Management Team

Leadership. Focus. Excellence

Synexus' Management Team comprises a number of dynamic individuals who, by focussing on their complex and demanding roles, together achieve excellence.

Professor Trevor Jones CBE, ChairmanTrevor Jones

Prof. Jones has led a distinguished career in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry and, among many other senior positions was head of the British pharmaceutical industry for 10 years as Director General of the ABPI (The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry). He still holds various Board and senior positions among other leading organisations and associations.

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Michael Fort - Chief ExecutiveMichael Fort

Another member of the executive team with an impressive professional history, is Michael Fort who joined Synexus in 2001 as Commercial Director following the investment by Aberdeen Murray Johnstone Private Equity.

Before Synexus he was a director of Trinity Pharmaceuticals Ltd. He is a non-executive director of a number of private equity investment vehicles.Michael is also a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.

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Dr Ian Smith - Medical DirectorIan Smith

Dr Ian Smith spent the early part of his medical career in NHS general practice.  It was during his time as a GP that his interest in clinical research developed and inspired him to become a part-time investigator. In 1992, he established the first dedicated patient recruitment centre in the UK, which is the business model that Synexus grew from.

Over the past 15 years, Dr Smith has developed Synexus from just an idea about how the clinical trials industry could be improved and, by doing so, has attracted the interest of many of the world's largest pharma companies. 

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Jane Restorick, Executive Vice President Global Client ServicesJane Restorick

Jane Restorick joined Synexus in 2001 as the Director of Quality Systems. From 2002 to 2006, Jane led Synexus' International Operations and since 2006 she has been Director of International Projects and Planning. Jane has a strong background in clinical operations having held senior positions at Pfizer, Fujisawa Limited and Vernalis Ltd (formerly Vanguard Medica Limited). Jane began her career as a Medical School Research Assistant in Urological Research at Guy's Hospital.

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Dr Anita Sexton, Executive Vice President International Operations Anita Sexton

Dr Anita Sexton has responsibility for the management and operations of all Synexus research centres in the UK, Eastern Europe, India and South Africa.  Anita has over twelve years' experience in pharmaceutical contract research and R&D. She was previously Director of Business Strategy at Quest Diagnostics Clinical Trials (formerly SmithKline and Beecham), and had responsibility for developing and implementing long-term strategy and for assessing international market growth opportunities.

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Chris Hannigan, Executive Vice President Business DevelopmentChris Hannigan

Chris Hannigan is the Executive Vice President of Business Development having joined Synexus in 2007. Chris has extensive experience of outsourcing clinical trials across the globe having worked in the industry for 23 years. At Kendle International, one of the world's leading global clinical research organisations, Chris was the UK Managing Director. He has also held senior outsourcing positions at Roche.

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Paul McCluskey, Chief Financial OfficerPaul McCluskey

Paul McCluskey joined Synexus in September 2006. prior to this he managed a European FMCG business for a group of US private investors. Paul began his financial career with KMPG before embarking on a series of financial roles with RHM, BAE Systems and GlaxoSmithKline. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.