The Executive Team leads and supports staff across UK Biobank to deliver the strategic objectives of the organisation.

The members of the team bring with them the necessary scientific knowledge, research focus and ambition to realise UK Biobank’s potential.

Professor Sir Rory Collins
Principal Investigator and Chief Executive

UK Biobank is led by Sir Rory Collins, British Heart Foundation Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology at the University of Oxford. He was appointed UK Biobank Principal Investigator and Chief Executive in 2005.

Dr Mark Effingham
Deputy CEO

Mark brings broad experience of technical strategy, IT delivery and domain expertise in health informatics and big data. Mark is a Fellow of the British Computer Society. He holds a PhD and MSc from the University of Birmingham.

Professor Naomi Allen
Chief Scientist

Naomi is Professor of Epidemiology at the Nuffield Department for Population Health, University of Oxford. She is primarily responsible for the linkage of electronic health records for all participants. Her research background is in cancer epidemiology.

Gareth Gregory
Chief Finance Officer

Gareth is responsible for Finance, HR and Procurement. Gareth’s career has included roles within audit in the UK and New Zealand, and senior finance roles at Auckland Council, Manchester United, Mitie and the Disclosure and Barring Service. 

Jonathan Sellors, MBE
General Counsel and Company Secretary

Jonathan is an expert in intellectual property, life sciences and data protection law. He is also a Visiting Senior Fellow at the Nuffield Department of Public Health (Oxford University).

Dr Edward Sykes
Chief Communications Officer

Ed is an expert in science and health communication, particularly around risk, and is responsible for all internal and external communications from UK Biobank. He has worked in academia, industry and the charitable sectors.

Mark Conway
Chief Technology Officer

Mark is a software technologist who brings a wealth of experience over 30 years to head up the Data and Technology team.

Paul Summerfield
Director of Philanthropy

Paul is leading UK Biobank’s initiatives to secure major philanthropic support. Throughout his career, he has worked within the charity sector including senior roles at RUSI (the military think tank), the Royal Society of Medicine, Barts and The London NHS Trust, the LSE and Jewish Care.