Graham Watson

Executive Chairman

Graham Watson LLB CA FRSA is an experienced non-executive director and senior executive with a strong commercial track record.

He has a rich mix of board responsibilities in Scotland, including The Law Society of Scotland (where he is the Treasurer and a member of Council), the Court of Heriot-Watt University (where he also chairs the Finance Committee) and Scottish Futures Trust (where he also chaired the Audit Committee).

He is a former partner in a Big 4 accounting firm, with extensive experience of working with SME clients delivering business development and strategic planning programmes and leading change initiatives. During his career, he has initiated and executed over 100 corporate transactions, valued at over £2bn. He has lived and worked in Silicon Valley, as well as in Scotland, during his 35-year business career.

Colin Morgan

Director and Vice-Chair

Colin Morgan was formerly with the Johnson & Johnson Medical Device companies in the UK & Ireland for 36 years with responsibilities split equally between UK and International markets, Colin’s current appointments include; Director & Vice Chair Scottish Health Innovations Limited (SHIL) (2006 to date); Director & Trustee James IV Association of Surgeons (2009 to date), Trustee Director -The Laggan Forest Trust (2016 to date), Patron - Royal College of Surgeon of England (2004).

Previous appointments have included: Managing Director J&J Medical UK (1995-2012), Chair Scottish Enterprise Medical Technology Strategy Group (2012-2016), Industry Co-Chair of MMSTG (UK Dept of Health Medical Technology Strategy steering Group, 2010 - 2012), Chair of ABHI (Association of British Healthcare Industries – 2004-2007), Member NHS England Innovation Health & Wealth (IHW) board and Innovation Partnership Board (IPB) for NHS Scotland.

Colin has received Honorary Fellowships from the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Glasgow; the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh and the Association of Surgeons of Great Britain & Ireland and was appointed an OBE in 2008 for Services to the Medical Device Industry.

Graeme Boyle

Non-Executive Director

Graeme Boyle is the Senior R&D Manager at the Tayside Medical Science Centre (TASC). He leads a team responsible for clinical research management and governance, on behalf of NHS Tayside and University of Dundee, across a range of therapeutic areas.

Prior to TASC he led the Executive team at Health Science Scotland (HSS) and was interim Director of the Stratified Medicine Scotland Innovation Centre. Graeme joined HSS from Nexxus, the Scottish life science network, where he was Director. For the previous decade, he ran an international technology consultancy company, A Half MV Squared, and delivered a range of business growth projects, especially in West Coast USA.

He is a qualified biochemist with industrial experience; his expertise lies in technology marketing and corporate development, to which he brings a unique perspective, having held senior posts in multinational enterprises (Siemens, TÜV Süddeutschland) and in government (Scottish Enterprise, UK DTI).

Graeme is a co-founder of the European Diagnostics Cluster Alliance (EDCA), a Board member of the Council of the European Bio-Regions (CEBR), on the UK All Party Parliamentary Group for Life Sciences, Chair of the Tayside Institute of Cardiovascular Research Charity and was on the Advisory Board of the Glasgow Science Centre Bodyworks group.

Julie Brittenden

Non-Executive Director

Professor Julie Brittenden graduated from the University of Aberdeen with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of surgery degree in 1988 and obtained a Doctor of Medicine with honours in 1995. She has worked in Aberdeen and Edinburgh before moving to Glasgow in November 2015. Julie is Director of Research & Development for NHS GGC, Director of the joint NHSGGG & Glasgow University Clinical Research Facilities Professor of Vascular Surgery, College of Medical ,Veterinary and Life Sciences University of Glasgow and a Consultant Vascular Surgeon at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow.

Professor Brittenden’s research interests include the role of specific biomarkers (NT proBNP, SDMA, platelet function) as prognostic markers of cardiac risk in patients with peripheral arterial disease; evaluating and imaging of unstable carotid plaques; and venous disease. She has been involved in a number of multicentre trials and is the chief investigator of the National Institute for Health, Health Technology CLASS study: a multicentre trial comparing 3 treatment options for varicose veins.

Maggie Cruikshank

Non-Executive Director

Professor Maggie Cruickshank graduated from the University of Aberdeen in 1985 and was recently appointed to Director of NHS Grampian Research and Development.

She has a programme of research in pre-invasive disease of the lower genital tract with a focus on Human Papillomavirus infection (HPV) and cervical screening. As honorary consultant Gynaecologist, she leads the Colposcopy and specialist vulva disorders services.

Jann Gardner

Non-Executive Director

Jann Gardner took up the post of Chief Executive of NHS Golden Jubilee in January 2019. With more than 25 years of NHS and private healthcare management experience, Jann has held a number of senior leadership roles within clinical, operational, strategy and transformation with the common denominator of excellent patient care and experience as the critical objective.

Having started her career as a clinical pharmacist, she worked through progressively senior roles in her professional field and then within wider hospital healthcare management. With a commitment to continuous personal development she holds, in addition to her undergraduate pharmacy degree, postgraduate qualifications in Clinical Pharmacy, Health Economics, Programme Management and an Executive MBA. She has a keen interest in robotics, innovation, and the harnessing of eHealth solutions to accelerate outcomes and resilience.

Jann manages a very diverse and evolving portfolio in her current role which spans from overseeing a large expansion plan for NHS Golden Jubilee to the development and establishment of the NHS Scotland Academy and Innovation Accelerator. Jann continues to look at innovative ways forward for Healthcare and is a keen advocate in supporting this and has built links with academia and industry. Alongside her role at NHS Golden Jubilee Jann works closely with Scottish Government and is fundamental in the establishment of the upcoming Centre for Sustainable Delivery.

Prior to joining NHS Golden Jubilee, Jann was Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Operating Officer in NHS Fife.

Jacob George

Non-Executive Director

Professor Jacob George is Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine & Therapeutics and R&D Director for the East of Scotland NHS Research Scotland Node. Professor George is Director of the Tayside Medical Sciences Centre (TASC - https://www.ahspartnership.org.uk/tasc) comprising of the UKCRN registered Tayside Clinical Trials Unit, Clinical Research Centre, Tayside Biorepository, Clinical Research Imaging Facility, Research Governance, TASC Legal, Research Finance, Commercial and Non-Commercial Trial teams as well as the East of Scotland Research Ethics Service.

He is actively involved in Medicines Governance in Scotland, being both the Chair of the Medicines Advisory Group since 2009 and Tayside representative on the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) (2010-2019). He also sits on the National Appeals Panel for drugs not approved by the SMC. He was recently appointed by the Minister of Health, Malaysia as an International Expert Member of the Malaysian Scientific Review Panel for Phase I Clinical Trials.

Professionally, he is a Consultant Physician qualified in Clinical Pharmacology and General Internal Medicine and is an accredited European Hypertension Specialist. His clinical interest is in managing patients with high Cardiovascular risk. He is also Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine & Therapeutics at the University of Dundee Medical School. His research interests are focused on reducing cardiovascular risk factors. His research publications have been covered by more than 50 news organizations worldwide and he has conducted more than 80 media interviews including live television broadcasts to national and international media on the results of his research.

Douglas Griffin

Non-Executive Director

Douglas Griffin was educated at the High School of Glasgow, then University of Glasgow, where graduated with MA Honours in Modern and Scottish History in 1978. Added Postgraduate Diploma in Accountancy in 1979 before joining PMM and Co.

He worked for Pilkington Optronics within the defence industry from 1984 until 1993, as Chief Accountant from 1988 until 1993. Trained with Peat Marwick Mitchell and Co, now KPMG, qualifying CA in 1982. Left to join Pilkington Optronics in 1984.

Douglas became Director of Finance and Operations Monklands and Bellshill Hospitals NHS Trust from 1993 until 1998, then Director of Finance NHS Greater Glasgow Primary Care Trust from 1998 until 2005. Latterly, he became Director of Finance NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde from 2005 until he retired in 2011.

Gordon Watt

Non-Executive Director

Gordon Watt joined the Chief Scientist Office in 2014 after various posts in the Scottish Government, including Head of Youth Justice, Senior Policy Manager in the Office of the Chief Social Work Adviser and Head of Children’s Hearings Branch. Gordon is now Research Manager (Government, Ethics and Funding) and was appointed to the board in 2015 in order to represent the interests of the Scottish Ministers.

Sheena MacCormick

Innovation Manager

Sheena MacCormick has a degree in Economics and French from Glasgow University and a post-graduate diploma in marketing and European languages. Sheena’s background is in market research, and prior to joining SHIL, she worked for a number of market research agencies on both commercial and public sector projects. She has experience in a range of market research methodologies in both quantitative and qualitative research. Before joining SHIL, Sheena worked on the English National Patient Survey programme, managing surveys across health care Trusts in England. This work provided patient feedback for both the Care Quality Commission and individual Trusts and was aimed at promoting patient-centred care.

Robert Rea

Head of Innovation

Robert Rea holds a BSc (Hons) Developmental Biology, University of Edinburgh, (1998). He completed a Ph.D. in Biology from the University of York in 2002, specifically in genetics of plant cell division, and completed post-doctoral research fellowships at Walter & Eliza Hall Institute, Melbourne, Australia in dendritic cell immunology, 2003-2004. After that, Robert worked at the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia developing novel stem cell-based therapies for kidney disease between 2004-2006.

Robert became Automation Manager for Swedish biotech company Cellartis in 2007, and became Intellectual Property Manager for French biotech company Cellectis in 2010. He held the position of Business Development Executive at the University of St Andrews from 2013-2014, before joining SHIL as Head of Innovation in 2014.

Fiona Schäfer

Innovation Manager

Fiona Schäfer been championing the benefits of innovation and collaboration since graduating with a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Strathclyde over 20 years ago. She has worked across industry, academia and the public sector and diverse fields such as Food & Drink, Life Sciences, Creative Industries and Renewables. As co-founder of the Intellectual Assets Centre, she helped organisations identify, protect, develop and harness value from their ideas, knowledge and inventions. At Interface she assisted a wide range of businesses to build academic collaborations enabling them to develop new and improved products and services. Most recently, Fiona was supporting academics and clinical researchers at the University of Edinburgh’s College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, working closely with the NHS.

Fiona Fleming

Head of Communications and Engagement

Fiona Fleming has worked in communications for over 15 years, specialising in health over the last 10 years. Fiona joined SHIL in 2015 and is responsible for providing leadership and direction to marketing, communication and digital engagement activity. Prior to this roles included Events and Sponsorship Manager, and latterly Communications Manager with NHS Health Scotland (now Public Health Scotland); and secondment to Scottish Government media team working across the health portfolio during the 2014 referendum. Prior to specialising in health, Fiona worked as Events & PR Manager at Glasgow Metropolitan College including work on the merger and rebrand to City of Glasgow College with prior marketing and communication roles in construction and tourism.

Fiona holds an MSc in Science Communication and Public Engagement from Edinburgh University, a BA in Marketing and Business Law from Strathclyde University; and is a member of both Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR), and Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) holding postgraduate public relation and digital marketing qualifications.

As part of her role, Fiona contributes to a number of national communications groups charged with supporting health innovation across Scotland; and also leads communications for NHS Research Scotland.

David Walker

Communications Officer

David Walker is a seasoned communications professional with 15 years of experience in both public relations and journalism.

Joining in a Communications Officer role in January 2021, David is responsible for planning, coordinating, and delivering a programme of strategic communications activity in support of vital health research and innovation across both NHS Research Scotland and Scottish Health Innovations

Prior to this, he worked at two of Scotland’s biggest PR agencies, developing a wide proficiency primarily based in corporate communications. He has successfully managed integrated campaigns for clients across a range of sectors including healthcare, law, IT/telecoms, aerospace, property & construction, food & drink, education, and SME & entrepreneur while delivering consistently strong results.

He is also a former News Editor of nine years’ experience, having worked across several weekly titles.

David holds a First Class BA Hons in English Literature from the University of Strathclyde and a postgraduate degree in Journalism Studies.

Nancy McLardie

Communications Officer

Nancy is a multi-award-winning communications professional with extensive experience of working in-house in both the public and third sectors, as well as in education and consultancy.

She joined in December 2020, bringing a wealth of relevant experience including as Communications & Events Specialist at Scotland Excel – Scotland’s centre of procurement expertise – and Media & Communications Manager at the £25m National Lottery Community Fund funded Drink Wise, Age Well programme.

Originally a media relations specialist, working, among other things, to attract national and international media to Glasgow during its rise to prominence as a tourism, conference and events destination, she became increasingly adept at integrated communications in roles such as PR & Media Manager at Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park and won a PRCA DARE award for her work in support of Paisley’s bid to become UK City of Culture 2021.

Nancy is responsible for planning, coordinating and delivering a programme of strategic communications activity to support both SHIL and NRS, with a particular focus on stakeholder engagement, media relations and conferences & events.

Simon Cree

Communications Officer - Web and Digital

Simon Cree holds a 2:1 BSc (Hons) degree in English Literature from the University of Strathclyde. His background is in publishing, where he worked for an independent press based in Glasgow before joining the Scottish Government on a contracted basis, as part of the team tasked with developing the new gov.scot corporate website. Simon joined Scottish Health Innovations as Communications Officer in October 2016, specialising to Communications Officer - Web and Digital in March 2020.

Jane Gray

Communications Assistant

Jane graduated from Robert Gordon University with a BA Honours degree in Public Relations and has experience working for a PR agency and in marketing. Jane joined Scottish Health Innovations in October 2019 as Communications Assistant and now works across the NRS and SHIL portfolio.

Eva Gnatiuk

Graphic Designer

Eva holds a first Hons degree in Digital Media from Edinburgh Napier University. Their background is in printmaking, photography and graphic design. They worked for the Humanist Society Scotland, Plan Vivo Foundation and Culture Republic before joining SHIL in Dec 2017 and continues to work as a freelancer in multi-media [content creation] for the arts sector.

Susan Burgess

Head of Finance

Susan Burgess holds a 2:1 BAcc Hons Accounting degree from the University of the West of Scotland and is a part qualified CIMA accountant with several years’ experience working in finance. Susan joined SHIL in June 2015 and as Head of Finance coordinates all aspects of the accounts function.

Lyndsey Wilson

Head of HR and Administrative Services

Lyndsey Wilson graduated from Strathclyde University in 2005 with a BA Degree in Hotel and Hospitality Management, going on to work in hotel revenue for 10 years before moving to the Third Sector in accounting and communication roles.

Lyndsey joined SHIL in 2017 as Office Manager and oversees the day to day running of all office functions alongside IT, HR and Health and Safety requirements.

Gillian Henderson

Head of Project Management

Gillian Henderson is a graduate in Applied Chemistry from the University of Strathclyde and has over 15 years’ experience in Medical Device development, sales and marketing. She has worked with SHIL for 5 years, and prior to this was involved in a number of Scottish SMEs and medical device start-ups.

Marianne Murphy (Maternity Leave)

Project Manager

Marianne Murphy is a graduate of The University of Strathclyde, armed with an Honours degree in Immunology and Pharmacology. After taking a gap year to travel, Marianne joined SHIL in 2014 as a Graduate Project Manager. 

Having completed project management training, Marianne is enjoying the challenge of working on a number of diverse projects and seeing how these innovations could make a real difference to patient care.

Elaine Gemmell

Head of Strategic Development

Elaine Gemmell joined SHIL in 2002 and helped establish the organisation. With more than fifteen years’ experience in medical device development, she is a certified ISO 13485 /ISO 9001 Lead Auditor and has experience of regulatory approval and CE marking for medical devices.

Joining SHIL spinout company, Clear Surgical, as a Director, Head of Regulatory Compliance and laterally Chief Operating Officer, she has helped to establish the company with ISO 13485 accreditation and launch two innovative devices, The Oplight™ and Cannulated Forceps, onto the market. With a BSc, BEng in Engineering, Elaine previously worked with Motorola Semiconductors for twenty years, gaining experience in manufacturing, design and technical marketing.