meet the leadership team
Mike Denis
Co-founder & Chief Executive Officer
Mike brings an impressive track record of over 30 years in spearheading transformative digital and informatics programs within the NHS. With his extensive experience, he has held notable positions such as the Director of Information Strategy at both the Oxford Academic Health Sciences Centre and the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.
One of Mike’s notable achievements includes initiating and leading the UK-CRIS (Clinical Record Interactive Search) program, a groundbreaking endeavor under the National Institute for Health Research. Through his strategic leadership, Mike secured significant funding and support from the NIHR and Innovate UK, paving the way for the successful commercialization and launch of Akrivia Health.
Under Mike’s guidance, Akrivia Health has thrived, capitalizing on a positive Series A funding round. This injection of capital has empowered the company to drive ongoing value for both the NHS and the industry at large. Through innovative solutions and a commitment to excellence, Akrivia Health continues to make significant contributions to the healthcare ecosystem.
With his wealth of expertise and a proven track record of delivering successful digital and informatics programs, Mike plays a pivotal role in driving the strategic direction of Akrivia Health. His visionary leadership ensures that the company remains at the forefront of healthcare innovation, empowering organisations to harness the power of technology for improved patient outcomes and industry advancements.
David Newton
Co-founder & Chief Operating Officer
David is a dynamic individual who blends a unique entrepreneurial spirit with a wealth of expertise in Information Governance, honed over a remarkable 15-year career. His journey has encompassed diverse roles in clinical, academic, and senior management capacities within the NHS.
David’s pivotal involvement with NHS Mental Health Trusts proved to be transformational. His invaluable experience led to the successful establishment of the widely acclaimed Clinical Record Interactive Search (CRIS) Programme. This groundbreaking initiative was delivered to 12 Mental Health NHS trusts as part of a substantial £3M program funded by the MRC (Medical Research Council). The CRIS Program has since become popular and continues to make a significant impact in the healthcare landscape.
Driven by his passion for innovation and progress, David has been instrumental in raising substantial funds for Akrivia. Through a strategic combination of investments and grants totaling over £11M, as well as through astute commercial deals, he has furthered the company’s value by an impressive £16M.
David’s exceptional blend of entrepreneurial acumen and deep expertise in Information Governance makes him an invaluable asset to Akrivia and its strategic partners.
Tina Marshall
Head of Commercial
Tina is a highly accomplished and experienced commercial leader who has made a significant impact in the medtech sector for over 25 years. Having worked with renowned organisations such as Becton Dickinson, KCI Medical (3M), and ICNet (Baxter), Tina possesses a wealth of expertise in driving success with revenues ranging from £1M to £35M. She has a proven track record of launching new businesses, building commercial capability, and achieving impressive first sales. As a dynamic leader, Tina takes charge of the end-to-end customer journey, leading Sales, Marketing, and Customer Success. Her unwavering passion for driving innovation in healthcare has fueled her success in leading teams, expanding markets, and maximising revenue growth. With her strategic thinking, exceptional business acumen, and profound industry knowledge, she excels in navigating complex regulations and identifying emerging trends.
Tina firmly believes in the power of collaboration, individual empowerment, and creating inclusive work environments. She actively advocates for women in leadership, recognising the value of diversity and its role in driving innovation and improving patient outcomes.
Benjamin Fell
Head of Research
Ben spearheads the Research & Development team at Akrivia Health, bringing with him a strong academic foundation in experimental psychology. Over the past 5 years, he has been deeply immersed in harnessing the power of real-world administrative data to drive advancements in research, policy-making, and frontline services.
Within Akrivia, Ben assumes a pivotal role in leading the development program for natural language processing within the AI team. His expertise and guidance ensure the continuous enhancement of our capabilities in this crucial area. Additionally, he provides oversight for the data science activities pertaining to our clinical trial support and consultancy services, ensuring that they are grounded in sound scientific principles.
Ben’s personal research interests revolve around utilizing real-world data to bridge the gaps that exist in mental health research, particularly focusing on translational aspects. He also explores the vital topics of social determinants of health, health inequalities, and the ethical and privacy considerations associated with the application of AI.
With Ben at the helm of our Research & Development team, Akrivia Health remains at the forefront of innovation, leveraging data-driven insights to drive meaningful change in the healthcare industry.
Andrew Fry
Head of Data Engineering
Byron Tibbitts
Head of Programming
Byron is a highly skilled project leader, holding a PRINCE2 certification, and boasting a wealth of experience in successfully delivering complex projects. With over 13 years dedicated to managing research projects and programs within the realm of public health research, Byron has delivered research programmes with prestigious institutions like the Medical Research Council and Bristol University.
Driven by a deep-rooted passion for fostering positive transformations at both individual and population levels, Byron thrives on leveraging research innovation and its practical application. His strategic mindset and meticulous attention to detail ensure the seamless execution of programs. Byron’s commitment to following a process-driven approach guarantees optimal outcomes in project delivery.
Whether it’s spearheading cutting-edge research initiatives or facilitating impactful changes in healthcare practices, Byron’s expertise and unwavering dedication make him an invaluable asset to any team.
Simon Pillinger
Head of Governance, Ethics, & PPI
Simon embarked on his professional journey by immersing himself in the realm of NHS patient experience, where he honed his skills and understanding of the healthcare landscape. Eager to explore new horizons, he dived into the dynamic field of data protection, marking the beginning of an exciting chapter in his career.
With a diverse background that includes working in acute NHS settings and residential social care, Simon has gained invaluable experience in navigating complex environments. Notably, he played a pivotal role in rapidly deploying cutting-edge digital technologies during the challenging times of the pandemic.
In 2020, Simon joined Akrivia, bringing with him a wealth of expertise in governance oversight and regulatory compliance. His profound understanding of the intricacies of compliance requirements enables him to ensure that Akrivia operates in accordance with the highest standards. Additionally, Simon leads our PPI Group, where he champions the vital involvement of patients and the public in shaping our organisation’s strategies and initiatives.
With his guidance and expertise, we continue to provide exceptional services while fostering a culture of inclusivity and patient-centricity.
Will Marr
Head of Finance
Will is a chartered accountant, having qualified with a Big Four firm in London in the 1990s.
He has worked in a variety of businesses, and held a range of senior finance positions.
Will has been finance director for many years, helping companies grow and become more profitable. He has worked with a portfolio of successful and ambitious companies to enable them to become more profitable and structured for future growth.
In particular, Will works in both the bio-tech and SaaS fields, with good experience of helping raise investment, managing cashflows, controlling finances and directing teams.