Proton Partners International, which is currently developing cancer treatment centres in Newport, Northumberland and Reading, has made two appointments to its senior executive team (Business Insider, 2017).

Dr Ian Barwick, the former COO of the Life Sciences Hub Wales, is company’s new chief scientific officer. He will play an integral role in patient-led research.

Lis Neil has been named as chief operating officer, having formerly worked as operations director of diagnostic and specialist services at Nuffield Health and as chief executive of Vale Healthcare. She will be responsible for daily operations, such as commissioning new facilities and ensuring the quality, efficiency and safety of services offered by Proton Partners.

Mike Moran, chief executive of Proton Partners International, said “Lis and Ian both have decades of experience in health and scientific research, and I am delighted they have joined our team. Through our centres, we aim to develop a world-class cancer service as well as contribute to the broader research effort to improve cancer care for patients. We are currently building three UK centres, but we have plans for two more, and therefore Lis will be leading a team of staff to ensure the company’s goals become a reality.”

Proton Partners has recently announced plans for a research and data centre in Liverpool which will collate, analyse and distribute data from the cancer centres. It is also funding a two-year research programme with the Department of Physics at the University of Liverpool to demonstrate the efficacy of proton beam therapy and plans to run similar research projects with both Cardiff and Swansea Universities.