Confirmed speakers

Patient Engagement Solutions & Innovations World Congress 2026 Europe

Transforming Care Through Technology, Empathy, and Collaboration

London, United Kingdom

Thursday 26th - Friday 27th March 2026

KEY INDUSTRY EXPERT SPEAKERS 2026

Clara Bentham, Head of Corporate Affairs UK and Ireland, Sanofi
May Rezai, Chief Operations Officer, MirZyme Therapeutics
Lara Bloom, President and CEO, The Ehlers-Danlos Society
Victoria Hayes, Director Public Affairs, Northern Cluster, Kyowa Kirin
John Rayner, Senior Director, EMEA Region, HIMSS
Rasmus Hjorth, Patient Engagement Director, James Lind Care
Emma Sutcliffe, Founder, Chief Patient Officer, ISPEP
Dr Lydia E Makaroff, Chief Executive, Multiple Sclerosis International Federation
Carole Scrafton, Director & Co-Founder, Flutters and Strutters
Alexandra Charge, CEO, ISPEP
Keith Berelowitz, Founder/CEO, pRxEngage Inc
Steve Clark, Founder and Patient Advocate, Strive for Five
Miriam Dervan, Founder & CEO, mdgroup
Richard Stephens, Chair, CRAF-UK (Cancer Research Advocates Forum)
Dani Motchi, CEO, IAPO (International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations)
David Gillen, Chief Medical Officer, Norgine
Dr Hend Abdelhakim, Assistant Professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Healthcare Innovation, GBSH, UCL Faculty of Population Health Sciences
Dr Helen Bulbeck, Director of Services & Policy, brainstrust
Harriet Lewis, Senior Director, Public Affairs & Communications, Chiesi UK*
Marie Pullen, Senior Clinical Operations, GCTO, MSD
Gillian Thwaites, Senior Clinical Research Manager, MSD
Nikul Bakshi, Research Involvement Lead, Parkinson's UK
Derick Mitchell, Executive Director, PFMD
Hannah Humphrey, Lived Experience Expert, Independent Patient Advocate
Dr Lisa Kerr, Head of Patient Engagement, Evinova
Nicholas Brooke, Founder and Executive Director, The Synergist
Vesela Aleksandrova, Clinical Operations Director, Shinogi B.V.
.Clark French, Founder, United Patients Alliance (UPA)
And much much more...

Marlene Vincent

Global Patient Advocacy Leader

Intercept Pharma

Marlene Vincent

Global Patient Advocacy Leader

Marlene Vincent is a global patient advocacy leader with over 13 years of experience in rare and genetic diseases, working at the intersection of clinical development, regulatory engagement, and health policy. She has built and led global advocacy strategies across the United States and Europe, ensuring that patient insights are meaningfully integrated into decision-making processes across the healthcare ecosystem. Throughout her career at organizations such as Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Moderna, and bluebird bio, Marlene has partnered closely with patient communities, regulators, and cross-functional teams to shape clinical programs, support regulatory interactions, and advance policy initiatives. Her work includes enabling patient participation in FDA and EMA advisory processes and contributing to broader efforts that improve access, awareness, and patient outcomes. Marlene is particularly passionate about elevating the role of patient advocacy as a strategic function within organizations, bridging the gap between patient experience and innovation in rare disease. She brings a global perspective, strong external partnerships, and a deep commitment to ensuring that the patient voice drives meaningful impact

Clara Bentham

Head of Corporate Affairs UK and Ireland

Sanofi

Clara Bentham

Head of Corporate Affairs UK and Ireland

I am a Corporate Affairs Executive with 20+ years’ experience in the Life Sciences sector shaping policy change as a lever for strategic growth, enhancing corporate reputation to support business goals, influencing through storytelling, delivering transformation to drive business performance, and ensuring that the patient voice is at the centre of everything we do. I currently lead Sanofi UK & Ireland's Corporate Affairs Function, where my team and I work to ensure innovative treatments reach the patients who need them most.

May Rezai

Chief Operations Officer

MirZyme Therapeutics

May Rezai

Chief Operations Officer

Dr H May Rezai is Chief Operating Officer of MirZyme Therapeutics, a UK-based biopharmaceutical company developing an end-to-end solution for preeclampsia through precision diagnostics and targeted therapeutics. She is working on the development of M-PREG®, a UKCA-approved digital diagnostic that uses routine maternal blood biomarkers and algorithmic interpretation for instant risk classification, as well as the advancement of MZe786, a hydrogen sulphide–releasing small molecule designed to restore vascular health in preeclampsia.

David Gillen

Chief Medical Officer

Norgine

David Gillen

Chief Medical Officer

LARA BLOOM

President and CEO

The Ehlers-Danlos Society

LARA BLOOM

President and CEO

Coming Soon

Miriam Dervan

Founder & CEO

mdgroup

Miriam Dervan

Founder & CEO

Miriam is the Founder and CEO of mdgroup, a global patient health services business supporting clinical trials through highly personalised, patient care-led solutions. Since founding the company in 2002, she has remained committed to putting patients at the centre of clinical research. With deep industry expertise, Miriam leads mdgroup with a strong focus on empathy, quality, and human connection, ensuring patient needs guide every decision and drive better trial experiences and outcomes. Beyond mdgroup, Miriam is a passionate advocate for women-led enterprise and collaboration. As former Chair of Women in Business for the European Council of WEConnect Europe, she openly shares her journey from school-leaver to founder to inspire the next generation of leaders.

Dr Lydia E Makaroff

Chief Executive

Multiple Sclerosis International Federation

Dr Lydia E Makaroff

Chief Executive

Melanie Costin

Director, Patient Engagement & Support

Fight Bladder Cancer

Melanie Costin

Director, Patient Engagement & Support

Melanie Costin is Director of Patient Engagement & Support at Fight Bladder Cancer. She leads the charity’s core support services, including the national online forum, Bladder Buddy peer-support programme, co-created patient information resources, and advocacy linked to NICE treatment decisions. Drawing on her experience as a patient and carer, she focuses on making clinical information accessible and supporting people through complex care pathways. She regularly speaks at national and international meetings and urology events and is a patient expert within the European Association of Urology.

Hilary Nathan

Director of Policy & Communications

Breakthrough T1D

Hilary Nathan

Director of Policy & Communications

John Rayner

Senior Director, EMEA Region

HIMSS

John Rayner

Senior Director, EMEA Region

John Rayner is Senior Director at HIMSS, where he leads Analytical Services across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. With more than 45 years of experience in healthcare and health IT, John brings a unique perspective that bridges clinical practice, operational leadership and digital transformation. He began his career in the English National Health Service (NHS) in 1979, qualifying as a Registered General Nurse before moving into leadership roles spanning acute hospital management, regional health strategy and large-scale shared services. John served as CIO for an acute Hospital Trust in the North of England and as Managing Director of The Health Informatics Service, one of the NHS’s most successful IM&T shared service organisations. Since joining HIMSS, John has become a trusted advisor to health ministries and hospital executives in more than 25 countries. His work centres on helping health systems measure, benchmark and accelerate digital maturity, using the HIMSS Maturity Models as a framework for transformation, assurance and strategic planning.

Emma Sutcliffe

Founder - Chief Patient Officer

ISPEP

Emma Sutcliffe

Founder - Chief Patient Officer

Biopharma, where she leads a dedicated team of Global Patient Directors and is responsible for continuously improving and inspiring excellence in patient engagement practices across the entire organization including a patient champion network of 180 colleagues working with almost 300 patient organizations. As a Medical Biochemist and Psychotherapist, Emma has dedicated her career to amplifying the patient voice in the research and development of medicines and creating patient solutions; accordingly, Emma is one of the most frequently published and awarded leaders in the sector.

Alexandra Charge

Chief Executive Officer

ISPEP

Alexandra Charge

Chief Executive Officer

Olivia Kersey

Sibling Carer

Expert on Equity and learning Disabilities

Olivia Kersey

Sibling Carer

Olivia is a Patient Affairs specialist and advocate driving meaningful improvements to clinical trials, health(care) research, and patient outcomes. Combining a sharp strategic focus with lived experience as a Sibling Carer and expertise in medical science, patient-focused drug development, and patient/lay communication, Olivia is ideally positioned to advance research and care towards a more impactful and humanised future.

Richard Stephens

Patient, Chai

CRAF-UK (Cancer Research Advocates Forum)

Richard Stephens

Patient, Chai

Richard has so far survived two cancers and a heart emergency plus sundry late effects and co-morbidities. He has participated in four interventional studies and twelve others. His professional life has included careers in education, journalism, and local government, and he now works with industry, academics and patients around the world. He is a Visiting Lecturer in PPI at KCL, a Eupati Fellow, a Facultymember of CReDO and Eureka, and the founding co-Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Research Involvement and Engagement. Richard was the patient co-author of England’s 2015-20 Cancer Strategy and is a CONCORD-Lancet Global Commissioner on Cancer. He Chairs the UK’s Cancer Research Advocates Forum and use MY data. He is a member of the European Society of Cardiology Patient Forum and the European Taskforce on eConsent, the former Chair of the Stakeholder Forum at BBMRI-ERIC and current Vice-Chair of the European CanSERV project. Richard has been a patient partner with EORTC, CRUK, Rising Tide and NIHR, and with industry. Since 1995 he has helped design and deliver over 70 individual research studies and programmes and has co-authored over thirty published papers. He would like to spend more time on beaches reading history books.

Dani Motchi

CEO

IAPO (International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations)

Dani Motchi

CEO

DrHend Abdelhakim

Assistant Professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Healthcare Innovation, GBSH

UCL Faculty of Population Health Sciences

DrHend Abdelhakim

Assistant Professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Healthcare Innovation, GBSH

Dr Hend Abdelhakim is an Assistant Professor in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Healthcare Innovation at the UCL Global Business School for Health and Co-Founder of Gustoceutics™, a specialist consultancy focused on medicine acceptability and taste assessment. Her work centres on designing medicines that children can – and want to – take, integrating taste science, age-appropriate formulation design and real-world adherence. Hend’s research began at the UCL School of Pharmacy, where her PhD focused on biosensor-based approaches to quantify bitterness and improve the palatability of paediatric medicines. She has since worked across academia, clinical trials and industry-facing consultancy, using tools such as the TS-5000Z electronic tongue to generate robust taste data that support formulation optimisation, Paediatric Investigation Plans (PIPs) and regulatory decision-making. At UCL, she leads the flagship MSc Research Project module across three postgraduate programmes and supervises a growing team of doctoral and postgraduate researchers. She also serves as Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Lead for her School and is a member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Science and Research Committee. Across her roles, Hend is committed to advancing patient-centred pharmaceutical innovation and closing the gaps between formulation design, patient experience and long-term treatment adherence in everyday life.

Senior Representative

Coming Soon

Patient Representative

Senior Representative

Coming Soon

Harriet Lewis

Senior Director, Public Affairs & Communications

Chiesi UK*

Harriet Lewis

Senior Director, Public Affairs & Communications

Keith Berelowitz

Founder/CEO

pRxEngage Inc.

Keith Berelowitz

Founder/CEO

Keith Berelowitz founded pRxEngage to genuinely engage patients in clinical trials. With over two decades of experience in clinical research, patient engagement, and health technology, Keith understands that patients are vital partners, not just participants. At pRxEngage, we use smart technology and fresh thinking to make it easier for patients to connect with and stay involved in clinical trials. Our focus is on building strong, lasting connections with patients from the outset, ensuring their continued participation. This consistent engagement is key to successful research. Keith’s broad experience includes leading operations and commercial strategy at a UK leading full-service CRO, where his focus on patient connection helped achieve top enrolment. As Chair of the Fulham Research Ethics Committee, he gains a different, equally important, perspective, which helps him create practical, innovative solutions for trials and the people in them. His work with pRxEngage is all about delivering effective, cost-efficient, and ethical research by truly understanding what patients need through direct and ongoing connection.

Dr Helen Bulbeck

Director of Services & Policy

brainstrust

Dr Helen Bulbeck

Director of Services & Policy

Vesela Aleksandrova

Senior Director, Clinical Operations, Patient Engagement

Shinogi B.V.

Vesela Aleksandrova

Senior Director, Clinical Operations, Patient Engagement

Vesela is a Sr. Director with 20+ years of experience in clinical operations, strategy, innovation and patient engagement. Passionate about therapies that focus on unmet patient needs. Currently responsible about clinical oversight, patient engagement, vendor management and innovation. One of her key focus areas at the moment is how to develop a patient engagement framework across different teams and especially in the rare disease therapy areas. Vesela is also a TransCelerate Program lead.

Marie Pullen

Associate Director, Clinical Operations

MSD (UK)

Marie Pullen

Associate Director, Clinical Operations

Marie is a Senior Clinical Operations Manager with over 20 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical and clinical research industry across a range of roles. Currently responsible for setting up clinical trials in the UK, with additional responsibility for informed consent processes. Marie is also the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) lead within clinical trials. Marie co-led the development of a multimedia informed consent tool for a prostate cancer clinical trial, navigating complex regulatory, technical, and cultural barriers. Marie is passionate about collaboration across sponsors, sites, and patient groups to embed health literacy and diversity into routine practice, ensuring trials are more inclusive and patient friendly.

Gillian Thwaites

Associate Director, Clinical Operations

MSD (UK)

Gillian Thwaites

Associate Director, Clinical Operations

Gillian is a Senior Clinical Research Manager with oversight of clinical trial operations in the UK. Passionate about making research accessible, Gillian co-led the development of an informed consent animation for a prostate cancer clinical trial with Marie Pullen, which is a leading example of efforts to simplify consent and support diversity and inclusivity in clinical research. With extensive experience in global study delivery and site enablement, Gillian advocates for scalable solutions that empower patients to make informed decisions.

Marta Lago

Programme Co-lead, Healthcare Systems Transformation

The Care Lab

Marta Lago

Programme Co-lead, Healthcare Systems Transformation

Marta is a service designer and innovation leader with over a decade of international experience in health and care. Through roles spanning biotech, digital health, and service innovation, she has led the design and implementation of healthcare strategies, solutions, and services that improve health outcomes, enhance care experiences, and help transform healthcare ecosystems. At The Care Lab, a platform of care activists using care-centered design to rethink models of care, Marta focuses on System Transformation Programs and currently co-leads a mission-driven initiative to transform cancer support in the Basque Country, Spain. Marta is passionate about building bridges across disciplines, organizations, and approaches, and enabling people’s participation to make care systems more humane and equitable. Marta holds a Master of Engineering from University of the Basque Country and a Master of Arts from the Royal College of Art in London. She teaches Care Centered Design and Care System Transformation at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts in Switzerland. linkedin.com/in/martalago

Claudio Sperandio

Executive Director, Development Strategy and Integration

Alexion

Claudio Sperandio

Executive Director, Development Strategy and Integration

Claudio Sperandio is a biopharmaceutical executive focused on organizational effectiveness, productivity, and global transformation. At Alexion, AstraZeneca’s rare disease unit, he works across international teams to drive initiatives that improve innovation and productivity in drug development. Drawing on experiences across both sponsor organizations and the contract research environment, his work focuses on fostering collaboration across healthcare ecosystems and patient‑centric approaches, combining technology and partnerships to translate scientific advancements into better outcomes for people with rare diseases.

Nikul Bakshi

Research Involvement Lead

Parkinson's UK

Nikul Bakshi

Research Involvement Lead

Nikul joined Parkinson’s UK in February 2022, where he leads the Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) programme, with a particular focus on integrating the patient perspective into research led by the commercial sector. He collaborates on various international research projects with both academic and commercial organizations, ensuring that the voices of individuals affected by Parkinson’s are heard and actively shape these initiatives. Beyond his work in PPI, Nikul also contributes to advancing the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) agenda in research by collaborating with external programmes that aim to address underrepresentation in clinical trials.

Rasmus Hjorth

Head of Communication

James Lind Care

Rasmus Hjorth

Head of Communication

Rasmus Hjorth has several years of experience working with engaging patients in clinical research as Head of Communication in the patient recruitment company, James Lind Care. His work experience centers around how to engage patients in clinical trials which includes working with developing services and communication that increases the awareness and interest about clinical research among patients. He also has years of experience developing advertisement- and information material for recruiting patients to clinical trials, resulting in engaging thousands of patients in several clinical trials. Rasmus holds a Masters degree in communication and besides his job as Head of Communication in James Lind Care he is also a member of the board in the Danish Lung Patient Association.

Dr. Angelika Grechnaya

Psychological & Behavioural Science Lead

pRxEngage

Dr. Angelika Grechnaya

Psychological & Behavioural Science Lead

Dr. Angelika Grechnaya is a Counselling Psychologist who specialises in integrative psychological approaches to help individuals navigate emotional challenges and life transitions. She joined pRxTrialPort driven by a strong interest in the intersection of mental health, innovation, and technology. At pRxTrialPort, Dr. Grechnaya leads Psychology & Behavioural Insights, applying behavioural science to make clinical trial decisions clearer and more intuitive for patients. Her work focuses on reducing cognitive overload, building trust, and designing experiences that feel genuinely supportive and empowering.

Hannah Humphrey

Lived Experience Expert

Independent Patient Advocate

Hannah Humphrey

Lived Experience Expert

I am a passionate advocate for people living with rare conditions and a mother to a 13-year-old with 22q11 Deletion Syndrome and TANGO2. My family’s journey through complex diagnoses, hospital stays, and everyday challenges drives my commitment to putting lived experience at the centre of rare disease work. I use my perspective as a parent and advocate to ensure rare disease patients are front and centre in research, policy, and care. I am a member of the Participant Panel and Ethics Committee at Genomics England, a Lived Experience Expert with Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity, part of the Patient Advisors for Genomics Education (PAGE) group, and a member of Beacon’s Patient Group Engagement Committee. I also volunteer with TANGO2 UK, where I recently organised the charity’s first weekend away for families to connect, share, and support one another. In addition, I actively contribute to rare disease research by providing patient and family insights that help shape study design, priorities, and outcomes. As an experienced speaker, I have presented at the NHS Genomics Summit in London, the Genomics England Research Summit, and Rare Disease Day events, sharing insights from my personal journey and advocacy work. I am passionate about highlighting the critical role of patients and families as partners—not afterthoughts—in shaping care, research, and policy.

Joanne Kelly

Clinical Manager

mdgroup

Joanne Kelly

Clinical Manager

Joanne Kelly is a Clinical Manager and Registered Nurse at mdgroup and expert member of an HRA research ethics committee. She supports teams delivering patient centred clinical services for decentralised trials. Before joining mdgroup Joanne has worked in the NHS, developing a deep understanding of patient needs, and the realities sites face running studies in hospital settings. That experience now shapes how she partners with sponsors, CROs, and clinical teams to design flexible, pragmatic solutions that genuinely work for both patients and sites. Joanne is known for her pragmatic style and her eye for detail, and her passion for improving the patient experience in every study she touches

Anny Goldman

Global Digital Patient Services Lead

Takeda, Lecturer, Ben-Gurion University

Anny Goldman

Global Digital Patient Services Lead

She specializes in unlocking the ‘Black Box’ of patient behavior, bridging the critical gap between clinical protocols and human reality. With over 15 years of experience in designing Patient Support Programs (PSPs), she leads the architecture of engagement strategies across the full spectrum—from high-touch human interventions to scalable digital and hybrid support models. In parallel to her global role, she serves as a Lecturer at Ben-Gurion University’s MSc program in Clinical Pharmacy, where she developed and leads the specialist course on "Medication Adherence and Persistence." Driven by a vision to evolve healthcare from "product-centric" to "behavior-centric" models, Anny combines deep industry know-how with behavioral science to ensure therapy success is measured by the patient's actual journey.

Louise Spencer

Senior Clinical Manager

mdgroup

Louise Spencer

Senior Clinical Manager

Louise Spencer is a Senior Clinical Manager and Paediatric Nurse at mdgroup, where she leads the delivery of high-quality, patient-focused clinical services across global decentralised and hybrid trials. She brings an extensive clinical foundation, starting her career as a Children’s PICU nurse and later working as a research nurse. More than ten years ago, she moved from the NHS into decentralised clinical trial operations, where she has since built significant operational expertise and a strong commitment to patient advocacy. Louise specialises in designing and executing solutions that are operationally robust, inclusive, and grounded in real patient needs. Known for her calm leadership and strategic approach, she works closely with sponsors, CROs, and sites to optimise study delivery and enhance the participant experience. Louise is particularly passionate about improving accessibility in research and championing the involvement of underrepresented communities, ensuring every study is conducted with empathy, clarity, and excellence.

Clark French

Founder

United Patients Alliance (UPA)

Clark French

Founder

Clark French is the founder of United Patients Alliance (UPA), the UK’s leading independent medical cannabis patient advocacy organisation. A long-term patient himself, Clark established UPA to ensure patient voices are central to policy, safety, and access discussions. He is a respected campaigner, speaker, and connector across healthcare, industry, and government, known for championing evidence, integrity, and patient-led change.

Derick Mitchell

Executive Director

PFMD (Patient Focused Medicines Development)

Derick Mitchell

Executive Director

Derick is Executive Director of PFMD (Patient Focused Medicines Development)– a global collaborative and non-competitive coalition to improve global health by co-designing the future of healthcare for patients WITH patients. Derick’s background combines patient advocacy, translational research and multi-stakeholder collaboration at the National, EU- and Global levels. He spent a decade (2015-2024) as the Chief Executive of IPPOSI – the Irish Platform for Patients’ Organisations, Science and Industry where he spearheaded a number of collaborative partnerships between patients, government, industry and academic science aimed at putting patients at the heart of health policy and innovation. He is also a former board member of the European Patients Academy (EUPATI) Foundation, a global initiative which is training patients to become involved in the medicines R&D process. Derick is an Adjunct Professor in Clinical Research at Trinity College Dublin and holds a PhD in Molecular Medicine from University College Dublin.

Lisa Kerr

Head of Patient Engagement

Evinova

Lisa Kerr

Head of Patient Engagement

Dr Lisa Kerr is a recognised Patient Engagement Transformation Leader and currently Head of Patient Engagement at Evinova, where she leads enterprise‑wide patient engagement strategy across recruitment services and digital health products. She works at the intersection of patient voice, trial accessibility and innovation, ensuring lived experience, inclusion and diversity are embedded into how services and solutions are designed, delivered and scaled to improve recruitment, retention and equity. With senior leadership experience across Evinova and AstraZeneca, Lisa has driven large‑scale transformation in patient centricity, digital health and emerging AI‑enabled approaches within clinical research. She is a passionate advocate for mental health and inclusive engagement, and is known for translating strategy into practical, human‑centred models that build trust, reduce barriers to participation and deliver meaningful impact for patients. Lisa is a compelling speaker on how patient engagement, digital health and AI can be responsibly combined to improve outcomes for patients and research.

Nicholas Brooke

Founder and Executive Director

The Synergist

Nicholas Brooke

Founder and Executive Director

Nicholas Brooke is the founder of The Synergist. For more than a decade, he has been the driving force behind its mission to build the conditions for collective action, shaping pioneering initiatives in patient engagement, precision medicine, investor engagement, women’s health, clinical trial data network, and the Patient Engagement Professionals Society. He served as the founding Executive Director of Patient Focused Medicines Development (PFMD) from 2015 to 2025, establishing it as the global reference point for patient engagement. An economist by training, Nicholas brings together strategic insight, digital innovation, and coalition-building, making him a leading architect of multi-stakeholder collaboration in global health. Through The Synergist, he continues to guide a portfolio of high-impact programmes, ensuring they deliver systemic and sustainable change.

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