Alastair is Chief Executive of Avacta Group plc.

He has been responsible for the management and strategic development of the company and has led the public and private M&A activities of the Group since the IPO on AIM which was completed via a reverse merger in 2006. Alastair is a respected and trusted executive with many years experience of investor relations in the UK, Europe and US and has successfully delivered multiple follow-on fundraisings for the Group totalling over £120m.

Avacta Group is developing next generation oncology drugs based on its proprietary Affimer^® and preCISION^TM platforms through its clinical stage Therapeutics Division based in Cambridge, UK. Its Diagnostics Division, based in Wetherby, UK, is developing a pipeline of diagnostic immunoassays utilising Affimer^® reagents and works with partners world-wide to develop Affimer-powered products. The Group has around one hundred employees across its two sites and a business development team in the US.

He has a degree and PhD in Physics from Manchester University and, following a period of working in the US, took up a position at Leeds University in 1995. At the age of 38 he was awarded a Chair of Molecular Biophysics and had, over ten years, grew one of the leading biophysics research groups in Europe before he left his academic career in 2007 to focus full time on delivering value to Avacta shareholders.

Tony joined Avacta from AHR, an international architecture and building consultancy practice, where he has held the role of Finance Director since 2011.Between 2007 and 2011, Tony was the Chief Financial Officer of AIM listed Fusion IP plc, an IP commercialisation company, which was subsequently acquired by IP Group plc in 2014. There, he played a key role in supporting the Chief Executive Officer in growing the business and oversaw all finance activities as well as directly supporting life sciences and health technology companies in Fusion’s portfolio.Tony has also held senior finance roles within Eversheds LLP, KCOM Group Plc, Eldon Electric Ltd and Hickson International Plc.

Craig has over 30 years experience as a CEO, COO or Chair in quoted and privately owned entities. This experience includes the implementation of growth and expansion plans where he has completed multiple transactions and integrated businesses in a career spanning life sciences, SaaS software, technology, manufacturing and distribution businesses.

Matt studied Genetics & Microbiology at the University of Sheffield and stayed on to complete a PhD in Molecular Biology with Dr Anne Moir investigating novel surface proteins of the B. cereus endospore. As part of his PhD, he completed an EMBO short-term fellowship at the Pasteur Institute in Paris with Dr Michele Mock looking at the same proteins in B. anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax. After completing his PhD, Matt took a Postdoctoral position in the Department of Biochemistry at Cambridge University with Professor George Salmond. The focus of the project was characterising a novel toxin-antitoxin phage resistance mechanism discovered on a cryptic plasmid in E. carotavora.

Matt joined Abcam in 2005 as a development scientist producing and characterising antibodies. His career at Abcam developed as the company grew to become the leading provider of research-grade antibodies in the life sciences market. He held several roles over his 8 years in the company, culminating in the post of Head of R&D.

His experience at Abcam includes building an imaging team for ICC and IHC, being responsible for managing the antibody characterisation group, running a team responsible for process improvements and QA, project managing a team of developers implementing a new LIMS system and management team of the Product Development & Manufacturing facility.

As Head of R&D, he built and ran a research group with interests in recombinant antibody/binder technologies, alternative detection methodologies, immunoassay development and antibody characterisation. His other responsibilities included contributing to M&A strategy, licensing deals and technology scouting. To support this, he completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Intellectual Property Law at the University of Bournemouth in 2012.

David brings to Avacta over 25 years international experience in business development, marketing and sales management in the in-vitro diagnostic medical devices industry, having held senior commercial and Board level positions in global corporations, angel and venture capital funded start-ups and a sector specific trade association. Following a 12 year period at Genzyme Corporation where David led the international sales, marketing and business development functions for the Diagnostics Products division, he joined US/Israeli start-up Molecular Detection as Vice President Commercial Operations to lead the commercial development of a molecular diagnostics technology platform applied to the rapid, accurate detection of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Building on his experience supporting the development of early stage businesses and technologies in the in-vitro diagnostics sector, David joined London/Boston-based specialist life sciences consulting firm Alacrita and led the development of their diagnostics consulting practice, providing both strategic and operational support to early-stage diagnostics companies entering new markets. More recently, as Head of International Sales for US-based Asuragen Inc., David led a team developing and delivering the international commercial strategy for a specialised genetic and oncology molecular diagnostic product portfolio. He is currently a Board member for two early-stage diagnostic businesses developing novel point of care diagnostic testing platforms, and has served on the Executive Committee of the British In Vitro Diagnostics Association (BIVDA). David has a BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry and Microbiology from the University of St. Andrews and a MBA from the Open University Business School.

Anne joined Launch Diagnostics in 2003 as Territory Manager after 3 years’ experience in the commercial sector and has now over 20 years sales experience in the field of in vitro Medical Diagnostics.

Anne is a graduate from both Strathclyde University and Sheffield Hallamshire University and holds a master’s degree in Pathological Sciences. Anne started her career as a Biomedical Scientist specialising in Immunology before moving into the commercial arena.

During her time at Launch Diagnostics Anne has progressed through the Sales Department to take up the position of Sales Director in 2011 and since the launch of ACCUSAY Diagnostics in 2014 Anne has been responsible for leading the Irish business. In April 2023, Anne took up the position of Joint Managing Director for Launch Diagnostics Ltd.

Ian qualified with the Business and Technology Education Council at National Certificate and Higher National Certificate level in Electronic Engineering. He first began his career at De La Rue Systems before moving to Dynatech Laboratories, now called Dynex Technologies Inc.

Ian joined Launch Diagnostics Ltd in 2000 and progressed quickly to the role of Technical Manager. In 2004 he took up the newly created position of Technical Director with a range of responsibilities managing the company’s expanding Technical Department covering the United Kingdom and Ireland and recently France and Benelux territories.

Over his 30-year career history, he has held Technical Management, Research and Development and Director roles which, has given Ian a rare blend of technical expertise and commercial skills suited to business developing within the changing field of Clinical Diagnostics. In April 2023, Ian took up the position of Joint Managing Director for Launch Diagnostics Ltd.

Cathy qualified with a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in France. She started her career in diagnostics at Fast Track Diagnostics, now part of Siemens Healthineers, after her post-doctoral fellowship.

Cathy joined Launch Diagnostics in 2015 as a Marketing Services Specialist and was instrumental in the development of the Launch Diagnostics France SAS business. She quickly progressed as Marketing Services Manager in 2016 and then onto a new role as Senior Marketing and Administration Manager in 2020. Cathy’s strong scientific background and marketing skills have enabled her to continually progress within the company. Cathy held the position of Operation Director before becoming the Managing Director of Launch Diagnostics France SAS in October 2022, leading the French and Belux business.

Veronique joined Launch Diagnostics in 2008 as Marketing Manager and has over 20 years of experience in both Sales and Marketing in the field of in vitro Medical Diagnostics and Pharmaceuticals.

Veronique is a graduate from the Ecole Nationale de Chimie, Physique, Biologie de Paris and holds a degree in Business Management. Veronique had worked in France for International companies as Biorad, Lederle Cyanamid which is now part of Pfizer Pharmaceutical and Orgentec SAS before moving to the UK to join Launch Diagnostics.

In 2011, Veronique took up the position of Marketing Director and in 2014 she began leading the French and Benelux business.

From October 2022, Veronique served as Managing Director for Launch Diagnostics and is currently consulting to the management team.