Examples

As Head of Research at Scleroderma & Raynaud’s UK, I transformed the research function to enable a patient-centric approach to scientific research. With the support of my CEO and through collaboration with our patient community, we moved from funding one response mode grant funding call to co-developing an innovative research strategy with patients, securing two high profile partnerships within the biotechnology industry, and co-funding three grant calls with partner organisations. This meant we were able to leverage our research funding budget and create three times the research output.

My programme management and stakeholder relationship experience includes delivery of the migration of 46 research groups from the former London Research Institute to the Francis Crick Institute, and management of the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership, a coalition between 7 high-income countries to understand cancer survival rates.

Testimonials

" Fatima provided exceptional research grant management services and strategic advice at a pivotal moment in the growth of our charity. Her depth of experience and expertise meant that I felt we were fully in safe hands as we sought to grow and innovate our research function.

Fatima built and sustained first rate relationships with key clinical opinion leaders, oversaw the development and delivery of new areas of research investment for us and gave valued advice on how to build our strategy for the future.

I found Fatima to be flexible, agile and extremely hard working. It was a pleasure having her as part of our team."

- Shelagh McKinlay, Director of Research and Advocacy, Myeloma UK

”Fatima first contacted me when I was Chief Scientific Officer at Alzheimer’s Research UK (ARUK). She was developing the research strategy for Scleroderma & Raynaud's UK, and was interested in understanding the investment ARUK had made in biotechnology start ups. 

I was impressed by her focus on developing a strategy that would enable the organisation to maximise its research investment for the benefit of patients. She demonstrated a balance between creative, out of the box thinking and pragmatism to ensure delivery.She understood the need for partnerships between charity and industry, and as such set out a governance process that would incorporate feedback from a diverse set of experiences.

Based on my one on one meetings with Fatima, I agreed to be a part of the Strategic Advisory Group which oversaw the development of the research strategy. It was an efficiently managed experience and one I enjoyed being part of.”

- Dr David Reynolds, CEO LoQus23 Therapeutics Ltd, former CSO Alzheimer's Research UK

”Fatima has a unique ability to see and articulate the bigger picture and at the same time translate this into practical steps to help realise the overall goal. Fatima built strong, effective working relationships across all stakeholder groups, gaining respect for her agile approach and creative thinking.

While at SRUK Fatima developed our first Research Strategy putting patients at the centre of the process to understand their challenges and needs. As a small charity we reflected on our role in driving change and how we could help accelerate progress from bench to bedside for the benefit of patients. Fatima recognised that collaboration would be the key to our success, acting as a catalyst and bringing people together from different disciplines.

Fatima forged a number of dynamic partnerships with external agencies enabling us to be more innovative. One of these projects was a sandpit we ran with the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) bringing together our community of clinicians together with bio engineers and data scientists to explore an innovative diagnostic tool prototype that could be used in clinical trials as part of the measurement of response to vital new treatments.”

- Sue Farrington, CEO of Scleroderma and Raynaud's UK