Speakers
Bob Klaber
Presentation
Professor Bob Klaber studied at the University of Cambridge and Bart's and The London School of Medicine, before completing his postgraduate training in paediatrics in hospitals across London. He has also trained as a medical educationalist in quality improvement and, through an MD at University College London, in mixed methods research. He is a professor of practice (population health) at the School of Public Health, Imperial College London, a member of the NHS Assembly and a trustee of the Nuffield Trust.
In his current executive director role, he is responsible for strategy, research, innovation and improvement across the Trust. This also involves clinical leadership around redevelopment, sustainability, improving population health, developing the Trust’s role as an anchor institution and improving health equity. He continues to work as a consultant paediatrician at the Trust and as part of Connecting Care for Children, an integrated child health programme in north west London. Bob is also one of the leaders of Kindness in Healthcare, a network of 1400 people from 34 different countries.
Dr Maria Koufali is the Life Sciences Industry Director at the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), and formerly led the UK Vaccine Innovation Pathway as Head of the programme.
Maria Koufali, is an experienced senior leader in life sciences research and innovation, bringing over 20 years of cross-sector expertise in working with global pharmaceutical companies, digital health firms, diagnostics developers, and MedTech SMEs. She holds a PhD in Pharmacology and Neuroscience, an MBA (Distinction), and is the first NHS R&D Director nationally to be awarded the Nye Bevan Executive Health Leadership Award. Maria currently leads the UK Vaccine Innovation Pathway at NIHR/DHSC, a nationally mandated clinical trials accelerator. Maria currently serves as Trustee and Chair of the Industry Advisory Board at the BBSRC-funded Quadram Institute, where she shapes translational and commercial strategy. She brings to the new contract a proven ability to develop national infrastructure, deliver commercial growth, and work across government and industry to accelerate innovation that benefits patients and the UK economy.