Reacta Healthcare’s Leadership Team brings extensive experience in commercial, clinical, manufacturing, and research
focused on improving the lives of people with food allergies
At Reacta Healthcare we pride ourselves on having a strong culture of innovation & inclusivity based on our shared mission and values.
Reacta Healthcare combines expertise from the food and pharmaceutical industries to develop, analyse, and manufacture pharmaceutical-grade food products.
The team integrates skills in food technology, analysis, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and product development, applying pharmaceutical standards to innovative food solutions.
Ashley Woodcock
Chairman
Belinda Mortell
Head of Commercial
Hayley Lett
Head of Research & Development
Jan Phillips
Head of Quality
Kevin Hawkins
Head of Regulatory
Martin Wickham
Chief Innovation Officer
Paul Abrahams
Chief Executive Officer
Pete Barnet
Head of Technical & Validation
Phil Williams
Head of Finance
Rob Barker
Chief Operating Officer
Sophie Griffiths
Head of People
Simon Thelwell-Jones
Chief Financial Officer
Stuart Callegaris
Head of Operations
Prof. Ashley Woodcock OBE
Professor of Respiratory Medicine at the North West Lung Centre and the University of Manchester as well as Consultant Respiratory Physician and Clinical Director for the Directorate of Respiratory Medicine and Allergy at the University Hospital of South Manchester.
BACKGROUND
- Co-founder & Head of Clinical Advisory Board
- Prof of Respiratory Medicine, University of Manchester
- Co-founder of the Manchester Asthma and Allergy Study
- Extensive experience in clinical research, interactions with
the pharmaceutical industry and clinical trials
He has been Chairman of the Clinical Assembly of the European Respiratory Society, and past-President of the British Thoracic Society. He was awarded the OBE in 2006 for his Chairmanship of the Medical Technical Committee to the Montreal Protocol for the previous decade. He contributed to the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007 with IPCC/Al Gore and was awarded a Fellowship of the Academy of Medical Sciences in 2008.
Paul Abrahams MD, MBA
Serial entrepreneur in the healthcare sector.
BACKGROUND
- Qualified Physician
- Seasoned healthcare entrepreneur
- Co-founded & led several businesses in the pharma, device & clinical trials space in roles as CEO, COO & CMO
- Senior roles in the investment banking & health insurance sectors
Prior to moving into the commercial world, he practiced as an emergency physician in both South Africa and the UK prior to reading for an MBA at the University of Oxfords Säid Business School where he completed his thesis with, and subsequently consulted to, Powderject Pharmaceuticals. Over the past two decades he has been involved in several start-ups in the broad healthcare space including medical diagnostics & devices, medical consumables manufacturing, clinical research and pharma logistics. These have been in diverse executive roles including founder, investor, COO and CEO. He has coordinated and raised investments for several opportunities and successfully exited a number thereof. During his career Paul has also worked as an International Consultant at Investec Bank and as a VP at Discovery Health, a leading global health insurer.
Martin Wickham BSc, PhD, MBA
Research driven Executive accomplished in senior-level management opportunities with a background in multi-disciplinary commercialisation and research opportunities within the Food and Pharmaceutical space.
BACKGROUND
- Founded or managed several life sciences start-ups in Food and Pharma space
- Head of Nutrition at Leatherhead Food Research
- Model Gut Platform Leader at Institute of Food Research
- Biophysicist – 20 yrs. experience modelling human digestion
Martin was previously Head of Nutrition at Leatherhead Food Research, UK, and Model Gut Platform Leader at the Institute of Food Research, UK. Martin is a Biophysicist with over 20 years’ experience in modelling human digestion. His research interests were centred on understanding human gut physiology, through the development of in vitro models of digestion, with particular emphasis on the human response to complex food and pharmaceutical systems. He is a BBSRC/ Royal Society of Edinburgh Enterprise Fellow, has a PhD from the University of East Anglia and has an MBA from the Durham University Business School.
Robert Barker BEng(Chem Eng)
Over 20 years’ experience in multi-national corporations as well as early stage and start-up companies
BACKGROUND
- Previously GM at Probiotec (UK & Ireland) Limited
- 15 years’ managerial experience in operations, engineering, supply chain & product development
After completing his degree in Chemical Engineering, Rob Barker started his professional career in engineering before progressing to broader management positions including operations, new product development and commercial management at a senior level. Rob previously headed the European manufacturing, sales and marketing for Probiotec Limited with a portfolio including branded and private label products within the functional foods, vitamins and minerals sectors. Rob has over 20 years’ experience in multi-national corporations as well as early stage and start-up companies. This sees him well placed to help drive Reacta forward as the business expands by installing a world class team in this exciting new area of pharmaceutical food manufacture.
Adrian Field BSc, Eng, MSc App Sci, MBA
Partner at Perscitus – lead investor into Reacta biosciences
BACKGROUND
- Partner at Perscitus – lead investor into Reacta biosciences
- Led the technology deal teams for several high-profile Family Office investors since 2012
- Truffle Capital (leading VC investor in the European markets) -jointly responsible for the Energy and Cleantech portfolio and prior to this for in the Growth Capital team of 3i
- Engineer in various high-tech industries
Adrian joined Perscitus in 2015. Prior to this he led the technology deal teams for several high-profile Family Office investors since 2012 having worked at Truffle Capital (leading VC investor in the European markets) since 2006 where he was jointly responsible for the Energy and Cleantech portfolio. Before this he worked at 3i in the Growth Capital team since 2005. Before turning to finance, he began his career as an engineer in various high-tech industries including submarine control systems and was on the core team for the EU hydrogen fuel cell bus program at Excellsis (acquired by Ballard Power Systems) where the company grew from 30 people to over 200 in 2 years. He holds a degree in Engineering (from McGill University), a Masters of Applied Science (UBC) and an MBA (EM Lyon Grand Ecole).
Mike Bakewell MBA
Works with technology-focused Welsh businesses and those looking to move to Wales to secure strong intellectual property positions as they grow.
BACKGROUND
- Partner from the Development Bank of Wales
- Focuses on business opportunities in North and Mid-Wales
- Invest in companies working in a variety of technology markets
“I work with technology-focused businesses in North and Mid Wales. I can help start-ups and early stage companies looking to develop and commercialise their ideas.”
Mark Bakewell has an MBA from the Open Business School. Joined the Development Bank of Wales’ technology venture investments team in August 2019. As a member of the Development Bank of Wales Mike is in the Wrexham HQ, where his focus is on business opportunities in north and mid-Wales. He worked in the technology venture capital sector, across Wales and the north of England, since the early 2000s and successfully invested in companies working in a variety of technology markets ranging from software to energy efficiency, through to