Tony Jones, Director of Biotechnology & Healthcare London First. After completing a PhD in Biochemistry (1992) from the University of Southampton UK, Tony Jones undertook several years of post-doctoral research in the oncology field, primarily with the Imperial Cancer Research Fund taking novel neuropeptide antagonists into Phase 1. In 1997, he moved into Technology Transfer with the Medical Research Council and later (1998) moved to University College London, where he was Business Development Manager at the Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research until November 2003. In November 2003, he took up the post of Director of Biotechnology & Healthcare at London First, managing the London Biotechnology Network and promotion of London's excellence in healthcare research and delivery. Recruited as Director in late 2003 for the London Biotechnology Network (LBN), Tony has moved the LBN from a primarily inward looking London group to an outward facing business network.
Dr.Jon Rees is CEO of OBN, having taken over the direction of the network's activities in July 2005, taking the organization to financial self-sustainability, diversifying it's business, and leading the spin-out of OBN from the University in July 2008. As executive director, Dr. Rees's it's on the 5-member Board of OBN, developing strategy for the organization as well as business planning. Jon was a scientist by training, but also has several years' background in Project Management, which he moved into after having worked as a post-doctoral research officer in the Dept. of Plant Sciences (Univ. Oxford) publishing in peer-reviewed plant biotechnology journals. Jon conceptualized BioTrinity, now OBN's flagship one-to-one biotechnology partnering and investment conference which showcases the South East most promising biotech's which attracted 400 delegates in it's first year - and at which over 500 partnering meetings were held. BioTrinity became the largest biopartnering meeting in South East England (SEEDA) region in it's inaugural year. Dr. Rees also instigated OBN's Group Purchasing Scheme which is expected to save OBN Member companies up to "1m over it's first two years. Jon completed his molecular biology PhD in 2000.
Harriet Fear joined the ERBI team from the Diplomatic Service. She has worked in many British Embassies around the globe across all continents. She has spent the last 10 years working in the commercial field, the latter five years of which she has led the life sciences Trade Team at UK Trade & Investment. This role saw her leading the UK presence at major international events such as BIO and Medica and championing the international plans of biotech, pharma, healthcare and Medtech companies throughout the UK. She also played a pivotal role in the selling of the UK life sciences sector internationally, working with industry leaders to develop a life sciences Marketing Strategy for the UK.