Board and Management

A biotechnologist with over two decades of experience in the field of research & drug development.

Deborah founded NovaBiotics in 2004. She trained as an immunologist in internationally acclaimed laboratories (University College London, UC San Diego, University of Ghent) before moving to Aberdeen and developing the clinical and commercial potential of her antimicrobial technologies, spinning NovaBiotics out of the University of Aberdeen’s Rowett Research Institute.

Deborah is a Board member of the UK’s BioIndustry Association, a Director and founding member of the BEAM Alliance (Biotechs of Europe innovating in Anti-Microbial Resistance), was a member of the Scottish Life Sciences Industry Leadership Group and served on the Boards of the Scottish Life Sciences Association and Opportunity North East Life Science/BioAberdeen. Also Chairperson of the UK’s Medicines Discovery Catapult-Cystic fibrosis (CF) Trust’s working group on antimicrobials in CF and sits on the UK BioIndustry Association’s working group on AMR.  Deborah was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 2018 and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine.  Named as one of the 20 women leaders in European biotech in 2019, one of the 30 top female leaders in UK Healthcare in 2018, one of the 15 leading women in European biotech in 2017.  In 2020, Deborah was made OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list, for services to biotechnology, industry and charity.

Mr Bryan Bodek joined NovaBiotics Board in 2009. He was previously Chairman of Trenchard Aviation and brings more than 30 years’ experience of advising public and private companies in all aspects of their business.

Bryan’s background is in corporate finance/company law and he has served on the boards of three public companies. He has significant experience in leading successful health care licensing/marketing deals and acted as Vice Chairman for University of Manchester tech transfer office for 9 years.

Bryan was 2011 Ernst & Young U.K. Entrepreneur Of The year for business to business goods and services. Qualified lawyer.

Ian joined NovaBiotics Board in 2011

Ian has over 20 years experience in the medical device sector, co-founding orthopaedic manufacturing business, Eurocut Plc, which went on to become The Medical House Plc and was floated on AIM in 2000. After many years as the Chief Executive Ian became Chairman where he remained until the successful sale of Medical House Plc to Consort Plc in 2009.

Ian qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1976 and worked with KPMG until 1979 when he set up his own practice in Harrogate. Ian is the founder and Chairman of Townsend Investments Ltd and Townsend Family Investments LLP.

Grant joined NovaBiotics Board in 2013.

He is a serial entrepreneur and Chartered Insurance Broker; most of his working life being in in the insurance and financial services sectors. Grant led the successful AIM listing of the Broker Network and its subsequent sales to The Towergate Partnership.

Grant remains a Non-executive Director of the Ellis Bates Group of companies, which he cofounded in 1980.  Grant resigned from the Assured Fire & Security Company Ltd in June 2019, following the successful sale of the business.  He also serves as a mentor to several small companies.

Malcolm joined NovaBiotics Board in October 2020.

Consultant Pharmaceutical Physician with over 20 years experience in Government and Industry Medical and Regulatory Affairs.

Malcolm has extensive experience within both Industry and Government Agencies – National and International, leading decision making in the Medical and Marketing Departments of seven of the top ten Pharmaceutical Companies + Medical and Regulatory Advisory roles to the Biotech and Generic Pharma sectors.