Medilink UK appoints new

Medilink UK appoints new CEO

Medilink UK, the largest representative body for the Health Technology sector in the UK, has appointed Kevin Kiely as its CEO.

Kevin was co-founder of the Medilink model over twenty five years ago, which for the first time brought together in a formal regional association, the health technology and related life sciences industry, the NHS and universities, to drive innovation across the sector.

During this time, he has developed a deep understanding and connectivity with the sector throughout the UK and overseas, which plays a key role in the health and wealth of the nation.

Kevin is uniquely placed to work with national agencies to ensure that the needs of the health technology and related life sciences sector are fully considered in all future developments and that opportunities, post Brexit, are realised.

Bill Cruise, Medilink UK Chairman, said: “The strength of Medilink UK continues to be the in-depth relationships that its constituent Medilink organisations have in regions across the UK. However, the sector is facing unprecedented challenges, not least with the current Coronavirus pandemic, and it has become clear that Medilink UK needs to play a more proactive national role if challenges are to be overcome and future opportunities realised. I am therefore delighted to announce the appointment of Medilink UK’s first national CEO, Kevin Kiely.”

Kevin Kiely said: “Having been involved in the development of regional Medilink organisations across the UK for over 25 years, and seeing the Medilink UK infrastructure grow to a point where it is now the largest representative body for the health technology industry, I understand many of the challenges facing our members, not only now with the unprecedented impact of the coronavirus pandemic but with the ongoing challenges of innovation (particularly regulation) and internationalisation. Our industry has always been on the front line when it comes to responding to the changing needs of healthcare delivery but never before has this been more visible than in the current Covid-19 crisis - whether this be in developing antigen / antibody tests, precision engineered components for ventilators, the supply of PPE or accelerating the production of urgently needed medical equipment.

It has never been more important for Medilink UK to have national representation and I feel privileged to have been asked to undertake this role.”

Medilink UK is a national representative organisation for the health technology and related life sciences sector. It is a unique partnership between industry, the NHS, universities and UK Government organisations, with a strong track record in increasing the viability of manufacturers, service providers, designers, OEMs and suppliers of healthcare technology.

Medilink UK plays an important role in driving the health and wealth of the nation by addressing the day-to-day issues that face the health technology and related life sciences sector and helping drive the development of products and services from concept through to commercialisation, as well as nurturing collaboration between academics, clinicians and industry.

Medilink UK brings together regional Medilink organisations into a vibrant national partnership and is the largest representative healthcare technology body in the UK, with over 1600 member organisations

Business award for Loughborough entrepreneur

Pharmaceuticals boss and business leader Dr Nik Kotecha OBE has been named the Entrepreneur of the Year at the 2019 Lloyds Bank National Business Awards.

The flagship national awards honour the UK’s most creative and innovative businesses and business leaders who set new standards of excellence within their industries. Dr Kotecha was nominated alongside some of the country’s most inspiring and visionary entrepreneurs for his work in growing Morningside Pharmaceuticals from a garage start-up in the 1990s to one of the Midlands’ leading life sciences businesses today.

Morningside Pharmaceuticals, based in Loughborough, manufactures and supplies quality medicines to the UK and internationally. Since inception, the company has exported to more than 100 countries globally, in addition to supplying NHS hospitals and pharmacies twice daily in the UK. Dr Kotecha said: “I am truly honoured and humbled to receive this award, which I would like to dedicate to the hard work, dedication and commitment of our employees. Morningside was founded through an entrepreneur’s dream of making quality healthcare an affordable and accessible reality throughout the world, and has grown to become one of the Top 100 companies in Leicestershire today. Our focus has been on innovating and developing niche generic drugs, which in turn has enabled

Morningside to grow to a size so we are in a position to support a wide range of good causes connected to sport, education, health and the community. Our commitment is to work with communities to bring them together and improve the quality of life of the people living there. I hope this national award helps shine a light on how successful businesses, through corporate social responsibility, can make a real difference to the communities they operate in.” In the true spirit of an entrepreneur, Dr Kotecha was also honoured for establishing his own Charitable Foundation, which is focused on saving lives, helping the socially disadvantaged and improving quality of life for those in need in the UK and around the world. The Randal Charitable Foundation has already donated significant grant funding to a number of local, national and international good causes. In addition to his business and philanthropic work, Dr Kotecha also gives his time to the local community through involvement with Board and Advisory positions for business organisations, government departments, industry associations and charities. This includes being a CBI Regional Councillor and a Department for International Trade (DIT) Export Champion.

The award judges were impressed with Dr Kotecha’s history of innovating to grow his businesses. They also commended his clear philosophy of learning every part of his companies in detail, while building a team around him, and then moving onto his next challenge.

BresMed’s new global HQ at Steel City House in Sheffield is the heart of the company’s worldwide operation. Commenting on the move, CEO Nic Brereton said: “I am so proud to be expanding BresMed to these premium premises in the city. The building very much fits with our brand – it’s iconic with a quirky feel and, like us, it dares to be different.” The company has come a long way since Nic moved into a one-person office in the city many years ago, adding: “Actually, it was more a cupboard! However, it helped me launch the business.”

“The leaders we meet are truly inspirational, and Dr Nik Kotecha’s work with Morningside Pharmaceuticals is a stellar example of the innovation and leadership it takes to grow an organisation from the ground up. We’re delighted to be able to celebrate this incredible story of UK and international success.”

Richard Alvin Interim Awards Director