About ImproveWell

Nicola McQueen was appointed as CEO of NHS Professionals, the largest temporary staff supplier to the National Health Service, in September 2019; she had joined NHS Professionals as interim COO in January 2019. She is passionate about workforce business issues, having spent the past 20 years supporting and creating effective staffing strategies across both the private and public sectors. McQueen is also CEO of Doctors Direct, the locum service from NHS Professionals. Most recently, she led NHS Professionals through the coronavirus pandemic, successfully attracting tens of thousands of healthcare professionals into the NHS.

Claudia is a digital and marketing specialist with some 24 years’ experience across B2B, clinical and consumer marketing. Most recently, Claudia launched a digital platform for early-stage innovators in medtech, leading a multi-disciplinary team to take the concept from blank page to fully-formed product with extensive customer reach and collaborations with major industry stakeholders. Prior to this, she launched a multi award-winning digital magazine app for Harrods. Claudia holds a Join Honours BA degree in French and German, and a number of marketing and digital qualifications.

Since graduating from Cardiff University in 2017, Alex has been deeply passionate about the world of healthcare, and specifically in improving healthcare systems through digital platforms. Alex’s sales career began when he was selected from a graduate programme to join an account management team. During these years, he worked closely with stakeholders across NHS Trusts to transform the way they communicate with patients. Alex has a natural ability to connect with customers and understand their specific business challenges, helping advise on the adoption of new and innovative technologies.

Lara co-founded ImproveWell in 2016 to empower frontline healthcare professionals to drive change. ImproveWell’s digital platform aggregates data, completes feedback loops and facilitates shared knowledge. In three years, the technology is being used across the NHS, and in the USA and New Zealand. She is an experienced executive having previously spent 11 years in a variety of senior roles across healthcare specialist investment, biopharmaceutical, life sciences consulting and financial services businesses. Lara holds a first class degree in Pharmacology from Bristol University where she was awarded the Hans Heller Memorial Prize for outstanding performance. In November 2017 she was named a “rising star” among the top 50 female leaders in UK healthcare by BioBeat and in April 2019 was appointed as the British Medical Journal’s first Entrepreneur in Residence.

John brings a wealth of technical expertise to ImproveWell with more than 20 years of experience in software development and product management. Most recently, he was Chief Operating Officer of ag-Grid, a fast-growing UK-based technology company, where he led the growth and support of a global customer portfolio and significantly expanded business operations. John holds a BSc in Economics and Finance from University College, Dublin.

Ben brings over 10 years of Customer Success/Client Experience expertise to the ImproveWell Team. Ben started his career at Groupon, before moving to a Google Ventures backed Marketing Technology start-up. Most recently, he spent four years within the Education Technology industry, where he led a global Customer Success team with a key focus on product uptake and expansion. Ben holds a BA in English Literature from the University of Surrey.

Shannon is our digital marketing assistant. Specialising in design, motion graphics, brand and social media, Shannon graduated from the University of Surrey with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Digital Media Arts. She has experience in animation, film, illustration and graphic design. Shannon has previously worked on a series of creative projects, including an animation that was selected for the Paris Lift-off film festival and a finalist at the Florence Film Awards. Prior to joining the ImproveWell team, Shannon was an illustrator and designer for a mental health organisation, responsible for their logo and mascot rebrand in late 2020. In her spare time, she enjoys travelling, trying different cuisines and watching sit-coms.

Na’eem completed Academic Foundation Training at King’s College Hospital and thereafter worked as a Clinical Fellow to the former NHS National Medical Director, Professor Sir Bruce Keogh. Na’eem is currently a Radiology Specialty Registrar in London. Na’eem is a former Editorial Board member of Clinical Medicine. Na’eem has served as an advisor to the Mayor of London’s Team London and as a Trustee at Macmillan Cancer Support. He is Founder of social enterprise, Selfless.

Bernardus is a qualified finance professional with over 20 years of dedicated and results-orientated experience, providing strategic direction, financial management and advisory services to a variety of organisations from corporate to owner founders, start-ups and PE/VC backed businesses. He has a proven track record in fast growing tech, SaaS and digital environments with extensive experience in managing Finance teams, HR and operational functions associated with start-up and fast-growing businesses. In addition to being a qualified accountant Bernardus holds an honours degree in finance from the University of Pretoria.

Amy is a successful sales and marketing professional with more than 20 years’ experience across multiple industries, including event management, live music, healthcare and health tech and robotics. Having led B2B sales and marketing teams within corporate businesses, she moved to supporting the marketing and operations functions of start-ups. Amy is a true allrounded and is our Executive Assistant and multimedia production specialist, providing support in both administrative tasks and content production. Amy’s hobbies consist predominately of walking her dog and riding her horse, but she can also often be found globetrotting, at music festivals or playing video games.

Emma is Data Protection and Freedom of Information Practitioner with a Post Graduate in Information Rights Law and Practice. Currently completing a masters in Information Rights Law and Practice with focus on algorithmic decision making and the impact on privacy.

Emma specialises in complex, multi-agency information sharing projects, transparency/fair processing campaigns, data protection impact assessments, liaising with Information Commissioner, information risk management, HIPAA to GDPR gap analysis and compliance projects.