The Precision Medicine Catapult, the UK's innovation centre for precision medicine, has strengthened its Board with the appointment of four non-executive directors with broad healthcare expertise. Professors Sir John Bell and Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, Dame Julie Moore and Dr Mene Pangalos bring extensive insight from their roles in scientific research, medicine, industry and the NHS. This input will guide the Precision Medicine Catapult's strategic direction as it helps build a world-leading UK precision medicine industry.

Professor Sir John Bell GBE, FRS is Regius Professor of Medicine at Oxford University, and Chairman of the UK's Office for Strategic Coordination of Health Research. Among his achievements, he was responsible for the working party that produced the Academy of Medical Sciences “Strengthening Clinical Research” report highlighting the need for the UK to focus attention on developing expertise in translational research. In 1993, he founded the Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, and works extensively across the public and private sector, with roles at Roche Holdings AG, the Gates Foundation and Genomics England Limited. He was appointed Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire in the 2015 New Year Honours for services to medicine, medical research and the life science industry.

Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz FRS is the 345th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, a post he has held since 2010. Prior to that, Sir Leszek was CEO of the UK Medical Research Council. From 2001 to 2007 he was Principal of the Faculty of Medicine and Deputy Rector of Imperial College London, where he led the development of interdisciplinary research between engineering, physical sciences and biomedicine. Early roles were at the Universities of Wales and Cambridge. Sir Leszek was knighted in 2001 for services to medical research and education, is a founding Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences and a Fellow of the Royal Society.

Dame Julie Moore is Chief Executive of University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB) NHS Foundation Trust, and since October 2015, Interim Chief Executive of Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust. She is a graduate nurse, working in clinical practice before moving into management where she has undertaken a range of clinical and director roles. In recognition of the high quality of clinical care at UHB, Julie has been involved in the turnaround of several underperforming hospital Trusts. She has governance and advisory roles at three local academic institutions and was previously a member of the UK's Office for Strategic Coordination of Health Research. Julie was made a Dame Commander of the British Empire in the New Year’s Honours in 2012.

Dr Menelas (Mene) Pangalos FMedSci is Executive Vice President of AstraZeneca’s Innovative Medicines and Early Development Biotech Unit where he oversees the company’s small molecule discovery research and early development activities. Since joining AstraZeneca in 2010, Mene has led transformation of the company’s commitment to science and is overseeing the creation of AstraZeneca’s new research centre in Cambridge. He completed his BSc in Biochemistry at Imperial College of Science and Technology, and has a PhD in Neurochemistry (Institute of Neurology, London). Mene is a Visiting Professor of Neuroscience at King’s College London, and sits on several academic and public sector bodies including the MRC Council. He is a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences and the Royal Society for Biology.

Professor Richard Barker, Chairman of the Precision Medicine Catapult, said, 'It's a strong validation of the potential of the UK precision medicine industry that we have attracted such high calibre non-executive directors to our Board. Their input and guidance will be invaluable as we make precision medicine, with attendant health and economic benefits, a reality. We welcome Sir John, Sir Leszek, Dame Julie and Mene to the Board and look forward to working with them.'