Health and life science sector specialist, Dr Mandy Dixon, has joined the Northern Health Science Alliance (NHSA) as head of corporate engagement.
The NHSA is an alliance of the leading research universities, NHS teaching trusts and Academic Health Science Networks across the North of England. It is a driver for investment into the sector, brings together research collaborations and is an advocate for the North’s health system in Government.
Mandy has worked within the health and life sciences sector for over 25 years, with a career spanning both the NHS and higher education.
She joined the NHSA from Lancaster University where she was assistant director at the Health Innovation Campus. In this position, she played a leading role in the development of strategic partnerships between the University and NHS organisations.
She also has a wealth of experience engaging with the commercial health sector to develop successful collaborations, including the coordination of the successful £1.7 million funding application to NHS England for one of seven national Test Beds.
Mandy joins the NHSA team at a time when the organisation is evolving under the new chief executive, Dr Séamus O’Neill. It also follows the recent announcement of a £4.5 m initiative in collaboration with MedCity, funded by Research England, to elevate the UK’s life sciences sector and boost the economy.
Mandy will play a crucial role in helping to realise the NHSA’s vision to improve national and international visibility of the globally important assets and capabilities within the health and life science sector across the North of England.
She said: “I have respected the work of the NHSA for many years, having worked for one of its member organisations for the last seven years. I’m thrilled to now be a part of this team and to have the opportunity to improve health and generate wealth at scale across the North of England.
“I’m looking forward to getting to know our members, their individual strengths and exploring new ways of working together in this new era of corporate engagement and what that means for them. At a time when the health, economic and political landscapes are changing, I believe it’s important to take a fresh strategic approach where partnership working is at the centre of our future plans.”
