From Brilliant Science to Big Business

Chris Allen is Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Broughton, an analytical testing laboratory and scientific consultancy supporting regulated product development. With over 25 years’ experience in analytical and regulatory science, Chris has worked across pharmaceuticals, medical devices and nicotine products, including roles in global organisations and leading CROs. He co-founded Broughton in 2006 and has extensive experience supporting clients with scientific strategies, quality frameworks and engagement with regulatory agencies including the FDA and MHRA. Chris oversees Broughton’s strategic direction, with a focus on accelerating life-enhancing products to market through science-led innovation.

Helen Philippou is a Professor of Translational Medicine at the University of Leeds, UK. As an academic she has researched mechanisms of blood clotting over 34 years with a leading international reputation in clot formation and its breakdown. Helen’s passion lies in yielding impact to benefit patients from unmet clinical needs. Consequently, Helen created and led multidisciplinary teams which led to the creation of the first therapeutic University of Leeds spin-out Company (LUNAC Therapeutics). ClotProtect is her second therapeutic spin-out company she has co-founded to benefit patients from acute bleeding.

Karen has built her career around developing senior relationships across industry, academia and government in the UK and internationally. She has worked with large organisations, run her own SME for 20 years, and operated extensively at the interface between the public and private sectors. She has worked closely with C-suite leaders, universities and government, often helping to open doors, connect people and turn intent into practical collaboration. Relationship-building rather than selling has remained central to her work. Karen is in a strategic role at Equans Sci-Tech, focused on complex, regulated and technology-led sectors including Life Sciences and advanced manufacturing. Her work centres on building strategic relationships, identifying opportunities and providing insight to shape market activity.

Matthew is a specialist in innovative tax reliefs and is the founder of LimestoneGrey, a chartered tax consultancy dedicated to R&D tax credit relief. A dual-qualified Chartered Tax Adviser and Chartered Accountant; Matthew has spent his career helping companies secure capital through R&D tax credits and has particular expertise in supporting companies in the areas of med-tech and life sciences. Matthew is known for developing strong client relationships thanks to his personal and thorough approach.

Paul Thorning has over 25 years’ experience in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries in manufacturing, research, marketing, consultancy, and senior executive roles. Paul was a former licensing director for AstraZeneca (member of the Crestor acquisition team). He spent three years in Tanzania, Africa, leading a team of 1,500 staff running hospitals, health programmes, and community services for 140,000 Congolese refugees. The team achieved a 30% reduction in mortality across the refugee health programme in under two years. Following his return to the UK, Paul was appointed as Director of the Institute of Pharmaceutical Innovation at the University of Bradford, subsequently being appointed an Honorary Professor of Innovation before taking on a part-time academic Professor role leading entrepreneurship programmes. Paul was also appointed as the UK’s national Focal Point for Health and Innovation with China. Paul is Chief Executive and a Co-founder of CrystecPharma, a pharmaceutical technology company focused on improving the performance of medicines. He is also a board member of Inhalis, a Swiss company developing a novel therapeutic for lung fibrosis. Paul holds an MBA, is a Fe