The Institute of Clinical Research (The ICR) board is comprised of up to 12 Board Director volunteers from Pharma, Biotech, CRO, Academia, Vendors, who govern the Institute according to the Articles of Memorandum
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
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.
I have 15 years’ experience in clinical development, spanning roles of increasing seniority within sponsor and CRO organisations. With a background in project management, I led phase I-IV trials globally in a variety of therapeutic areas. I am also experienced in outsourcing and vendor management and have built operational teams and oversight processes to meet growing business needs. Most recently, I have spent 5 years within decentralised clinical trials, overseeing delivery of mobile research nursing and patient concierge services. I also led business expansion and regulatory intelligence, driving new business offerings globally and ensuring all activities were compliant and conducted to the highest standards of quality. I am passionate about promoting clinical research and motivated to create a best-in-class clinical trial experience for patients and sites. I strongly believe in patient-centric approaches to clinical trials in order to offer patients a flexible trial model, providing convenience, reducing burden and enhancing their trial experience. I am enthusiastic about industry-wide collaboration, knowledge sharing and training and am looking forward to using my skills and experience to help transform ICR, bringing new offerings to our members and the wider clinical research community.
Peter Davidson holds a BSc in Biochemistry and has worked in Clinical Research for 27y in Business Development including some management positions in the CRO industry. During this time, he has gained experience of Phase I-IV trials including several years working within clinical pharmacology. Peter has also gained some experience of medical device trials. More recently he became very involved with DCT and the use of data and AI in the clinical trial arena.
For many years, after devoting much of my time to Primary Care Research (as a GP for 30 years), I developed a specific interest in the management of chronic pain. I have written several articles regarding pain management, particularly focusing on neuropathic pain, the use of opioids and the organisation of pain services in the community. I spent 5 years on the British Pain Society Executive Group, initially as Secretary to the Council and then as Vice President (Membership). I remain on British Pain Society Council as a representative member for the RCGP. I am the former co-chair of the Chronic Pain Policy Coalition. I have been involved in Clinical Research for over 30 years and 250+ projects. Previously, initiated the Innovex Primary Care Network to drive quality in GP Research, followed by the formation of Profiad with several colleagues. I still take an active role in research being Principal/Chief Investigator on 15 projects. I work as Medical Director in 2 clinical research companies where I specifically have an interest in pain management, Alzheimer’s research, asthma and new models of research. Though principally working in medical & management areas, I have widespread experience in quality, regulatory, data management, training, protocol writing etc
Dr. Graham Wylie has spent the last 35 years working within clinical trials. He founded Medical Research Network in 2006 and was CEO for 16 years. In 2022 he became Executive Chairman. He is responsible for the strategy and corporate finance driving the company. Graham trained as a pharmacologist and physician. He joined Pfizer in 1989 where he stayed for 10 years, learning all about big Pharma R&D. He joined Parexel in 1999 as medical director for Northern Europe, then became VP sales for the core CRO business in Europe. He joined Healthcare at Home IN 2005 as the board member responsible for starting their clinical trials division, then led an MBO of the division in 2006 to create MRN. The company has grown from 2 people to over 220 today with offices in 6 countries including Japan and the USA, able to operate in over 60 countries world wide, delivering 1000 home visits a month, and is able to provide a diverse set of services designed to support running patient centric trial operations. He lives and works with his wife and co owner, Dr. Elaine Wylie, and his 4 kids, Alex, Fraser, Susie and Harriet. None of his grandchildren yet work at MRN.
Karen Roy started her career as a clinical research associate at Chiltern International, joining The ICR Board from 2001 to 2006 when she headed the Clinical Development department in UK, Scandinavia and Central and Eastern Europe. Karen also ran EDC Solutions, a group supporting EDC implementation at Investigator sites. She then moved to Phlexglobal to focus on trial master files at Phlexglobal, including founding the TMF Reference Model. Karen is now consulting and passionate about the UK being one of the best places for Clinical Research and has therefore come full circle to Co-Chair the ICR Board in support of this quest.
Dr Sally-Ann McDowell has worked in Clinical Research for almost 30 years. She has worked for large and mid size CROs in positions ranging from Data Co-ordinator, Biometrics Project Manager, Clinical Project Manager, Director of Project Management, Therapeutic Area Lead and is currently a Senior Clinical Development Strategy Director. She has global experience in many different therapeutic areas, including CNS, Neurology and Oncology. Sally-Ann has been a member of ICR for many years and was involved in the Project Management Special Interest Group and helped organise the ICR PM Forum in 2022. She is currently the Co-Chair of the ICR Board as well as being a STEM Ambassador.
Fiona Wallace, has worked in global CRO and pharma for over 20 years, spanning many countries and Phase I – IV studies such as oncology, ophthalmology, erectile dysfunction and rheumatoid arthritis. She specialises in developing high value retention learning solutions by utilising her breadth of experience in project and CRA management, global clinical regulatory training, inspection readiness management and provision of client solutions to improve staff retention and engagement. Many clinical researchers face the challenge of how to ensure their clinical trials comply with GCP & regulations: Fiona is determined to help them do so with patient safety and data reliability at the forefront.
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.
Dr Jane Bentley Jane has over 35 years Oncology drug development experience in the pharmaceutical industry including Executive Leadership, project and portfolio management in Oncology and haematology drug development. She holds a BSc in Pharmacology, a PhD in Toxicology from University of London and an MBA in International Health Care management. Jane is a currently serving her second term on the ICR board (1998-2004, 2014 to present) and supports the ICR with regard to financial oversight and also in developing our links with other professional organisations involved in clinical research, including links with academia and the NHS to provide a voice for Clinical research in the UK
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.