Our senior leadership team oversee day-to-day activities that deliver our priorities.
Rosalind Campion
Chief Executive
Rosalind Campion is Chief Executive of the Academy of Medical Sciences, the independent, expert voice of biomedical and health research in the UK. Working with the Academy’s Fellowship and partners, she leads efforts to influence policy and practice, strengthen the UK’s research environment, support the next generation of researchers, and foster global collaboration and innovation to improve health.
Prior to joining the Academy, Rosalind led the Government’s Office for Life Sciences until October 2025, bringing together partners across government, the NHS, academia and industry to drive improved patient outcomes and economic growth. During this time, she led the development of the Life Sciences Sector Plan, which sets out an ambition for the UK to become the world’s third most important life sciences economy by 2035.
Rosalind began her career as a solicitor in the City before moving into government, where she held senior leadership roles across social and economic policy, including setting up and running the Sentencing Council, and holding roles in the Cabinet Office, Home Office and Department for International Trade. She also served as a senior UK diplomat, working on economic and science policy in Washington DC and Tokyo, where she led the UK’s science and technology teams in both countries.
Emma Greenwood
Policy Director
Emma Greenwood is Policy Director at the Academy of Medical Sciences, where she leads the organisation’s policy and external affairs work, shaping recommendations to influence UK and global health and science policy. She has extensive experience in health and science policy, advising organisations on complex issues and influencing decision-making across the sector.
Previously, Emma was Director of Policy and Public Affairs at Cancer Research UK, where she led campaigns spanning prevention, diagnosis and access to treatment, and supported the development of the 2015 national cancer strategy. She was subsequently Director of Health Policy, Advocacy and Public Affairs at Hanover, a strategic communications consultancy, where she provided senior policy advice to a range of organisations, including pharmaceutical, devices and MedTech companies.
Alongside her professional roles, Emma is a Governor of her local NHS Trust, a trustee of Alcohol Change UK, and has served on international advisory boards in antimicrobial resistance and healthcare-associated infections.
Nick Hillier
Director of Communications and Engagement
Nick Hillier is Director of Communications and Engagement at the Academy of Medical Sciences, where he leads the communications and engagement strategy shaping how the organisation connects with its audiences. This includes strengthening engagement with the Academy’s Fellowship, alongside its wider work with researchers, policymakers and the public.
He has over 20 years’ experience in strategic communications and engagement, working with research leaders, policymakers and communities to build trust and translate complex scientific issues for wider audiences. At the Academy, he has been a member of the senior leadership team since 2014 and has developed and led major communications campaigns to strengthen the Academy’s public profile, and embedded public and patient voices into its work.
Nick has extensive experience of media relations, crisis communications and organisational strategy, and has advised senior leaders across the research and health sector. His work has helped position the Academy as a leading voice in UK biomedical and health research, including during high-profile national debates and the COVID‑19 pandemic. He is Chair of Trustees at the Science Media Centre, supporting independent, evidence-based science communication in the UK and internationally.
Louise Knowles
Director of Research Translation and Interim Director of Research Talent, Policy and Programmes
Louise Knowles is Interim Director of Research Translation at the Academy of Medical Sciences, on secondment from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). She leads the Academy’s work to mobilise the UK health system to move discovery into practice. She has extensive experience in health innovation, regulatory science and research policy, working across government and system partners to accelerate access to new technologies and treatments.
Before joining the Academy on secondment, she was Deputy Director for the Innovation Accelerator at the MHRA, where she led work to support innovators through regulatory guidance and delivered programmes including the Innovative Licensing and Access Pathway (ILAP). She was previously Deputy Director for Research Capacity and Growth at the Department of Health and Social Care, where she led the National Institute for Health and Care Research’s translational and research delivery infrastructure and its work with the life sciences industry.
Louise has also worked in science and policy roles across government, including at the Government Office for Science and the Food Standards Agency. She has a background in microbiology, virology and public health. She works with partners across government, the NHS, industry and academia to support collaboration and deliver shared priorities for UK health and life sciences.
James Lawrence
Chief Operating Officer
James Lawrence is Chief Operating Officer at the Academy of Medical Sciences, where he leads the organisation’s operations, finance and corporate functions to support the delivery of its strategy and mission. He has extensive experience in operational leadership, financial management and organisational development across the charitable and not-for-profit sectors, with a particular focus on the life sciences.
Before joining the Academy, he held senior roles at Wellcome, where he worked across finance and innovation, including leading annual planning processes, developing impact reporting, and managing a portfolio of translational research investments. He has also advised organisations including Protas on strategy and fundraising, and most recently was responsible for operational functions at QCF, including IT and finance
James has significant experience working with boards and governance structures, and is focused on building high-performing teams, strong organisational culture and effective cross‑organisation collaboration.