ICR 2026 Speakers
This year’s Institute of Clinical Research conference brings together an exceptional line-up of speakers from across the clinical research community.
Explore our confirmed speakers below, and keep an eye on this page as we announce additional key speakers in the lead-up to the conference.
Rebecca Stanbrook
Managing Director, RESaltas GMbH
"I am delighted to be presenting at the ICR Conference on ICH E6(R3), in particular Annex 2 and the impact for clinical research associates."
Alistair Macdonald
CEO, Worldwide Clinical trials
“The future of clinical research is all about bringing sharper insight, smarter technology, and deeper scientific understanding to increasingly complex trials. As therapies become more advanced and patient populations more targeted, our industry has a real opportunity to rethink how we design, run, and support studies. What gives me hope is the way people across this field—scientists, investigators, researchers, and partners—are pushing for greater transparency, agility, and collaboration. If we keep listening, keep learning, and keep raising the bar, we can accelerate development in a way that truly changes lives.”
Kingyin Lee
Head of Clinical Trials at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
Dr. Lee previously worked as a Clinical Research Physician at Simbec-Orion and as a Plastic Surgery Physician within the UK NHS. He brings wide experience across clinical research, surgery and regulatory science. Dr. Lee holds a Certificate in Pharmaceutical Medicine from the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine, a PhD in Developmental Biology an MBBS and an BEng in Biochemical Engineering from UCL.
Paul Agapow
CSO, Bayezian
Originally an immunologist, early on Dr. Agapow was drawn into the intersection of the biomedical and computational sciences, bridging the knowledge and cultures of the two. Following stints in academia, frontline epidemiology and big pharma, he is now working on the pragmatic application of AI to advance biotech and drug development.
Keith Berelowitz
Founder & CEO of PRX Engage Inc.
“Clinical trials will only become more effective when we design around real people, real lives, and real-world complexity. My focus is on how we move beyond surface-level engagement and start building systems that genuinely support understanding, trust, and informed choice.”
Mark Grumbridge
Head of Clinical Investigation, Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
"Through robust metrics, targeted guidance, and dedicated support, the MHRA Clinical Investigations team is driving consistency and quality across all studies, while supporting new and emerging areas of med tech such as to advance innovation in clinical research"
Liam Eves
Founder of Renable
Kieran McKeever
Director of Aoire Ltd
"Keeping Quality Simple is my guiding principle. Computer system validation is fundamentally about ensuring systems do what they are required to do and are fit for purpose. Let's ensure we take a risk-based approach and don't make the validation process more complex than it needs to be."
Martin Gouldstone
Chair, ValiRx Plc and NCIMB Ltd
"Massively looking forward to discussing the future of Clinical Research with my esteemed panel, covering topics across Regulatory, operational delivery and the impact of AI and technology on clinical trials in the future"
Simon Denegri
Chair, UKCRC CTU Network and Sense About Science
“We would not be where we are today in UK clinical research without patients, carers and the public — as research participants, partners in design, and advocates with government and regulators. The challenge now is not whether public involvement matters, but how we learn from what we have achieved so far to strengthen this partnership, so it accelerates discovery and does not constrain it, in the interests of research and society.”
Sheuli Porkess
Director, PM Life Sciences Consulting
Dr Sheuli Porkess is a Life Sciences leader and is working with Ethos on AI Literacy within Pharma. Sheuli is a UK-registered physician; focused on meaningful development and commercialisation of medicines and digital technologies. Sheuli’s experience spans clinical development, medical affairs and policy. Her work influences national and international policy, with contributions to areas including ethics, regulation and digital health & AI. Sheuli is a member of the Royal Society of Medicine’s Digital Health Council and has advised the UKRI AI for Multiple Long-Term Conditions Programme and Our Future Health, shaping the ethical and effective use of data in research and care. Sheuli is a Trustee and President at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine and is a Trustee for the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges and holds a number of other advisory roles.
Shaun Hastings
Director of Quality Assurance, PHARMExcel
Shaun Hastings, counts one of his specialities as the establishment and oversight of secure data environments within clinical trial settings. He works closely with Sponsors, CRO partners and investigator sites to ensure rigorous data protection, regulatory adherence, and consistent safeguarding of trial integrity. With a strong record of leading quality‑driven initiatives, Shaun provides guidance on risk‑based data security, inspection readiness, and practical compliance practices, essential to the protection of clinical research data.
Carolyn Maloney
Carolyn Maloney R&I Director of Operations, University Hospital of Leicester NHS Trust
Carolyn Maloney leads large‑scale
research delivery, operational improvement, and cross‑system collaboration. She is a Chartered Manager with an MSc in Leadership & Management, she brings more
than 20 years of NHS experience in transformation, workforce development, and
complex programme leadership .Carolyn is also a leadership coach, known for her
commitment to psychological safety, inclusive leadership, and empowering teams.
She plays an active role in national research networks, contributing to
strategic programmes that strengthen study setup, operational consistency, and
research culture across the UK. Her work blends strategic clarity, compassionate
leadership, and a deep belief in helping people and systems thrive.
Luke Atwill
Acting R&D Quality Lead for Wessex Commercial Research Delivery Centre, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundations Trust
"Research is all about innovation. Innovation has allowed us to now have a digital solution for site files and trial master files. The talk will cover the what, whys and how's that led to us going towards a digital solution and some of the challenges, we faced along the way"
Sharon Allin
Director, Head of Patient R&R, Patient Centricity and Engagement, Biogen
“I’m excited to share more about Our Future
Health with conference attendees, along with Dr Cosima Gretton. Our
Future Health is a once‑in‑a‑generation opportunity to transform how we
understand disease and improve lives. By partnering with patients and the
public—and with crucial support from the UK government, industry sponsors, and
charity partners—we’re building a national resource that will enable earlier
detection, better treatments, more equitable healthcare for all, and faster
clinical trial recruitment.”
Cosima Gretton
Chief Product Officer, Biogen
Dr. Peter Fish
CEO, Mendelian
“Precision medicine can only be scaled through the integration of innovative technology and clinical operations."
- Bianca Mills, Head of Research and Development, RCHT
- Kate Greenwood, HRA
- Kate Jones, Director of Research Delivery, NIHR
Association Management Company and Professional Conference Organiser