Manches Cooper	Dr Lisa Page is a partner in the IP, IT and commercial team, specialising in the life sciences sector. She advises biotechs, pharma companies, start-ups, spin-outs, and research organisations on regulatory matters, clinical trial agreements, and complex licensing and collaboration deals. Lisa has particular expertise in early-stage product development, including co-development and pipeline agreements. She also provides regulatory guidance on software and AI as medical devices. Recently, her focus has been on the growing impact of AI in life sciences, supporting clients in navigating evolving regulations around AI-driven products and clinical trials.
	Lucy Granger, Head of International Trade at the East Midlands Chamber	Lucy leads the Chamber’s portfolio of international services, including Export Documentation, ATA Carnets, and ChamberCustoms®. With extensive expertise in global trade operations, Lucy plays a pivotal role in supporting businesses to navigate complex international markets and regulatory frameworks. Lucy is a Customs Trainer, specialising in Customs Declarations, compliance, and the effective utilisation of Free Trade Agreements. She is passionate about empowering organisations to trade confidently, efficiently, and in full compliance.
	Dr Mark Eccleston, CEO at ValiRx Plc and Medilink Midlands Board Member	Dr Mark Eccleston is a polymer chemist and biotech entrepreneur with over 30 years’ experience in translational science, drug development, and biomarkers. He is CEO of ValiRx Plc, an AIM-listed pharmaceutical company, and also leads biotech consultancy OncoLytika Ltd. A former BBSRC Enterprise Fellow with an MBA in Entrepreneurship, Mark holds over 30 patents spanning therapeutics and diagnostics. He co-founded several companies, including Volition, where he sits on the Scientific Advisory Board. Alongside his commercial work, he supervises postgraduate research and advises the Open University on bioscience employability and bioinformatics training.
	Professor Martin Levermore MBE DL, Chair of Medilink Midlands	Professor Martin Levermore MBE DL is Chair of Medilink Midlands, Vice Chair of Nehemiah United Churches Housing Association, and Chief Executive Officer of Medical Devices Technology International Ltd. He also serves as a Trustee of New Roots Charity, a Director of the Birmingham Commonwealth Association, and a member of the Executive Committee of the Greater Birmingham Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce. A Visiting Professor at Birmingham City University and Honorary Consultant for Health Innovations with the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, Professor Levermore was appointed Non-Executive Director of the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust in December 2021. He is widely published in academic journals.
	Maryam Hasanova, founder of OncoFlow	OncoFlow, an AI-powered cancer intelligence platform transforming unstructured clinical data into actionable insights for cancer multidisciplinary teams. Currently being tested, piloted and deployed across Europe and Asia to streamline decision-making in breast cancer and beyond. The company was one of only four selected for the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s (MHRA’s) pioneering AI Airlock programme, where it worked with UK regulators to define safe and effective deployment pathways for medical AI tools. Maryam brings a unique perspective at the intersection of clinical workflows, AI infrastructure, and regulatory innovation.
	Matthew Bacon, CEO at TCC-Casemix	Updates to follow.
	Melanie Davidson, CEO at Medilink Midlands	Melanie brings a background of industrial research and business development from West Pharmaceutical Service’s Drug Delivery Division. She also broadens our bioscience reach having studied Animal Science at The University of Nottingham. Before joining Medilink, Melanie gained valuable experience in economic development and international investment at the East Midlands Development Agency (emda).
	Min Rose, Interim Director of Research and Knowledge Exchange at University of Nottingham Ningbo China	Min has 28 years’ experience driving international collaboration across higher education, trade, investment, culture, and civic engagement, with 19 years focused on UK-China relations. She is Interim Director for Research and Knowledge Exchange at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China, leading initiatives such as International Proof of Concept to promote technology transfer and future incubator development. Previously, Min was Deputy Director Knowledge Exchange Asia at the University of Nottingham UK, China Business Advisor at the East Midlands Development Agency, and Coordinator of the Leicestershire-Sichuan Trade Bureau. Her awards include the Mulan Award (2015), Vice-Chancellor’s Awards (2016, 2024), and East Midlands Chamber Female Employee of the Year (2017).
	Omar Daniel, OHP Primary Care Accelerator	Omar previously co-founded and scaled a startup into 25% of NHS GP practices in 18 months. He is an operator-turned investor in early stage healthtech startups, while also sitting on the Board of NHS South West London ICB as an Associate NED. Omar founded and leads the Primary Care Accelerator, a recently launched programme to back, accelerate and scale innovation in Primary Care. PCA is embedded within at-scale GP practice groups, bringing real-world customers closer to innovators.
	Dr Rebecca Bignold, Co-Founder & CEO at Fibraxis	Dr. Rebecca Bignold is the Co-Founder and CEO of Fibraxis, a biotech spin-out from Aston University focused on innovative approaches to fibrosis and asthma. With an undergraduate degree in Biochemistry and a PhD in Biomedical Science, she brings deep expertise in cellular mechanisms of fibrosis and disease-driven research. Rebecca has led Fibraxis through leading accelerator programmes, including SPARK The Midlands and Plug and Play UK, while also securing pre-seed funding. Combining a strong scientific background with entrepreneurial drive, she is committed to advancing new therapies and building impactful collaborations.
	Dr. Richard Fallon, Co-Founder of the Technology Supply Chain (TSC), Innovation Awards and Life Sciences Week.	Richard connects manufacturing, technology, and life sciences firms to innovation and growth opportunities. Through the TSC, he helps companies access grants, funded support, and strategic partnerships. The TSC is proudly a delivery partner for the West Midlands Health Tech Innovation Accelerator partners. We support participants with funding, innovation and growth. As a passionate advocate for innovators, Richard bridges the gap between breakthrough technologies and market success. An accomplished TEDx speaker, he brings unique insights into scaling within the West Midlands innovation ecosystem.
	Richard Shaw, Commercial and Sustainability Lead at P-dm	Pd-m are experts in Health Tech Product design. Our clients include ambitious start-ups, SME’s, manufacturers, PLC’s and Universities. Our value is to navigate the complex innovation journey, from concept to commercialisation enabling a return on investment, scale and growth. Our unique knowledge in sustainability enables clients to understand the Net Zero road map, how to turn it to their advantage and more importantly identify savings in carbon and cost to increase profitability.
	Saran Muthiah, EnrichmyCare	Saran Muthiah is an accomplished healthcare leader, innovator, and lead paediatric physiotherapist with over 20 years’ NHS experience. A subject matter expert in improving patient pathways through cutting-edge digital solutions and process improvement, he also leads a Paediatric Movement Disorder Service supporting children with neurodisability, developmental disorders and other neurological conditions. As founder of EnrichMyCare—an award-winning digital health platform that enables families and clinicians to share information, coordinate care, and support decision-making in children and young people’s care pathways including neurodevelopmental, neurodisability, and rare disease pathways—Saran has been recognised with a Medilink Midlands Business Award and through the NHS England Clinical Entrepreneur Programme for his leadership in digital transformation. With a rare blend of clinical, technical, and strategic insight, his academic achievements include a Global Executive MBA (with distinction) from world-leading business schools and a master’s in computer science. He is currently undertaking a doctorate in Clinical AI, focused on using artificial intelligence to enable early diagnosis, personalised care, and greater efficiency in paediatric and rare disease pathways. Passionate about connecting the dots across health, technology, and lived experience, he is keen to meet like-minded people to explore opportunities for co-creation and co-production that drive meaningful change in healthcare.
	Simon Cooper, Managing Director Patent and Trade Mark Attorney at Adamson Jones, part of Gately	Adamson Jones, part of Gately, are passionate about supporting innovation in the UK’s life sciences and medtech community. We help clients of all sizes obtain effective patent, design, and trade mark protection covering the full range of products and technology in these fields including medical equipment, software, imaging, surgical instruments, drug delivery devices, wound care, diagnostics and sensors, drug formulations, therapeutics, new medical uses and vaccines. We ensure that specialist IP work is handled with the wider commercial aims of our clients, whether that relates to exit, licensing, generating investment or other commercial opportunities.
	Sunny Deo, Consultant Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgeon, Great Western Hospital, Swindon	Sunny has over 20 years’ experience, specialising in complex knee injuries, sports trauma, arthritis, and revision joint replacements. Based at Great Western Hospital, he runs a busy elective and trauma practice and co-leads a unique clinic for persistent knee pain with a specialist pain physician. Trained in Birmingham, Oxford, Cape Town, and Vancouver, Sunny was appointed consultant in 2001. He has held several leadership roles, including Surgical Tutor and Clinical Lead for Trauma, and now leads the hospital’s new rehabilitation service. He has published over 40 peer-reviewed articles and delivered 150+ presentations, with research interests in surgical outcomes, complex fractures, and healthcare data. He is the first clinician at his Trust funded for dedicated research time and recently launched a collaborative with the University of Bath. Sunny is an active educator and international faculty member, with plans to deliver trauma skills training in Sierra Leone.
	Tim Robinson, Commercial Director, Health Innovation East Midlands	Tim has over 25 years’ experience of health and care innovation, both within the NHS and through working for suppliers of digital products and services. He has a particular passion for digital innovation, unlocking the potential for technology to transform outcomes for staff and patients and generate NHS efficiencies. A graduate of the NHS management scheme, he has worked across NHS service improvement in strategic positions and currently is the Commercial Director for Health Innovation East Midlands (HIEM), which operates as the innovation arm of the region’s NHS and care system. Tim is a member of HIEMs strategic Executive Team and represents the organisation on a number of management and advisory boards and NHS enterprises. He also contributes his expertise to the national Health Innovation Network (the collaboration of England’s 15 HINs) and is a former chair of the Network’s commercial director forum.
	Dr Tom Adler, Former Peak District GP. FRCGP. Dip Sport and Exercise Medicine. Dip Law.	Tom has transitioned from a 30-year career in semi-rural general practice to cofounding Peak Medtek Ltd, a company focused on developing practical and inclusive solutions to support healthy ageing. Their flagship product is called Bide, a simple bedside device invented, and developed in order to help to prevent nighttime accidental falls. Tom was recently named Randal Charitable Foundation Midlands Entrepreneur of the Year.

2025 gallery

Overview

Main stage

Workshops

Meet the Sponsors

Exhibitors

Exhibit with us

Speaker profiles

2024 gallery

Overview

Main stage

Time	Agenda item	Speaker
09:15	Registration – Exhibition & Networkingg.
10:00	Welcome	Melanie Davidson, CEO – Medilink Midlands
10:10	Address from Medilink Midlands Chair	Professor Martin Levermore MBE DL, Medilink Midlands Chair
10:20	Medilink Midlands Update	Melanie Davidson
10:40	Sponsor Introductions	Adamson Jones Creative Networks Penningtons Manches Cooper
10:45	Future Talent Laboratory Launch including Q&A session	Melanie Davidson Dr Ben Roberts, Innovation Adviser
11:00	Break – Exhibition & Networking
11:30	Innovation	Chaired by Dr Mark Eccleston, CEO – ValiRx Plc
	This session is designed to showcase cutting-edge developments from leading companies in a dynamic, fast-paced format. The audience will hear pitching slots from a number of businesses showcasing their innovation.	James Carpenter – SurePulse Medical Saran Muthia – EnrichmyCare Dr Dave Seaward – 3P Innovation Rebecca Bignold – Fibraxis
12:30	International	Chaired by Andrea Dawson, CFOO, Medilink Midlands
	Join this session to learn the latest in terms of international activities, hear from some of Medilink Midlands overseas partners and what support is currently available to support our members and the sector with exporting and doing business globally.	Min Rose – Ningbo Campus, University of Nottingham Kevin Malecek – City of Mentor, Ohio, USA Lucy Granger – East Midlands Chamber David Woakes – Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Dace Dimza-Jones – Department for Business & Trade
13:00	Lunch – Exhibition & Networking
13:30	Case Study: Co-Innovation with the NHS – What Actually Works?	Chaired by Dr Ben Roberts, Innovation Advisor – Medilink Midlands
	-Successful co-creation models with NHS Trusts. -Lessons learned from failed innovations. -How to engage early with clinicians and trusts for need-led innovation.	Matthew Bacon – TCC-CASEMIX Sunny Deo – Great Western Hospital Joshua Dale – WM Health & Wellbeing Innovation Network
14:00	The Future of Healthcare is Personal: AI, Data & Precision Medicine	Chaired by Dr Ewa Truchanowicz, Founder, CEO, Advisor, NED, Investor, Deep Tech Mentor
	-Real-world examples of AI and data-driven tools improving diagnostics and patient outcomes -Opportunities for innovation in personalised medicine and remote monitoring -Ethical and data governance challenges	Professor Gino Martini – PHTA David Hawkins, Sotas Maryam Hasanova – Oncoflow
14:40	Medilink Midlands Innovation Builder	Chaired by Dr Ben Roberts
		Christian Kumar – Medtech Makers Lab Ellie Mallett White – Sequel Consultants Ltd
15:00	Investment: New Ways To Source & Access Funding	Chaired by Christian Kumar, MedTech Makers Lab & Medilink Midlands Entrepreneur in Residence
		Richard Fallon – Technology Supply Chain Esther Lawrence – TBAT Innovation Andy Green – Frontier Development Capital Gareth Evans – BRCS Loans Dr Ian Newington – NIHR Healthtech Research Centre for Brain Injury
16:00	Closing Remarks & Drinks Reception
17:00	Event concludes

Workshops

Meet the Sponsors


		Adamson Jones is passionate about supporting innovation in the UK’s life sciences and medtech community. We help clients of all sizes obtain effective patent, design, and trade mark protection covering the full range of products and technology in these fields including medical equipment, software, imaging, surgical instruments, drug delivery devices, wound care, diagnostics and sensors, drug formulations, therapeutics, new medical uses and vaccines. We ensure that specialist IP work is handled with the wider commercial aims of our clients, whether that relates to exit, licensing, generating investment or other commercial opportunities.
		Creative Networks is a trusted UK-based provider of comprehensive IT solutions, dedicated to empowering businesses through innovation, security, and reliable technology support. Specialising for over 20+ years in managed IT services, cybersecurity, cloud solutions, telecoms, and infrastructure, Creative Networks helps organisations streamline, safeguard data, and scale operations. With a client-first approach and certified expertise, we deliver tailored solutions that align with your business goals. Whether you’re a growing SME or an established enterprise, our proactive support and strategic guidance ensure maximum uptime and productivity. Partner with Creative Networks for smarter technology and dependable service that drives long-term success.
		Penningtons Manches Cooper is a leading UK and international law firm which provides high quality legal advice tailored to both businesses and individuals. Our award winning life sciences practice provides comprehensive, business oriented advice, bringing extensive legal, scientific and industry specific insights to its medical device, pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients. Our team acts for small and medium sized clients, larger plcs and multi-national enterprises. In addition, we work closely with research organisations to enable the effective adoption and transfer of technology and its further development. We also represent a number of venture capital funds. We provide the full range of legal, commercial and regulatory advice to clients and understand that the life sciences field is fast-moving and competitive. Effective legal support is essential at all stages of any life science business and we offer a service which is imaginative as well as realistic.

Exhibitors

Company Name	Company Info	Website
Adamson Jones, part of Gateley	A longstanding Patron of Medilink Midlands, Adamson Jones have a proud history of helping UK businesses in medical technology and life sciences harness the value of their intellectual property.	adamson-jones.co.uk
ALM Translations Ltd	ALM Translations delivers ISO-certified, tech-driven language solutions for MedTech. From regulatory documentation to multilingual marketing, we ensure accuracy, compliance, and global reach, empowering innovation in international healthcare markets.	almtranslations.com
Amies Technical Plastics	Amies Technical Plastics are specialist medical (cleanroom)/technical injection moulder based in Chesterfield. Providing expert support to a variety of medical clients from earliest prototype to full validation and production.	amiestechnicalplastics.co.uk
Bluefrog Design Ltd	Bluefrog Design is a multi disciplinary product design and innovation consultancy converting concepts and ideas into successful products for the Bio-science and healthcare markets.	bluefrogdesign.co.uk
Blüm Health	Award-winning Digital and Data Product delivery, Regulatory Compliance and Impact Strategists.	blumhealth.co.uk
BSI Medical Devices	BSI Medical Devices offers certification services to place safe and compliant medical devices on the market. We’re a leading full scope Notified Body (2797) and UK Approved Body (0086).	bsigroup.com
Creative Networks	Creative Networks is a trusted UK-based provider of comprehensive IT solutions, dedicated to empowering businesses through innovation, security, and reliable technology support.	creative-n.com
Edwards Chartered Accountants	Widely recognised and respected throughout the Midlands, Edwards are an independent accountancy practice with many years specialist professional experience acting for a wide variety of science and technology companies.	edwardsaccountants.co.uk
EnrichMyCare	EnrichMyCare is an award-winning digital health platform that enables families and clinicians to share information, coordinate care, and support decision-making in children and young people’s care pathways including neurodevelopmental, neurodisability, and rare disease pathways.	enrichmycare.com
Forresters	Forresters is a leading intellectual property (IP) firm that works with businesses to protect their key product offerings by securing IP protection for them.	forresters-ip.com
Fortec UK Ltd	Technology specialists solving complex challenges with displays, embedded computing, monitors, components and power. Guiding customers beyond initial specs to smarter, sustainable solutions – embracing complexity is what sets us apart.	fortec.uk
Arthur J. Gallagher Insurance Brokers Ltd	In the fast-changing life sciences and med tech sectors, we provide global yet local insurance, risk management, and consulting solutions to help mitigate risks and protect your business effectively.	ajg.com/uk/life-sciences/life-sciences-insurance
Haughton Design	Haughton Design specialises in all aspects of design and development of medical devices, IVD’s and drug delivery solutions – from concept to commercial release – including regulatory support, human factors and design for manufacture.	haughtondesign.co.uk
Health Innovation East Midlands	Health Innovation East Midlands plays a unique role in supporting innovators and healthcare organisations to find, test and implement better and safer ways of delivering health and care services for patients at scale.	healthinnovation-em.org.uk
IMed Consultancy	A highly knowledgeable medical devices regulatory consultancy with key experience in Regulatory Affairs and QA in medical devices, including Class III, active & implantables, SaMD, and IVDs.	imedconsultancy.com
Jaltek	Jaltek are a medically approved electronic design and manufacturing services provider based in Luton, UK. They support various industries with PCBA and Box-Builds ranging from prototyping to volume production.	jaltek.com
LimestoneGrey	LimestoneGrey is a specialist R&D tax credit consultancy, working closely with life sciences, med-tech and biotech companies across the UK, building strong relationships and providing a personal, tailored approach to navigating R&D tax relief.	limestonegrey.com
Kimal	Kimal are an innovative and trusted manufacturer and supplier of specialised procedure packs and vascular access devices to hospitals across the world.	kimal.com
Medilink Midlands	Medilink Midlands helps companies in the life sciences industry establish, develop and grow; through our business support, connectivity and collaboration.
Med-Tech Expo	Med-Tech Expo, held 3–4 June 2026, is the UK’s leading event for medical technology, featuring cutting-edge innovation, networking opportunities, and key insights for professionals across the healthcare and med-tech sectors.	med-techexpo.com
Med-Tech Insights	Stay ahead in the world of medical technology with MedTech Insights – your go-to source for the latest news, expert analysis, and industry trends.	med-techinsights.com
NIHR HealthTech Research Centre in Devices, Digital and Robotics	Translating new healthcare technologies safely and efficiently into health and care.	hrc-devices.nihr.ac.uk
OncoFlow	OncoFlow, an AI-powered cancer intelligence platform transforming unstructured clinical data into actionable insights for cancer multidisciplinary teams. Currently being tested, piloted and deployed across Europe and Asia to streamline decision-making in breast cancer and beyond. The company was one of only four selected for the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s (MHRA’s) pioneering AI Airlock programme, where it worked with UK regulators to define safe and effective deployment pathways for medical AI tools.	oncoflow.ai
OxDevice	A medical device design, development and manufacturing company.	oxdevice.com
Pd-m	An innovative design consultancy, specialising in strategic transformations and sustainability, driven by their vision ‘We take you further.’	pd-m.com
Penningtons Manches Cooper	A leading UK and international law firm providing high quality legal advice and expertise, tailored to innovative life sciences businesses.	penningtonslaw.com
Renfrew Group International	Multi award winning design and manufacturing team based in Leicester. ISO13495/9001. 30 years leading in Medtech innovation.	renfrewgroup.com
TBAT Innovation	TBAT is an independent consultancy with 20+ years’ experience helping UK Life Sciences and MedTech organisations secure R&D Tax Credits, grant funding, Patent Box, and tailored innovation support to accelerate growth.	tbat.co.uk
West Midlands Health Tech Innovation Accelerator (WMHTIA)	The West Midlands Health Tech Innovation Accelerator (WMHTIA) provides companies access to services and expertise that are pivotal in critically developing technologies and driving them towards market access.	wmhtia.com

Exhibit with us

Speaker profiles


	Alison Wildt, Innovation Lead, National rehabilitation Centre (NRC)	Alison is a physiotherapist specialising in neurological rehabilitation and has been involved in many aspects of the National Rehabilitation Centre project. She led the development of the innovative Rehabilitation Assistant Practitioner Apprenticeship – a key role designed to introduce more people to rewarding careers in rehabilitation. To support her work, Alison recently completed a Master’s in Healthcare Leadership, further strengthening her ability to lead and influence in the field.
	Andy Green, Deputy Fund Principal at Frontier Development Captial	Andy has extensive experience working with SME clients with turnover in region of £2m-£25m across many sectors. He has 24 years’ experience working at NatWest in corporate and commercial banking roles ultimately as Relationship Director. Andy primarily works across the West Midlands region, heading up the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II – Debt Finance for West Midlands fund, although he has worked on manufacturing funds with a national reach.
	Aqeel Mahmood, Account Manager at Creative Networks	Creative Networks is a trusted UK-based provider of comprehensive IT solutions, dedicated to empowering businesses through innovation, security, and reliable technology support. Specialising for over 20+ years in managed IT services, cybersecurity, cloud solutions, telecoms, and infrastructure, Creative Networks helps organisations streamline, safeguard data, and scale operations. With a client-first approach and certified expertise, we deliver tailored solutions that align with your business goals. Whether you’re a growing SME or an established enterprise, our proactive support and strategic guidance ensure maximum uptime and productivity. Partner with Creative Networks for smarter technology and dependable service that drives long-term success.
	Christian Kumar, CEO at MedTwch Makers Lab & Medilink Midlands Entrepreneur in Residence	Christian, a seasoned professional, transitioned from a successful career in investment banking to become a trailblazing innovator and lecturer. In 2019, he established the MedTech Makers Lab, pioneering pathways for global medical technology innovations to thrive in the Midlands. Christian imparts his expertise as an innovation management instructor at six universities spanning five countries and facilitates acceleration labs throughout the EU. His teachings cover strategic roadmapping and funding strategies, empowering companies to navigate the dynamic landscape of innovation. With a passion for transforming ideas into reality, Christian continues to shape the future of MedTech and innovation worldwide.
	Dace Dimza-Jones, Department for Business & Trade	Dace is a National Life Sciences Specialist within the UK Government’s Global Entrepreneur Programme. In this role, she supports internationally mobile tech entrepreneurs and their IP-rich businesses to scale and grow from a UK-based global headquarters. Dace plays a pivotal role in attracting and increasing investment in the UK’s Life Sciences sector, helping to advance the country’s strategic ambitions in this field. She works closely with businesses, providing tailored support and guidance on establishing or expanding their UK presence. Her work includes enabling regional partnerships, connecting investors with live opportunities and industry contacts, and identifying optimal investment locations. Dace’s expertise spans over 30 therapeutic areas across primary, secondary, and social care settings. She supports a wide range of innovators and enterprises in pharmaceuticals, MedTech, digital health, and biotechnology.
	Professor Dan Clark, OBE, Head of Clinical Engineering at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust	Professor Dan Clark, OBE, is a leading figure in healthcare technology innovation, with over 35 years of experience. He is the Co-director of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Healthcare research Centre in rehabilitation (HRC), where he oversees research and innovation aimed at transforming rehabilitation through advanced technologies and system redesign. Recognised with an OBE in 2021 for his contributions to the NHS during the COVID-19 pandemic, he also holds honorary professorships and serves as Vice President (International) of the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine.
	Dr Dave Seaward, Founding Director at 3P Innovation	3P innovation develops new processes and high-quality automation systems for clinical and commercial manufacture of drug delivery devices. 3P is active in automation associated with inhalers, injector pens, modified release and aseptic filling. Dave is a chartered engineer with a first degree in electrical and mechanical engineering and a control theory PhD. His 40 plus year career is associated with the development of custom automation for a variety of industries, including the pharmaceutical and medical device sectors. Many of his projects have included advanced powder or liquid dispensing. He developed the way the pyramid teabag is filled with tea and is a named inventor on Unilever’s associated patent; as a result, he is mentioned in the UK Patent Office book “Inventing the 20th Century”. Dave is named inventor on over 20 other patents.
	David Hawkins, CTO & Co-Founder at Sotas	A specialist consultancy delivering regulatory and compliance solutions to HealthTech and MedTech industries. With over 20 years of industry, David brings deep technical and regulatory insight, having worked engineering, quality, compliance, and regulatory affairs. He is a trusted expert in navigating regulatory pathways, often working with complex devices, software, and AI-driven technologies. David has supported clients through challenging MDR/IVDR and FDA submissions. His strength lies in bridging technical depth with regulatory clarity, making compliance achievable, understandable, and robust. David collaborates closely with manufacturers to ensure sustained regulatory performance in dynamic global markets.
	Ellie Mallett White, Founder & Marketing Director at Sequel Consultants Ltd	Ellie is a digital marketing strategist and brand specialist with a strong track record in the MedTech, Life Sciences, and B2B sectors. As Founder and Marketing Director of Sequel Consultants Ltd, she helps ambitious companies translate complex ideas into clear, compelling content that drives growth and builds trust. Ellie delivers end-to-end digital strategy across content marketing, brand positioning, and lead generation, with a particular focus on regulated and technical industries. She also provides tailored LinkedIn training for teams and founders, helping clients turn the platform into a powerful tool for visibility, credibility, and connection. From social media and email campaigns to full brand overhauls, Ellie blends creativity with commercial insight to deliver strategies that make a measurable difference.
	Esther Lawrence, Head of Business Development – Grants at TBAT Innovation Ltd	Esther Lawrence joined TBAT Innovation in 2021, bringing with her over 20 years of experience in IT and electronics manufacturing and distribution. Throughout her career, she has developed a strong track record in successfully launching new technologies and services to market. At TBAT, Esther leads the Business Development team for grants, working with innovative start-ups and scale-ups across various sectors, including Life Sciences and MedTech, to secure non-dilutive funding through R&D grants and innovation incentives. Her strategic insight and commercial expertise support businesses in accelerating the development and commercialisation of cutting-edge technologies and services.
	Dr Ewa Truchanowicz FRSA, Medilink Midlands Board Member	Ewa is a business leader and independent advisor experienced in building successful enterprises and providing consulting services to technology-focused organisations ranging from start-ups to multinationals. Until recently, a Managing Director of a health tech company, she is an expert in supporting international companies within digital and med-tech, building highly performing teams and operations, and creating strategic support networks to help innovative companies succeed. Ewa is an educator on tech and health, a speaker at national and international events, a mentor, a health-tech executive, and a NED with experience from Boards governing publicly funded and commercial organisations. She is also a successful published academic and has authored peer-reviewed publications within the highest-ranking medical journals, including BMJ and NEJM. A former bid reviewer for NIHR, an assessor for Innovate UK, an honorary lecturer in a medical school and a visiting industrial fellow at UK Universities.
	Gareth Evans, BCRS Business Loans Ltd	Gareth Evans is a Business Development Manager for BCRS Business Loans, covering Warwickshire. He has 18 years of experience in providing lending solutions for SMEs. Passionate about helping customers who haven’t been supported by traditional lenders. Seeing customers go on to be successful and the benefit that it brings is what has always made him tick and working at BCRS gives him the opportunity to do that every day.
	Professor Gino Martini, CEO at Precision Health Technologies Accelerator (PHTA)	Professor Gino Martini is CEO of the Precision Health Technologies Accelerator (PHTA), the University of Birmingham’s £60 million hub for health tech innovation. Based at the Birmingham Health Innovation Campus, PHTA connects high-growth life sciences ventures to expert support, leading academics, and commercialisation pathways. A pharmacist by background, Gino has extensive experience across oncology, rare and infectious diseases, and drug development. Prior to joining PHTA in 2021, he was Chief Scientist at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, where he championed pharmacy’s role in the Covid-19 response and advised on key public health issues. He spent over a decade at GSK in senior R&D roles, followed by commercial and innovation leadership positions at Roche and Shire, overseeing global teams. Alongside his industry work, he has held academic appointments at King’s College London and continues to mentor emerging talent in pharmaceutical science. Gino holds an MBA (Distinction) focused on SME success and is a Fellow of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, the Royal Society of Chemistry, and the European Industrial Pharmacists Group.
	David Woakes, Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce	David is a tech and innovation advocate with over 30 years’ experience spanning engineering, recruitment, and commercial roles. Starting as an engineering apprentice, he has since led national consultancy programmes, including developing a secure data management system for a utilities partner. At the Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, David leverages his industry expertise to create value for Midlands businesses in supply chains, technology, overseas trade, and training. Passionate about future talent, he volunteers as an Enterprise Advisor, serves as a Birmingham Assay Office Guardian, Acorns Business Ambassador, and chairs the Warwickshire County Cricket League, one of the UK’s largest multicultural leagues.
	Dr Ian Newington, Innovation Lead, NIHR Healthtech Research Centre for Brain Injury	Previously Assistant Director in the Innovations Team at LGC’s Grant Management Group (Nov 2014 to Mar 2025), I was actively involved in the NIHR i4i Programme, SBRI Healthcare and the OLS Health Goals Calls, managing a portfolio of funded projects and supporting many potential applicants, including startups, signposting them to appropriate support within and outside of NIHR. A synthetic chemist by background I spent 2 years in Big Pharma before my DPhil. I then joined Kodak European R&D labs followed by 9 years at GE Healthcare Imaging R&D in Amersham, as a Principal Scientist I am a (co-)inventor on 39 patent applications. In my spare time, I am a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, a member of UKRI Peer Review College, the External Advisory Board of the NHS Cancer Programme and 3 of the HRCs. I am a mentor for the UKRI Future Leaders Fellowships, NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme and KQ Labs Accelerator.
	James Carpenter, CEO of SurePulse Medical Ltd	James Carpenter has been the CEO of SurePulse Medical (a University of Nottingham spin-out company) since its inception in 2014. He is responsible for the company’s strategic direction and investment, raising over £9m of financing to support R&D, clinical work and commercialisation. He has taken its first product through CE and FDA regulatory approvals, resulting in SurePulse being awarded multiple Medilink regional and national awards. He is a Royal Academy of Engineering SME Leader. He is an electronic engineer by training. Prior to being CEO of SurePulse, he was a Research Fellow at the University of Nottingham in optical photoplethysmographic heart rate sensing, and undertook a PhD in high speed Laser Doppler Blood Flow Imaging. Before that he undertook a MEng in Electronic Engineering, also at the University of Nottingham.
	Professor John Hunt, Professor and Research Theme Leader at Nottingham Trent University	Professor John Hunt leads work on Medical Technologies and Advanced Materials, and is the academic lead for the Medical Technologies Innovation Facility (MTIF). He chairs the EMERGE RehabTech Place-Based Impact Acceleration Account (PBIAA), which supports the rapid adoption of rehabilitation technologies emerging from university research into health and care pathways. With over 35 years of experience, his research focuses on regenerative medicine, biomaterials, and tissue engineering, translating innovation into clinical application.
	Joshua Dale, Associate Director, West Midlands Health and Wellbeing Innovation Network (WMHWIN), University of Warwick’s Innovation District, Director at Black Space Technology	Joshua champions the design and execution of pioneering challenge based innovation programmes across the health tech sector. Drawing from a background in scaling innovation initiatives, he specialises in guiding innovators and NHS Trusts through collaborative end to end development — from ideation and proof of concept to a tailored NHS solution.
	Kevin D. Malecek, Director of Economic Development and International Trade at City of Mentor	Kevin is Director of Economic Development and International Trade for the City of Mentor, Ohio, leading business attraction, retention, and international trade efforts in one of the state’s largest commercial hubs. He previously served as Lake County Commissioner and President & CEO of the Mentor Area Chamber of Commerce. Kevin has forged global partnerships, notably with UK and European organisations, and helped businesses navigate the COVID-19 crisis through grant and support programs. He serves on several regional and national boards and holds degrees in Government and Political Science from American University in Washington, DC.
	Dr Lisa Page, Partner of Penningtons Manches Cooper	Dr Lisa Page is a partner in the IP, IT and commercial team, specialising in the life sciences sector. She advises biotechs, pharma companies, start-ups, spin-outs, and research organisations on regulatory matters, clinical trial agreements, and complex licensing and collaboration deals. Lisa has particular expertise in early-stage product development, including co-development and pipeline agreements. She also provides regulatory guidance on software and AI as medical devices. Recently, her focus has been on the growing impact of AI in life sciences, supporting clients in navigating evolving regulations around AI-driven products and clinical trials.
	Lucy Granger, Head of International Trade at the East Midlands Chamber	Lucy leads the Chamber’s portfolio of international services, including Export Documentation, ATA Carnets, and ChamberCustoms®. With extensive expertise in global trade operations, Lucy plays a pivotal role in supporting businesses to navigate complex international markets and regulatory frameworks. Lucy is a Customs Trainer, specialising in Customs Declarations, compliance, and the effective utilisation of Free Trade Agreements. She is passionate about empowering organisations to trade confidently, efficiently, and in full compliance.
	Dr Mark Eccleston, CEO at ValiRx Plc and Medilink Midlands Board Member	Dr Mark Eccleston is a polymer chemist and biotech entrepreneur with over 30 years’ experience in translational science, drug development, and biomarkers. He is CEO of ValiRx Plc, an AIM-listed pharmaceutical company, and also leads biotech consultancy OncoLytika Ltd. A former BBSRC Enterprise Fellow with an MBA in Entrepreneurship, Mark holds over 30 patents spanning therapeutics and diagnostics. He co-founded several companies, including Volition, where he sits on the Scientific Advisory Board. Alongside his commercial work, he supervises postgraduate research and advises the Open University on bioscience employability and bioinformatics training.
	Professor Martin Levermore MBE DL, Chair of Medilink Midlands	Professor Martin Levermore MBE DL is Chair of Medilink Midlands, Vice Chair of Nehemiah United Churches Housing Association, and Chief Executive Officer of Medical Devices Technology International Ltd. He also serves as a Trustee of New Roots Charity, a Director of the Birmingham Commonwealth Association, and a member of the Executive Committee of the Greater Birmingham Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce. A Visiting Professor at Birmingham City University and Honorary Consultant for Health Innovations with the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, Professor Levermore was appointed Non-Executive Director of the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust in December 2021. He is widely published in academic journals.
	Maryam Hasanova, founder of OncoFlow	OncoFlow, an AI-powered cancer intelligence platform transforming unstructured clinical data into actionable insights for cancer multidisciplinary teams. Currently being tested, piloted and deployed across Europe and Asia to streamline decision-making in breast cancer and beyond. The company was one of only four selected for the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s (MHRA’s) pioneering AI Airlock programme, where it worked with UK regulators to define safe and effective deployment pathways for medical AI tools. Maryam brings a unique perspective at the intersection of clinical workflows, AI infrastructure, and regulatory innovation.
	Matthew Bacon, CEO at TCC-Casemix	Updates to follow.
	Melanie Davidson, CEO at Medilink Midlands	Melanie brings a background of industrial research and business development from West Pharmaceutical Service’s Drug Delivery Division. She also broadens our bioscience reach having studied Animal Science at The University of Nottingham. Before joining Medilink, Melanie gained valuable experience in economic development and international investment at the East Midlands Development Agency (emda).
	Min Rose, Interim Director of Research and Knowledge Exchange at University of Nottingham Ningbo China	Min has 28 years’ experience driving international collaboration across higher education, trade, investment, culture, and civic engagement, with 19 years focused on UK-China relations. She is Interim Director for Research and Knowledge Exchange at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China, leading initiatives such as International Proof of Concept to promote technology transfer and future incubator development. Previously, Min was Deputy Director Knowledge Exchange Asia at the University of Nottingham UK, China Business Advisor at the East Midlands Development Agency, and Coordinator of the Leicestershire-Sichuan Trade Bureau. Her awards include the Mulan Award (2015), Vice-Chancellor’s Awards (2016, 2024), and East Midlands Chamber Female Employee of the Year (2017).
	Omar Daniel, OHP Primary Care Accelerator	Omar previously co-founded and scaled a startup into 25% of NHS GP practices in 18 months. He is an operator-turned investor in early stage healthtech startups, while also sitting on the Board of NHS South West London ICB as an Associate NED. Omar founded and leads the Primary Care Accelerator, a recently launched programme to back, accelerate and scale innovation in Primary Care. PCA is embedded within at-scale GP practice groups, bringing real-world customers closer to innovators.
	Dr Rebecca Bignold, Co-Founder & CEO at Fibraxis	Dr. Rebecca Bignold is the Co-Founder and CEO of Fibraxis, a biotech spin-out from Aston University focused on innovative approaches to fibrosis and asthma. With an undergraduate degree in Biochemistry and a PhD in Biomedical Science, she brings deep expertise in cellular mechanisms of fibrosis and disease-driven research. Rebecca has led Fibraxis through leading accelerator programmes, including SPARK The Midlands and Plug and Play UK, while also securing pre-seed funding. Combining a strong scientific background with entrepreneurial drive, she is committed to advancing new therapies and building impactful collaborations.
	Dr. Richard Fallon, Co-Founder of the Technology Supply Chain (TSC), Innovation Awards and Life Sciences Week.	Richard connects manufacturing, technology, and life sciences firms to innovation and growth opportunities. Through the TSC, he helps companies access grants, funded support, and strategic partnerships. The TSC is proudly a delivery partner for the West Midlands Health Tech Innovation Accelerator partners. We support participants with funding, innovation and growth. As a passionate advocate for innovators, Richard bridges the gap between breakthrough technologies and market success. An accomplished TEDx speaker, he brings unique insights into scaling within the West Midlands innovation ecosystem.
	Richard Shaw, Commercial and Sustainability Lead at P-dm	Pd-m are experts in Health Tech Product design. Our clients include ambitious start-ups, SME’s, manufacturers, PLC’s and Universities. Our value is to navigate the complex innovation journey, from concept to commercialisation enabling a return on investment, scale and growth. Our unique knowledge in sustainability enables clients to understand the Net Zero road map, how to turn it to their advantage and more importantly identify savings in carbon and cost to increase profitability.
	Saran Muthiah, EnrichmyCare	Saran Muthiah is an accomplished healthcare leader, innovator, and lead paediatric physiotherapist with over 20 years’ NHS experience. A subject matter expert in improving patient pathways through cutting-edge digital solutions and process improvement, he also leads a Paediatric Movement Disorder Service supporting children with neurodisability, developmental disorders and other neurological conditions. As founder of EnrichMyCare—an award-winning digital health platform that enables families and clinicians to share information, coordinate care, and support decision-making in children and young people’s care pathways including neurodevelopmental, neurodisability, and rare disease pathways—Saran has been recognised with a Medilink Midlands Business Award and through the NHS England Clinical Entrepreneur Programme for his leadership in digital transformation. With a rare blend of clinical, technical, and strategic insight, his academic achievements include a Global Executive MBA (with distinction) from world-leading business schools and a master’s in computer science. He is currently undertaking a doctorate in Clinical AI, focused on using artificial intelligence to enable early diagnosis, personalised care, and greater efficiency in paediatric and rare disease pathways. Passionate about connecting the dots across health, technology, and lived experience, he is keen to meet like-minded people to explore opportunities for co-creation and co-production that drive meaningful change in healthcare.
	Simon Cooper, Managing Director Patent and Trade Mark Attorney at Adamson Jones, part of Gately	Adamson Jones, part of Gately, are passionate about supporting innovation in the UK’s life sciences and medtech community. We help clients of all sizes obtain effective patent, design, and trade mark protection covering the full range of products and technology in these fields including medical equipment, software, imaging, surgical instruments, drug delivery devices, wound care, diagnostics and sensors, drug formulations, therapeutics, new medical uses and vaccines. We ensure that specialist IP work is handled with the wider commercial aims of our clients, whether that relates to exit, licensing, generating investment or other commercial opportunities.
	Sunny Deo, Consultant Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgeon, Great Western Hospital, Swindon	Sunny has over 20 years’ experience, specialising in complex knee injuries, sports trauma, arthritis, and revision joint replacements. Based at Great Western Hospital, he runs a busy elective and trauma practice and co-leads a unique clinic for persistent knee pain with a specialist pain physician. Trained in Birmingham, Oxford, Cape Town, and Vancouver, Sunny was appointed consultant in 2001. He has held several leadership roles, including Surgical Tutor and Clinical Lead for Trauma, and now leads the hospital’s new rehabilitation service. He has published over 40 peer-reviewed articles and delivered 150+ presentations, with research interests in surgical outcomes, complex fractures, and healthcare data. He is the first clinician at his Trust funded for dedicated research time and recently launched a collaborative with the University of Bath. Sunny is an active educator and international faculty member, with plans to deliver trauma skills training in Sierra Leone.
	Tim Robinson, Commercial Director, Health Innovation East Midlands	Tim has over 25 years’ experience of health and care innovation, both within the NHS and through working for suppliers of digital products and services. He has a particular passion for digital innovation, unlocking the potential for technology to transform outcomes for staff and patients and generate NHS efficiencies. A graduate of the NHS management scheme, he has worked across NHS service improvement in strategic positions and currently is the Commercial Director for Health Innovation East Midlands (HIEM), which operates as the innovation arm of the region’s NHS and care system. Tim is a member of HIEMs strategic Executive Team and represents the organisation on a number of management and advisory boards and NHS enterprises. He also contributes his expertise to the national Health Innovation Network (the collaboration of England’s 15 HINs) and is a former chair of the Network’s commercial director forum.
	Dr Tom Adler, Former Peak District GP. FRCGP. Dip Sport and Exercise Medicine. Dip Law.	Tom has transitioned from a 30-year career in semi-rural general practice to cofounding Peak Medtek Ltd, a company focused on developing practical and inclusive solutions to support healthy ageing. Their flagship product is called Bide, a simple bedside device invented, and developed in order to help to prevent nighttime accidental falls. Tom was recently named Randal Charitable Foundation Midlands Entrepreneur of the Year.

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Medilink Midlands Innovation Day

Full gallery of photos taken at the Medilink Midlands Innovation Day 2025. Access code: medilink2025

To view the full gallery of photos taken at the Medilink Midlands Innovation Day 2024 by Peter Nutkins, click here.

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Full gallery of photos taken at the Medilink Midlands Innovation Day 2025. Access code: medilink2025

To view the full gallery of photos taken at the Medilink Midlands Innovation Day 2024 by Peter Nutkins, click here.

Almost There! Just Tell Us a Bit About You​

Almost There! Just Tell Us a Bit About You​

Almost There! Just Tell Us a Bit About You​

Almost There! Just Tell Us a Bit About You​

Almost There! Just Tell Us a Bit About You​

Almost There! Just Tell Us a Bit About You​

Almost There! Just Tell Us a Bit About You​

Almost There! Just Tell Us a Bit About You​

Almost There! Just Tell Us a Bit About You​

Almost There! Just Tell Us a Bit About You​

Almost There! Just Tell Us a Bit About You​

Almost There! Just Tell Us a Bit About You

Almost There! Just Tell Us a Bit About You

Almost There! Just Tell Us a Bit About You

Almost There! Just Tell Us a Bit About You

Almost There! Just Tell Us a Bit About You

Almost There! Just Tell Us a Bit About You

Almost There! Just Tell Us a Bit About You

Almost There! Just Tell Us a Bit About You

Almost There! Just Tell Us a Bit About You

Almost There! Just Tell Us a Bit About You

Almost There! Just Tell Us a Bit About You