PRESENTERS

Frank Millar
CEO, CPI


Frank is a Chartered Engineer and Chartered Director, having spent his industrial career with UK engineering and project management companies delivering services to the process industries. He has 20 years of experience of technology development and deployment in the gas processing and nuclear-decommissioning sectors. He has worked in project delivery and business management roles in the UK, North America and the Middle East.

Frank joined CPI in 2015 as Operations Director and became CEO in 2020. He is a member of the CBI North East Regional Council.

Paul Found
COO, Fujifilm


Paul is responsible for all delivery operations at the Billingham site. He is a chartered chemical engineer and a lean six sigma Black Belt with over 25 years’ experience in chemical, pharmaceutical and biologics manufacturing.

Since joining Avecia Biologics in 2003 as senior process engineer, he has held various positions in engineering, business planning and project management until taking on his current role. Prior to joining the company he held various engineering positions with Monsanto Chemicals and GlaxoSmithKline.

Professor Vikki Rand
Director of the National Horizons Centre


Vikki is Director of the National Horizons Centre (NHC) at Teesside University and is responsible for leading the NHC's development as a centre of excellence for the biosciences and healthcare sectors, working in partnership with industry, the NHS and other stakeholders to ensure that provision is driven by current and planned needs for research, innovation, skills and talent.

Vikki is also a Professor of Biosciences and plays a key role supporting the full research and innovation lifecycle, from early diagnosis of diseases to manufacturing medicines with a focus on patient benefit in the Tees Valley. 

Dr Joseph Hedley
Founder & CEO, Nunabio Ltd
As Co-Founder and CEO, Joe has over 10 years’ experience in novel DNA based biotechnologies. He has developed and delivered successful sales strategies, led new business development and partnerships with SMEs, academia, and multi-nationals. Joe has also managed and led high profile (£M) and award-winning product developments with associated quality and regulatory requirements. He has also secured and managed £M10’s in UK and EU grants as well as supporting company investment to a number of SMEs.

Alex Buchan
Investment Director, Northstar Ventures

Alex Buchan is an Investment Director at Northstar Ventures and takes a seat as observer on the board of several companies. Alex has been interested in the life sciences industry since completing a PhD in Microbiology/ Biotechnology at the University of Kent. He went on to hold a number of senior commercial roles in biotechnology companies, including Compugen, SDI Europe and EnSys Europe. Prior to this, Alex worked as a Stockbroker in London.

Alex plays a key role in Northstar's partnership with Northern Accelerator, a collaboration between the North East's universities fostering spin out companies. As part of this, Alex works as a mentor and advisor to startup companies taking part. He also sits on the Newcastle University Equity Committee, supporting with its commercialisation activities.

Mark Ladyman
Assistant Director for Economic Growth, Darlington Borough Council


Since 2003 Mark has worked in a number of local authorities at a corporate level. He is currently working for Darlington Borough Council as Assistant Director for Economic Growth. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Mark is responsible for Business Growth and Regeneration, Council Assets Portfolio, Planning and Development Management, Capital Projects, Environmental Health and Building Control. Mark is also the lead officer for the Council’s Climate Change agenda. He has been responsible for the development and delivery of numerous investment strategies and growth plans in various locations across the country which have transformed town centres and surrounding areas attracting new investment and encouraging growth. More recently Mark has secured £25m for Darlington’s Town Fund, led the adoption of Darlington’s Local Plan and has been lead Council officer in the establishment of the  Darlington Economic Campus.