08:00 AM
09:00 AM
Registration, Networking and Exhibition
09:00 AM
10:00 AM
Gwyn Tudor, MediWales, CEO
Victoria Heath, Welsh Government, Chief Healthcare Science Officer
Luella Trickett, ABHI, Executive Director, Medical Devices, Value and Access
Infection Vaccine Clinical Trials in Wales
Professor Andrew Freedman,
Consultant in Vaccine Clinical Trials, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board; Clinical Lead, Health and Care Research Wales Infection Vaccine Trial Network; Honorary Professor and Director, International Education, Cardiff University School of Medicine
10:00 AM
11:00 AM
Main Auditorium
Advanced Therapies: Equal Access, Engaged Patients - Centring the patient voice in the development and delivery of novel therapies.
This session will begin by introducing the audience to the world of Advanced Therapies—what they are, why they matter, and how organisations like Advanced Therapies Wales and the Midlands and Wales Advanced Therapies Treatment Centre (MW-ATTC) are working to develop the ecosystem to enable the eligible population of Wales to access them in an equitable way. We’ll also explore how meaningful public and patient involvement and engagement (PPIE) is shaping the future of these therapies, ensuring that development is guided by real-world needs and lived experiences. Following this, Jemin, a patient with lived experience of Beta Thalassemia Major, will take the audience on a personal journey—inviting them to step into the shoes of a patient and their family navigating the emotional and practical realities of complex therapy decision-making. Through storytelling, audience participation, and imaginative scenarios, Jemin will challenge assumptions and highlight the complexity of choices patients face. Expect a session that blends insight with empathy, and leaves a lasting impression on how we think about innovation, care, and the people at the heart of it.
John Lewis, Midlands and Wales Advanced Therapies Treatment Centre, Project Manager
Jemin Popat, Patient Representative - Lived experience
Rachel Bruton, Midlands and Wales Advanced Therapies Treatment Centre, Programme Manager
10:00 AM
11:00 AM
Aylward Room
Social Care Wales: From Collaboration to Evidence - Integrated Social Care in Action
As health and social care services become more integrated, the need to understand what works—and why—has never been more important. This session brings together two perspectives from the front lines of innovation. First, we’ll hear from a practitioner leading integrated care projects within multidisciplinary teams, sharing real-world examples of how collaboration across services is improving outcomes for individuals and communities. Then, we’ll explore practical approaches to evaluating these kinds of initiatives, with a focus on how to generate meaningful evidence that supports learning, accountability, and future investment. Whether you're involved in service delivery, commissioning, or research, this session offers valuable insights into making integration work—and proving its impact. REM is flexible and works brilliantly to map the journey of an innovation with multiple partners. After a year of mapping, we are now starting to be able to evidence how policy/strategy and regional working facilitates the achievement of outcomes for people, services and organisations, and health locally are starting to use it themselves.
Session Lead
Aimee Twinberrow,
Social Care Wales,
Digital Innovation Lead
Ripple Effects Mapping
Natalie Pryor,
North Wales Regional Partnership Board,
Innovation and Evaluation Project Manager
Ripple Effects Mapping
Chloe Mangnall,
North Wales Regional Partnership Board,
Project Support Officer
Integrated projects across health and social care
Louise Baker,
Life Sciences Hub Wales (LSHW),
Project Lead
10:00 AM
11:00 AM
Wilberforce Room
Digital Health and Care Wales: Data Driven Innovation - Unlocking Health Data within DHCW
Whether you're a researcher with a question, an SME who is looking to leverage data to support their innovation or a clinician with an idea, DHCW has the data and tools to support you. A deep dive into DHCW’s data request infrastructure—from intake and triage to secure data service. This session outlines how our Research & Innovation, Information Services, and Secure Data Environment teams work in harmony to support the technical, governance, and practical needs of data users across the NHS and beyond. Come along to find out how we can make access to data and analytical support easier for everyone.
Louisa Dean, Digital Health and Care Wales, Innovation Support Manager
Gareth John, Digital Health & Care Wales, Head of Information Delivery
Jennifer Selby, Digital Health and Care Wales, Senior Product Specialist
10:00 AM
11:00 AM
Wallis Room
CEDAR: From Conception to Adoption - Collaborating to generate new evidence
Partnerships with industry and health boards are essential to generating evidence, from the early stages of project development, to implementation and adoption within healthcare pathways. Hear how CEDAR's partnerships are transforming healthcare and research across Wales, through a panel discussion exploring the approaches and evidence needed at different stages of development and adoption.
Chair
Dr Rhys Morris,
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board,
Director of CEDAR and Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering
Panel Co-chair
Kathleen Withers,
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board,
CEDAR Deputy Director
Adam Bryant, CanSense, CEO
RSA-PACE
Dr Sue Peirce,
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board,
CEDAR and Cardiff University Research Fellow
POLARiS
Harriet Coxon-Meggy,
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board,
Clinical Research Fellow (colorectal surgery), Surgical Registrar
10:00 AM
11:00 AM
Barnardo Room
Business Support Session
Join the Business Support session for expert guidance across a wide range of topics, including regulatory compliance, international trade, funding opportunities and market access. You can also meet our Business Support speakers in our Innovation Cafe for personalised, one to one advice tailored to your business needs.
Julie Russell, Welsh Government, Business Development Manager
Richard Harris, Welsh Government, Head of International Trade
Matthew Jones, LimestoneGrey, Managing Director
Leanne Waring, Cardiff and Vale College, Head of Business Development
Mark Wyatt, Development Bank of Wales, Deputy Fund Manager
Iwan Palmer, Welsh Government , Innovation Specialist
Dr Bryan Griffiths, Innovate UK Business Growth, Innovation & Growth Specialist
11:30 AM
12:30 PM
Main Auditorium
Digital and AI Showcase
A dedicated session focussing on the latest digital and AI innovations to impact on health and care.
Bridging the Gap: Tackling Digital Exclusion in Maternity Services
Cheri Lewis,
Senior Midwifery Information Officer at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board and a Florence Nightingale Foundation Emerging Strategic Leadership Scholar.
Asad Javied, Hartree Centre Cardiff Hub, Lead Data Scientist
Iain Trayner, Scottish Government, Service Development and Improvement Lead
Postmodern EHR
Brian Murray,
Better,
Sales Director UK&I
Introducing Synertec: Transforming Patient Communications
Suzanne Dawtrey,
Synertec,
Regional Sales Manager
AI For Fast & Early Lung Cancer Detection: RAPID-LC Project with ABUHB, CTMUHB & NIAW
Banu Bilgili,
Qure.ai,
Senior Manager - Client Success
11:30 AM
12:30 PM
Aylward Room
Implementing and Evaluating Mental Health Services
The first half of the session will focus on evaluating the self-harm and suicide prevention joint agency pathway, developed by BCUHB Specialist CAMHS and Denbighshire Local Authority Education Services in response to a demand for a safe way to manage self-harm in the community. The later half of the session will be discussion based. Attendees will be asked for their views on ways to embed a key enabler to the bold and ambitious strategic direction for Mental Health Services for Wales, through Wales' soon to be established Mental Health Research and Evidence Network.
Service evaluation of the self-harm and suicide prevention joint agency pathway
Jessica Atkinson,
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board,
Research Assistant
Service evaluation of the self-harm and suicide prevention joint agency pathway
Kathryn Nash,
Denbighshire Local Authority,
Principal Educational Psychologist, Manager of the Counselling Service
Charlotte Thomas, NHS Wales Performance and Improvement, National Programme Lead - Strategic Programme for Mental Health
11:30 AM
12:30 PM
Wilberforce Room
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board: The Endoscopy Challenge - Industry and NHS working together for change
This session explores how cross-sector collaboration—spanning funders, industry partners, procurement, innovation, and clinicians—came together for the Endoscopy Challenge. Here we will be highlighting key insights from each perspective and demonstrating how partnership and shared purpose can drive valuable, enjoyable, and successful outcomes.
Session Lead
Zoe Hilton,
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board,
Innovation Program Manager
Clinical picture
Jennifer Waterman,
University Hospital of Wales,
Clinical Fellow Colorectal Surgery
Procurement process
Sam Salisbury,
NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership - Procurement,
Procurement Business Manager
IQ perspective
Tom Kahan,
IQ Endoscopes,
Chief Financial Officer
Cardiff Capital Region Perspective
Owen Wilce,
Cardiff Capital Region,
Public Service Innovation Manager
11:30 AM
12:30 PM
Wallis Room
Health and Care Research Wales Stream - Welsh Company Showcase
Health and Care Research Wales is working to position Wales as a leading and trusted location for commercial research through closer industry collaboration. Central to this effort is the work of the Industry Advisory Group, which is guiding the development of a national action plan focused on three key areas; clinical trials, medtech, medical devices, diagnostics, and digital and Social care. This stream will explore how Wales is tackling barriers to effective industry engagement, particularly in the medtech and digital health sectors. A collaborative mapping project led by MediWales aims to address these Insights from this work will directly inform strategic planning. The stream will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to contribute to and learn, ensuring the needs and ambitions of partners are integrated into the future of Welsh health and care research.
Chair: Welsh Company Showcase
Paul Hole,
Zentraxa,
Research and Development Manager
James Hindley, ImmunoServ, CEO
Making Hormone Testing Smarter: How industry and academia are collaborating to validate an AI-driven approach to Women’s Health
Sarah Bolt,
Forth With Life,
CEO
Making Hormone Testing Smarter: How industry and academia are collaborating to validate an AI-driven approach to Women’s Health
Paulina Pasik,
Swansea University,
Research Associate
Matt Bambery, Frontier Medical Group, Chief Operating Officer
Prof Alan Parker, Wales Applied Virology Unit, Co-Director
When NHS meets industry - Patient study collaboration, past, present and future
Danielle Webb,
Simbec-Orion,
Director of Pharmacology
When NHS meets industry - Patient study collaboration, past, present and future
Laura Luddington,
Simbec Orion,
Project Director
11:30 AM
12:30 PM
Barnardo Room
NHS Market Access Session
This session offers guidance for life sciences, medtech, and digital health companies on navigating regulation, evidence requirements, and clinical engagement to successfully introduce innovations into the health service.
Luella Trickett, ABHI, Executive Director, Medical Devices, Value and Access
Mark Briggs, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Assistant Director of Innovation
Victoria Wilbraham-Mitchell, UK Discovery Health , Founder & Managing Partner
Martyn Lewis, Llusern Scientific, Managing Director
12:30 PM
01:30 PM
Main Auditorium
Innovation Showcase
Showcasing clinical innovations which are transforming health and social care.
Tom Ringham, Cyted Health, Business Development Manager
Amotio: Revolutionising Orthopaedic Revision Surgery
Iestyn Foster,
Amotio,
CEO
Luke Burke, Corryn Biotechnologies, Director
SGS CDMO Solutions: Building Growth and Maintaining Customer Excellence
Paul Broomhead,
SGS CDMO Solutions,
Head of Site
Nelson Ker, HOCL Health, CEO
Chris Malone, Luscii, UK Managing Director
12:30 PM
01:30 PM
Aylward Room
Velindre University NHS Trust: Innovation in Cancer Care - Opportunities for collaboration
The new Velindre Cancer Centre opens in April 2027. A key element of that is our Collaborative Centre for Learning, Research and Innovation – a physical and virtual resource to help connect a wide range of teams involved in cancer and deliver improvements through collaborative education, research, innovation and involvement. We'd like this exciting development to be more than just physical - and one which starts to deliver the benefits prior to 2027. This workshop will update you on progress and give you opportunity to shape the project and its outputs, helping to deliver greater value and benefits for everyone involved.
Session Lead
Jennet Holmes,
Velindre NHS University Trust,
Head of Innovation
Dr Mick Button, Velindre University NHS Trust, Clinical Oncologist and Associate Medical Director
12:30 PM
01:30 PM
Wilberforce Room
Hywel Dda University Health Board: Evidence and Value Creation in the NHS - Enhancing insights, impact, and uptake for patients, healthcare providers, and industry
TriTech Partnerships between health, industry, and academia are crucial in tackling real-world health challenges, especially in respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. By combining expertise, sharing knowledge, and pooling resources, these collaborations are transforming healthcare across Wales and significantly improving lives worldwide.
Session lead
Professor Chris Hopkins,
Hywel Dda University Health Board,
Consultant Clinical Scientist, Head of the Tritech Institute, Hywel Dda University Health Board & President-Elect, UK Academy for Healthcare Science
Strategic Partnerships and real-world evaluations (AstraZeneca, AMGEN)
Matthew Lawrence,
Hywel Dda University Health Board,
Deputy Head of the Tritech Institute and Innovation
National Evaluations (Institute of Clinical Science and Technology)
Gareth Davies,
Hywel Dda University Health Board,
Clinical Scientist
Research projects
Zohra Omar,
Hywel Dda University Health Board,
Research and Innovation Nurse
The Clinical "why"?
Keir Lewis,
Hywel Dda Health Board,
Professor at Swansea University & Clinical lead for Respiratory Medicine
12:30 PM
01:30 PM
Barnardo Room
Regulatory Session
This session offers practical guidance on navigating the regulatory requirements for medical device development, focusing on both organisational strategies and product-specific compliance needs.
Medtech Success: Practical Insights with Regulatory Focus
Professor Laurie Rowe,
Medical Device Consultant, Red Medtech,
Founder & Director
Parallels between regulatory and commercial strategy
Tom Campbell,
Sotas Group,
CEO
Medtech regulatory requirements for privacy and cybersecurity
Radharamanan Hariharan,
Maruthi Quality Management Services,
Director
12:30 PM
01:30 PM
Wallis Room
Health and Care Research Wales Stream - MedTech Support Panel
Health and Care Research Wales is working to position Wales as a leading and trusted location for commercial research through closer industry collaboration. Central to this effort is the work of the Industry Advisory Group, which is guiding the development of a national action plan focused on three key areas; clinical trials, medtech, medical devices, diagnostics, and digital and Social care. This stream will explore how Wales is tackling barriers to effective industry engagement, particularly in the medtech and digital health sectors. A collaborative mapping project led by MediWales aims to address these Insights from this work will directly inform strategic planning. The stream will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to contribute to and learn, ensuring the needs and ambitions of partners are integrated into the future of Welsh health and care research.
Chair
Carys Thomas,
Welsh Government,
Head of Policy (R&D Division, Health and Social Care)
Lydia Vitolo, Health and Care Research Wales, Senior Research Manager
Iwan Palmer, Welsh Government , Innovation Specialist
Andrew Barber, National Institute for Health and Care Research, Senior Programme Manager
Debbie Laubach, MediWales, Operations Manager
James Hindley, ImmunoServ, CEO
Sarah Bolt, Forth With Life, CEO
Matt Bambery, Frontier Medical Group, Chief Operating Officer
02:30 PM
03:30 PM
Main Auditorium
Keynote Plenary: Global Health - Management of non-communicable diseases in fragile, conflict and post conflict settings.
Delivering care for people with NCDs in humanitarian settings
Chair
Dr Susannah Stanway,
Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust,
Honorary Consultant Medical Oncology
Zoe Hilton, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Innovation Program Manager
Dr Mohammad Alhadj Ali, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board , Consultant Physician and Honorary Senior Lecturer
Dr Ibtihal Fadhil, Founder & Chair, Eastern Mediterranean NCD Alliance, Former Regional Advisor on Non-Communicable Disease, WHO
Dr Nazik Hammad, St. Michael’s Hospital, University of Toronto, Professor, Division of Hematology-Oncology
03:30 PM
04:30 PM
Main Auditorium
Cardiff Cancer Research Hub: How partnership working between the NHS and academia is driving new research
Hear from the Cardiff Cancer Research Hub (CCRH) team about what the partnership between Velindre University NHS Trust, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and Cardiff University will bring to the people of Wales. The team will be showcasing some of their groundbreaking trials and talking about how the CCRH brings together globally recognised clinical and academic excellence to improve patient access in Wales.
Overview of CCRH
Rhydian Owen,
Velindre University NHS Trust,
R&D Cancer Strategy Lead
Case Study 1: ATTEST (translational research)
Prof Alan Parker,
Wales Applied Virology Unit,
Co-Director
Case Study 1: ATTEST (translational research)
Dr Magda Meissner,
Velindre Cancer Centre,
Consultant Medical Oncologist
Case Study 2: Iovance (cell therapy trial in solid cancer)
Claire Lang,
Velindre University NHS Trust,
Senior Research Nurse Manager
Case Study 2: Iovance (cell therapy trial in solid cancer)
Gabriella Brutto,
Cardiff Cancer Research Hub,
Early Phase Research Nurse
Case Study 3: Monumental (Haematology)
Dr Ceri Bygrave,
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board,
Consultant Haematologist, Myeloma Lead
Case Study 3: Monumental (Haematology)
Katie Gilmour,
Velindre University NHS Trust,
Research Nurse Team Lead
Future Plan: The cancer immunotherapy time-of-day trial
Dr Philip Savage,
NHS,
Consultant in Medical Oncology
Next steps and how to get involved with CCRH
Rhydian Owen,
Velindre University NHS Trust,
R&D Cancer Strategy Lead
Rhodri Griffiths, Life Sciences Hub Wales , Innovation Adoption Director
Dr Rob Orford, Life Sciences Hub Wales, Lead Tackling Cancer Advisor
03:30 PM
04:30 PM
Aylward Room
Dragon's Heart Institute: The Model for Unleashing – a novel approach to Spread & Scale
Discover a novel approach to spreading and scaling innovation or best practice in this interactive workshop. Learn the fundamentals of the Model for Unleashing—a proven methodology blending practical tools, leadership development, and system-level thinking to drive impactful change at scale. The Dragon’s Heart Institute team will give you a taste of both the technical skills and inner development work needed to help scale your project across your organisation, your system and beyond
Bryn Kentish, Dragon’s Heart Institute, Cardiff and Vale UHB, Spread & Scale Programme Manager / Communications Lead
Huw Griffiths, Cardiff and Vale UHB, Head of the Dragon’s Heart Institute
03:30 PM
04:30 PM
Wilberforce Room
Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust: Emergency and Urgent Care Research
This session will showcase the Research and Innovation currently taking place within the Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust (WAST). This includes presentations on research involving End of Life Care, complex decision making in the dispatch system, a service evaluation of the ‘APP Navigator’ role within Wales and research into probiotics and how they can support the well-being of healthcare workers during winter.
Session Lead
Professor Nigel Rees QAM,
Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust,
Assistant Director of Research & Innovation
Dr Chris Moore, Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust, Head of Medicine Management
Ed Harry, Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust, Professional Development Lead - Advanced Practice
Kerry Robertshaw, Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust , Consultant Paramedic - Urgent Care
Cendl Xanthe, Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust , Clinical Research and Innovation Officer
Lauren Williams, Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust , Research and Innovation Officer
Professor Jo Angouri, University of Warwick, Pro-Vice Chancellor: Education and Internationalisation,
Dr Shawnea S. P. Ting, University of Warwick, Research Fellow, Applied Linguistics
Lyba Nadeem, University of Warwick, Research Assistant
Dr Daniel John, Cultech Ltd., Research Manager
More speakers and sessions to follow