The BHBIA are delighted to introduce you to our speakers for this event, please read their profiles below:

Nick Merryfield

Nick Merryfield, CEO and Head of Business Consulting at Verpora, is a driving force in merging data analytics with human performance, negotiation strategy, and customer behaviour to revolutionise value-based pharmaceutical contracting.

With a background in chemistry, Nick began his career at SmithKline Beecham. In 1999, he left the industry to pursue his entrepreneurial vision of building businesses that address the evolving needs of the life sciences sector. Over the last 25 years, his journey has encompassed business insights, market access, real-world evidence, and clinical research. Today, Nick is wholly dedicated to improving patient outcomes through Verpora, a company he co-founded in 2015.

A recurring theme throughout Nick’s career has been his work with industry leaders, helping them translate intelligence into actionable insights. Nick has an unparalleled reputation in the UK business intelligence community, having founded NHiS Ltd in 2003, which was successfully sold to Wilmington Healthcare in 2013. During this time, Nick led teams pioneering the use of NHS intelligence, Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), and Specialist Share Data (SSD) to solve some of the industry's toughest BI challenges. He also serves as a Director of the British Healthcare Business Intelligence Association and is a champion of simplifying complexity.

Neil Osmond

Neil Osmond, Director of Product and Business Growth at Prime Global, has a broad experience of commercial roles in pharmaceuticals and leadership roles in agencies but has always been an analyst at heart..

With a background in engineering, Neil began his career at pharmaceutical analytics specialist consultancy, ZS Associates. He then joined SmithKline Beecham as a business analyst before taking on commercial roles responsible for policy for hospitals and dispensing doctors. Follow a four year spell spent in HR roles, Neil moved back into analytical roles in AstraZeneca culminating in the role of Head of Business Insight in the UK.

Neil then teamed up with an old friend to launch Earthware, a digital agency specialising in healthcare websites and apps. During the early years as CEO of Earthware, Neil also held interim roles including Head of Market Research at Schering Plough and European Market Access Lead in Otsuka. After growing Earthware to 30+ people, he sold this to Prime Global in 2022 and has been working in roles responsible for product and innovation but with a particular focus on artificial intelligence.

Kate Pheasant: Director of Training & Development | MEE Consultancy Ltd

LinkedIn: Kate Pheasant

Bio: MEE Consultancy are passionate about motivating individuals, teams, and organisations to evolve and grow to exceed their goals and targets. We provide people development programmes that help companies get the very best from their people at work.

The MEE Consultancy team are highly experienced facilitators and executive coaches with a deep understanding of the challenges faced by Leadership and Management teams today. They also conduct and facilitate accredited, globally recognised psychometric assessments widely used within both team and individual development.

Speakers supporting BHBIA Professional Development do so in order to promote Thought Leadership, discussion, and innovation for the benefit of the membership. They also do this on a voluntary basis for which the BHBIA is grateful. Don't forget to provide your feedback scores for the event as these will enter the event and speakers into our annual BHBIA Professional Development Awards - recognising excellence in Thought Leadership.