Scientific Programme Committee

Jo Burmester

Jo Burmester is a very experienced Clinical Research Training Consultant who has provided GCP expertise for more years than she likes to admit to in writing. She works with a wide range of clients and her passion is making GCP interesting and relevant.

Jo is a pharmacology graduate and began her career in clinical research in 1987. She started out as a CRA and then moved into a training role. She was a founding director of PharmaSchool, a specialist clinical research training company, for 14 years, and then in October 2018 she moved on from there to work independently.

She holds a Certificate in Training and Development from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, and was a Module Leader on the Clinical Research MSc programme run at Liverpool John Moore’s University. She is the author of a book on Continuing Professional Development and regularly chairs and presents at international clinical research conferences.

Fiona Shields

Fiona is an experienced Clinical research Professional who has 25+ years of extensive experience in different roles across Clinical Trial Operations. Starting her career as an Oncology Nurse she moved into Clinical Research to support the development of Clinical Trial delivery at the Leicester Royal Infirmary which then became part of the National Cancer Research Network. Moving her career forward she has undertaken a variety of roles, in CROs, Pharma and Medical Device companies concentrating on the building of trial Operation Services.

In her current role, Country Head ( UK), Study and Site Operations, within Novartis Fiona is accountable for all country clinical operations and has a responsibility to drive the strategic direction of the study and site operations department. She manages a team of accomplished leaders to increase the contribution that Novartis can make within the Clinical Trial landscape.

Throughout her career Fiona has always had a passion for people leadership and applies this in her management and leadership style.

Mikayla King

I am the R&D Governance, Quality Assurance and Sponsorship Manager from University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust. I head the Quality Assurance and Sponsorship teams and act as a point of referral for research governance issues. I am also an external examiner for the University of Kent and serve on a number of national committees, including non-commercial sponsorship, and am a trainer for GCP, informed consent and GDPR as well as developing training relating to different aspects of research delivery and sponsorship.

I have been working in the NHS for 13 years and during that time I have gained a wealth of experience in all aspects of research and led on different types of inspection including MHRA and FDA as well as HSA and am an accredited biosafety officer.

Prior to my time in the NHS I was a bench scientist, working as a post-doctoral researcher running a research laboratory specialising in cell biology and neuroscience.

Jane Twitchen

Jane Twitchen graduated with a BSc in Medical Physics from the University of Exeter, UK and commenced her career with Covance, supporting a number of trials investigating radioisotope image optimisation. Having developed a keen interest in processes and systems, she then joined SAS, where she worked in the Alliances team collaborating with partners such as PWC, McKinsey and Accenture to define and implement solutions for pharmaceutical clients. During her tenure with SAS, Jane was also sponsored to complete her MBA. She proceeded to a number of software and service providers prior to joining Biogen in 2013, initially joining the Global Regulatory Affairs Quality and Operations team and moving to Global Clinical Operations in 2015. In her current role, Jane is Executive Director, Head of Biogen’s Clinical Trial Accelerator Unit and is responsible for delivery of Biogen’s goals for accelerated study start-up cycle time, in addition to embedding innovative operational delivery through the use of technology.

Simon Lee

Simon joined Quotient Sciences in May 2002 and has over 40 years’ experience in healthcare, drug delivery, and pharmaceutical services, with expertise in all phases of clinical development, operations, regulatory affairs, quality, and general management. As Chief Compliance Officer he has global responsibility for Quality Assurance, Regulatory, Legal and Insurance for the UK and USA sites. Simon has extensive interactions with the UK and EU regulatory bodies and is a member of several industry groups representing Quotient Sciences and the Phase 1 sector. Simon has been the Secretary on the Executive Board of the European CRO Federation since 2016.

Tim Hardman

Dr Tim Hardman is Founder and Managing Director of Niche Science & Technology Ltd., a UK CRO he established in 1998. With over 25 years’ clinical research experience, he has grown Niche into a trusted partner for early-phase drug development. He chairs the Association of Human Pharmacology in the Pharmaceutical Industry (AHPPI) and formerly served as President of EUFEMED, promoting best practice and collaboration in exploratory medicines development. A recognised commentator on regulatory change and AI in clinical research, Tim also contributes to PCMG and holds an honorary fellowship at St George’s Medical School, reflecting his commitment to innovation and leadership.

Helen Buck

Helen Buck is an experienced clinical research professional with 30 years’ experience in the industry and has been freelance for 20 years. With a background in academic research and a PhD in Neuroscience she has been fortunate to experience a wide range of roles and therapy areas in the industry. As a member of the Institute of Clinical Research (ICR) she recently handed over the joint chair of the steering committee for the ICR Ethics and GCP forum. She is currently working for her own consulting company (ClinPsy Limited).

Graham Belgrave

Graham Belgrave is an experienced clinical research professional with over 40 years’ experience in the clinical research industry, including clinical development, operations as well as outsourcing and contracting.

He is a Chartered Scientist, Companion of the Chartered Management Institute, Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine, Executive Coach and Mentor and member of the IBMS.

He has worked in large pharma, biotech and CRO spanning a variety of leadership, operational and commercial roles, across a wide range of therapeutic areas. Graham has been a member and true supporter of ICR for many years and has recently joined the board in March 2025 to help drive the re-establishment of ICR as the foremost UK organisation for clinical researchers.

Sarah Fryer

Sarah Fryer has worked in clinical development for more than 30 years, with the last 20 years focusing on clinical QA. The majority of her career has been spent working in contract research and consultancy roles, including being co-founder of Gregory Fryer Associates and founder of QRC Consultants. She is now working as an independent GCP QA consultant as Director of Green End Barns Consulting Ltd. Her particular interest is the importance of quality in clinical research and as both a long term member of ICR and also a Fellow of RQA wants to bring this interest to the revitalisation of ICR.

Christine McGrath

Christine is a highly experienced senior leader in clinical research. Starting her career as a research nurse, Christine is now Managing Director of Wessex Health Partners, a regional Academic Health Science Partnership of NHS organisations, Universities and Health Innovation Wessex.Christine has held a number of national leadership positions and is dedicated to working collaboratively to ensure the UK has a thriving research and innovation ecosystem. A previous Director, Christine, returns to the board with a tight focus on helping the ICR fulfil its strategic aims.

Tina Barton

Dr Tina Barton is an experienced drug development specialist with a broad knowledge within health care. She has held Senior Management operational roles in large global through mid-size to small emerging drug development organisations, providing leadership in trial delivery, managing teams and training for the future. As a past Chair of The ICR and Board Member (2000 – 2007) Tina’s commitment to The ICR led to her re-joining the Board in 2021. With her continued passion for sharing knowledge, raising standards and developing professionals, she develops and leads The ICR training initiatives.