Prof Jeremy Turner appointed Lead Clinical Director for the CRN East of England
The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (NNUH) has appointed Professor Jeremy Turner as Lead Clinical Director for the NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN) East of England, which is hosted regionally by the Trust.
As Lead Clinical Director, Jeremy will ensure that the Network's activities across the East of England continue to be carried out effectively, and that funding of approximately £21 million per year is allocated to local providers of NHS and social care services to support their involvement in clinical research.
He takes up the role with immediate effect having overseen it on an interim basis since Professor Jesus Perez stepped down in November 2021. Prior to this, Jeremy had held the title of Clinical Director for CRN East of England (formerly known as CRN Eastern) alongside Jesus since the organisation’s launch in 2014.
He has also played an integral role in COVID-19 research in the region over the pandemic, including having led the recruitment of over 500 participants to the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine trial at NNUH during 2021. The Novavax vaccine was given regulatory approval by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in February this year.
In addition to his research roles, Jeremy is also a valued member of the NNUH frontline workforce, where he has worked as Consultant Endocrinologist for 13 years and is also one of two Chiefs of Service in the division of Medicine supporting the work of the Chief of Division.
He said: “I am honoured to have been appointed to the Lead Clinical Director role and look forward to the privilege of providing clinical leadership to our amazing regional Clinical Research Network. The last two years and more have shown what an incredible team we are and what we are capable of doing.
“My aim is to build on these successes and to contribute to leading us through the next set of new challenges as we work to improve inclusivity, research inequalities, our offer to under-served communities, and research in social care, multiple long term conditions and prevention as well as keeping all our historically strong areas at the top of their game. It’s going to be a busy time!”
Sam Higginson, Chief Executive at NNUH, said: “The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital is delighted to be able to officially appoint Jeremy to the role of Lead Clinical Director for CRN East of England and we are immensely grateful for all he has already done to steer this vital research organisation. We look forward to witnessing the benefits to staff, patients and the public that a future of CRN East of England under his supervision will undoubtedly bring.”
The vacancy for CRN East of England Clinical Director will be advertised in due course.
