
Dr Darren Clark
Chief Executive
Darren joined Medilink in 2004 and has over 20 years experience in the life science sector, the majority gained in industry with the remainder in academic research. He has a BSc (Hons) in Microbiology and a Ph.D in Applied Microbiology.

Costa Philippou
Project Manager – Business Development
Costa is responsible for all aspects of Medilink’s service offerings, from the extensive events programme to a number of European projects. Costa has a strong commercial and international trade background, including setting up his own export company and managing the East Midlands International Trade Association (emita). He joined Medilink East Midlands in 2008.

Melanie Davidson
Project Leader – Innovation
Melanie brings a background of industrial research and business development from West Pharmaceutical Service’s Drug Delivery Division. She also broadens our bioscience reach having studied Animal Science at The University of Nottingham. Before joining Medilink, Melanie gained valuable experience in economic development and international investment at the East Midlands Development Agency (emda).

Dr Neil Barnes
Project Leader – Innovation
Neil comes to Medilink with a long experience in Bioscience and Healthcare business. Following studies in Biology (BSc) and enzyme biochemistry (PhD) and, sometime later, Masters in Business Administration (MBA) he has worked in organisations from the very large to very small, and in 5 different countries. He has a deep and broad experience of creating and running businesses in areas of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, cosmetics and biosciences. Neil also runs business related Masters courses at 2 local universities and is a participant in several EU funded projects.

Dr Nathan Walker
Project Leader – Innovation
Nathan has a solid background in stem research and biobanking. He has a BSc in Biomedical Science and PhD in stem cell research from the University of Sheffield and he has worked within the stem cell banking industry as a research and new products manager.

Teresa Smith
Project Leader – Innovation
Teresa brings extensive experience with ERDF funded projects from her previous role as Business Manager delivering Innovation engagement – particularly for satellite and geographic data manipulation – for the University of Leicester. She has a BSc in biological sciences/analytical biochemistry and more recently, an MSc in Management specialising in Innovation and business engagement.

Paul Edwards
Project Leader – Innovation
Paul has an extensive background working within pharmaceutical production and the chemicals industry. Paul studied Chemistry at Nottingham Trent University and continues his studies for the Executive MBA. Over the last 10 years Paul has worked on various ERDF funded business support programmes, most latterly supporting the life sciences sector in Nottingham as part of the D2N2 Growth Hub

Becky Sharpe
Project Leader – Marketing and Events
Becky joined the Medilink team in November 2011. Her duties include coordination for regional and national events. As well as delivery of our calendar of events, Becky event manages on behalf of partner organisations. Becky is also responsible for membership support, marketing and communications.

Merle Harrison
Project Assistant – Marketing and Events
Merle joined the team in April 2015 in the hope of pursuing a career in Event Management. She is primarily responsible for assisting Becky in her role as Marketing and Events Project Leader, but also provides general administrative support. She is responsible for the company’s Social Media activity.

Richard Hadfield
Project Leader – Skills
Richard’s main responsibility sits currently within the Skills Team, where he ensures that applications for skills development training meet the funding criteria. As part of the Medilink team since 2009, he has worked within a variety of project support roles, supporting ERDF European contract management, collaborative university projects, the INTERREG biomat-IN project and the Medilink BioEducation Lab.

Catherine Hadfield
Office Manager
Catherine has been part of the Medilink team since 2004. Catherine’s main duty is to manage all aspects of HR, including pensions, recruitment, employment contracts, health and safety as well as general office/administrative duties.

Julie Buda
Finance Manager
Julie joined the team in 2012. Julie is responsible for managing the accounts, payroll, cashflow forecasting and any finance matter related to the running of the company. Julie has gained a lot of experience in Accounts and Finance working for a variety of small and large companies in Finance Managerial roles.
Photos taken by Nathan Walker Photography.