Christine, provides leadership executing the Trust’s vision for research, drawing on her expertise in strategy, policy, funding and governance to deliver high quality research and innovation for the benefit of patients and the public.
Since joining Southampton in 2006, Christine has established world class research and innovation infrastructure, high quality leaders and teams. Christine co-founded the UoS/UHS Joint Research Strategy Board ensuring alignment of strategies across the partnership. With our partners, UHS research has realised major clinical advances, most recently notable in COVID19 treatments and vaccinations. Her leadership of award-winning culture change (HSJ Progressive Research Culture, 2013) has driven a four-fold increase in the Trust’s research income and the successful delivery of the UHS 2017-2022 R&D Strategy.
Christine’s system leadership includes working with strategic leads in Wessex’s regional NHS organisations including the newly formed Integrated Care Systems, Higher Education Institutions and Councils to realise the vision of Wessex Health Partners.
At national level Christine’s work includes partnerships with government and industry bodies including the Department of Health and Social Care, NHSEI, the National Institute of Health Research, Association of British Pharmaceutical Industry and Royal Colleges. In 2017, Christine was appointed to the Ministerial Industry Steering Group for Commercial Research.
Christine has been chair of the UKRD since its inauguration in 2017. A unique community of expertise and influence, UKRD is now the established body representing R&D Directors and senior leaders in the NHS.
A dedicated NHS leader, Christine started her career in nursing, completing her Masters by Research with the University of Bristol.