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NIHR Clinical Research Network appoints Research Delivery Director

Published: 18 January 2021

The NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN) has appointed Dr Kate Jones to the position of Research Delivery Director.

Kate is currently Chief Operating Officer of NIHR CRN Kent, Surrey and Sussex. The appointment follows an open competitive selection process and Kate will take up post full time in April 2021.

As the national Research Delivery Director, Kate will be responsible for shaping and leading the delivery of the portfolio of health and care research studies managed by the NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN). She will work with leaders, staff and stakeholders across the NIHR, health and care service providers, research funders and sponsors to create innovative and collaborative strategies to optimise the delivery of health and care research in England.

Dr William van’t Hoff, Chief Executive of the NIHR Clinical Research Network said:

“We are delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Kate Jones as the NIHR Clinical Research Network’s new Research Delivery Director. Kate will play an important role in the continued success of our Covid-19 urgent public health research programme, alongside our aim to ensure a balanced portfolio of research - while enabling non Covid-19 studies to get back on track through our programme of recovery, resilience and growth.”

“The CRN’s main strength and success to date is largely down to the expertise of our fifteen Local Clinical Research Networks (LCRNs) - covering the length and breadth of England, but coming together as one national network. Kate’s insight and wealth of experience of research delivery gained at a local level will prove an invaluable addition to the national team.”

Kate obtained a PhD in Pharmacy from the University of Manchester in 1994 and worked in scientific research for a number of years. She joined the NHS as a governance lead in 2004, and has held a number of NHS and clinical research management roles since then. In January 2016, Kate took up a post as cross-cutting Research Delivery Manager and acting Industry Operations Manager for CRN Eastern. This post also provided maternity cover for the deputy Chief Operating Officer at CRN Eastern. Kate was then appointed as Chief Operating Officer for CRN Kent, Surrey and Sussex (KSS) in January 2017.

On her appointment, Kate said:“I am delighted to be offered the role of NIHR CRN Research Delivery Director. This is a fabulous opportunity to contribute to the shape of research for the future in the UK. I hope to draw on all I have learnt at a regional level and inject my passion for people into all that I do.

“I am very excited about joining the CRNCC team and working closely with colleagues across the CRN, across the NIHR and wider to give patients and citizens the opportunity to take part in high quality research. We have learnt so much in the last year during the pandemic and I want to harness as much of the energy and shared purpose we have generated for research into our future. Together, we are bringing research opportunities to serve our communities where they are needed and delivering on our promises to sponsors and researchers.”

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