Archives: Speakers

Kieran is an AI and Data Ethics Manager at NatWest. He has 17 years experience working at the bank, primarily in a Risk and Control role where he has supported with the safe implementation of changes to key digital services such as online and mobile banking, as well as the AI chatbot Cora. Over the past year he has been working in the newly formed AI and Data Ethics team who support to ensure the banks development and deployment of AI is aligned with the banks AI and Data Ethics Code of Conduct, as well as enhancing the internal policies, processes and governance to be compliant with AI related regulations, such as the EU AI Act

Simon is a manager in the AI and Data Ethics team at NatWest Group. He has spent just short of a decade in the financial services industry, covering various roles from customer engagement to financial crime policy. He is primarily responsible for responding to new and emerging AI regulation, guidance and industry best practice with a focus on the implementation of the EU AI Act

Claire graduated with an MEng in Chemical Engineering and went on to complete a PhD on the topic of heterogeneous catalysis for Biodiesel production. She then spent 13 years working in various process development roles at AstraZeneca including specialisations in filtration and continuous processing. From there, Claire moved to CPI’s Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre where she is now the Oligonucleotides Grand Challenge Lead, managing a portfolio of projects including Grand Challenge 3 – Sustainable and Scalable Oligonucleotide Manufacturing.

Having joined MMIC in 2021, Barrie has responsibility for creating and delivering their portfolio of innovation projects, including clinical trial supply, continuous direct compression, and oligonucleotide manufacturing Grand Challenges.

Prior to MMIC, he spent 21 years working for GSK in pharmaceutical manufacturing, mostly in technical leadership roles, including over 10 years as Technical Director at a manufacturing site.

Barrie has a BSc in Biotechnology from the University of Birmingham and PhD from the University of Sheffield.

He co-founded GroWize to support growing and mid-tier audit firms in the UK and US, helping them address talent shortages and audit quality challenges – issues he encountered firsthand during his own professional journey.

A qualified Chartered Accountant with over 14 years of experience in external audit, Kamlesh has worked with global clients across the UK, US, Europe, India, and Australia. Having been part of leading firms like Grant Thornton, KPMG, and PwC in both the UK and India, he has experienced firsthand the journey large firms have navigated over the past decade—including the challenges they faced. Through GroWize, he is now focused on helping growing and mid-tier firms overcome those very challenges with smarter, scalable solutions.

His expertise spans multiple industries – supporting high-growth start-ups, mid-sized enterprises, and multinational corporations through intricate audits under UK and US GAAP, IFRS, and Ind AS. With a strong track record of leading complex group and component audits, Kamlesh consistently delivers quality, compliance, and strategic insight.

He has built and led high-performing audit teams across regions, effectively navigating cultural nuances to drive collaboration, enhance efficiency, and deliver long-term value.

Dr. Meinhart is a strategic technology advisor to Greentank and a professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of California – Santa Barbara. He completed his PhD and Postdoctoral work at the University of Illinois in 1995. Since moving to UC-Santa Barbara in 1996, his research has focused on developing microfluidic devices and exploring their fundamental transport mechanisms. Dr. Meinhart is a fellow of the American Physical Society and has co-authored over 160 publications

In 2012, Dr. Meinhart founded Numerical Design, a company with expertise in microfluidics and microfabrication. Numerical Design pioneered the application of microfluidic-based chips for vaporizer cores. Dr. Meinhart served as CEO of Numerical Design until it was acquired by Greentank in 2023.

Since joining Greentank, Dr Meinhart advises on research and development of Greentank’s advanced heating chip technology. His expertise is pushing the boundaries of the chip and its potential applications within the inhaled delivery vertical.

Dr. Liz O’Brien MB.,BAO.,BCh.,DME.,DCH.,Dip Pharma Med.,MRCGP brings over 25 years of experience in the life sciences industry, with a proven track record across executive medical affairs, clinical development, commercialisation, market access, and lifecycle management in both large and small pharmaceutical companies. Her leadership spans national, regional, US, and global levels, with extensive experience in regulatory engagement worldwide.

A former member of the EMA’s Efficacy Working Party and clinical assessor for the Irish national agency, Dr. O’Brien has played a key role in shaping industry efficacy guidelines and regulatory strategy. Recognised as a subject matter expert in oncology, she has led major drug development programmes, most recently serving as Chief Medical Officer for a breast cancer initiative in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute’s site networks. She also brings deep operational insight from her 3.5 years with ICON Drug Development Solutions.