The NHSA’s member organisations recently elected Professor Graham Lord, of the University of Manchester, as its new chair-elect. The announcement was made last week, Thursday February 22, at the NHSA’s Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Professor Lord is currently the Vice-President and Dean of the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, a position he has held since February 2019. He is also the Executive Director of the Manchester Academic Health Science Centre as part of Health Innovation Manchester.

He will start his new role with the NHSA on June 1, taking over from Professor David Burn, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University who has served as chair of the NHSA board for the past six years.

Professor Graham Lord said: “I am deeply honoured to take on the role of Chair and I am excited to be working with such brilliant colleagues in driving innovation, collaboration, and positive change. I am committed to advancing the mission of NHSA and am keen to contribute to its continued success in establishing the North of England as an internationally recognised health and life sciences research system. We can make a real difference in improved health outcomes, fostering research excellence, and addressing the healthcare challenges facing our communities.”

Professor David Burn said: “I’m delighted that Graham will be succeeding me as Chair of the NHSA Board. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with colleagues in the NHSA over the past six years. With Graham as Chair, I’m sure that the organisation will go from strength to strength in representing and advocating for the collective excellence of life sciences in the North. “

Dr Séamus O’Neill, Chief Executive of the NHSA, said: “We are thrilled that Professor Graham Lord has taken on the role of Chair of the Northern Health Science Alliance. Graham has the track record and professional networks in life sciences that will contribute greatly to the development of the NHSA. His leadership will ensure that our organisation will continue to deliver opportunities for research and innovation in the North as a whole.

“I’d also like to take this opportunity to extend my personal thanks to our outgoing Chair, Professor David Burn. Since he was appointed Chair in 2018, he has provided me and the NHSA team with fantastic support. He has helped us to grow and improve year-on-year, and for that we are extremely grateful.

“As a team we are excited and optimistic about the future of the NHSA and very much looking forward to the new era under Graham’s leadership.”

The Northern Health Science Alliance (NHSA) is a health and life sciences partnership between leading research-intensive NHS trusts and universities in northern England. It brings together the world-leading health research excellence across the region in a North life sciences supercluster.