John is head of the North East Innovation Lab (NEIL) at Newcastle Hospitals where he leads a team dedicated to working with industry to support the development of new diagnostic tests, and runs the Hospital’s Biobank. NEIL work closely with our HRC. He has overall responsibility for lab operations and ensuring strong partnerships with industry, academia and the NHS, working closely with Newcastle hospitals’ senior management and clinical teams.

With a PhD in molecular genetics, John started his career in academic research and has ten years’ experience in the development of molecular assays and medical devices. He has led the development of in-vitro diagnostic tests on a novel point of care platform as well as the development of underlying technologies. John has also established and managed the delivery of a range of molecular testing services in a commercial laboratory.