OUR TEAM

Gentronix Ltd. comprises a team of people who are passionate about the science of toxicology. Combined, we have decades of experience within predictive toxicology space and the SME environment and together we are committed to delivering the highest quality science, in an effective and efficient manner.

A WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE

ALAN MORGAN
ALAN MORGANChairman
As Chairman of the Board, Alan provides leadership to the Board of Directors and strategic input into the growth and delivery of the business. Alan has a wealth of experience in scaling service businesses, gained over 20 years from senior executive roles within major CROs. Alan also has extensive experience of raising growth capital and delivering buy and build strategies with support of private equity.
MATT TATE
MATT TATEChief Executive Officer
Matt has been with the business since 2006. Initially working on the development of our screening assays and earning a PhD in genetic toxicology, Matt transitioned to the commercial side of the business, working globally with clients to implement the most appropriate testing strategies for their needs. He now leads the business, developing our overall strategy and delivering our plan to build an expert predictive toxicology CRO, whilst remaining passionate about toxicology and engaging with our clients to meet their challenges.
NICK BILLINTON
NICK BILLINTONChief Scientific Officer
Nick is one of the company’s originating scientists, initially as a PhD student in the founding lab. Post-PhD, Nick led the research efforts to develop the GreenScreen® HC & BlueScreen™ HC technologies, and then the transition of the business to a CRO. Providing project management and scientific leadership, Nick implemented GLP compliance in the organisation. As Operations Director, Nick continues to ensure our commitment to expert delivery of high quality science is maintained.
JOHN YATES
JOHN YATESChief Financial Officer
John is a highly experienced Financial Director, with an extensive track record in supporting the financial management of SME sector organisations. John qualified as a Chartered Accountant at KPMG, and then spent several years in industry before establishing his own consultancy practice via which he worked at Board level for various technology-based businesses both in the UK, Europe and the USA. During this time, he has acted in a series of funding transactions and has also participated in a number of company disposals. He joined the Board of Gentronix Limited 2001, and has been Finance Director from 2004. He also acts as the Company Secretary.
LAURA HINTON
LAURA HINTONChief Operating Officer
Laura recently joined Gentronix as an Operations Director to work towards delivering ambitious growth plans as part of the senior leadership team. During the early stages of her career Laura worked as a DMPK scientist in a leading pharmaceutical company and gained a PhD in pharmacokinetics. It was the transition into a role in a specialist CRO that led to Laura developing an interest in the operational aspects of the CRO business and latterly becoming their Director of Scientific Operations. With 13 years of contract research experience, Laura’s interests now lie in the development and scaling of effective organisations to enable sustainable growth and timely delivery of high quality services.
DEREK MCFERRAN
DEREK MCFERRANChief Commercial Officer
Derek joined Gentronix in 2023 to lead the commercial efforts of the business. Derek has a career of more than 20yrs in the life science sector working within a number of drug discovery and biotechnology companies and is experienced in building successful sales teams. He has held a variety of senior operational and commercial roles including project management and business development. Most recently serving as Global Business Development Director for BioIVT, leading their global disease state sales team. Prior to this Derek was Business Development Director and board member at The Intelligent Tissue Group, a leading provider of biospecimens and CRO services. Derek has a degree in Molecular Biology from University of Glasgow and a PhD in Endocrinology from University of Manchester.
ELIAS HALKES-WELLSTEAD
ELIAS HALKES-WELLSTEADSenior Business Development Manager
Elias joined Gentronix in 2020 as a Business Development Manager, having previously worked in sales development within a genomic stabilisation devices company in Canada. Following the completion of his Masters in Genetic Toxicology and experience in the micronucleus assay and benchmark dose response analysis, Elias is well positioned to assist clients in assay selection in both a GLP and Non-GLP framework.
CHRIS MEESenior Study Director
Chris joined Gentronix in 2013 and is the Senior Study Director within the business. Chris has 45 years’ experience in Genetic Toxicology having previously worked for leading global pharmaceutical and R&D companies. Initially joining Gentronix to introduce the Bacterial Reverse Mutation Assay (Ames test) and implementation of GLP compliance in the organisation; Chris now provides expert training, guidance and mentoring to Study Directors within the company as well as leading the Ames testing activities.
JODIE BALLStudy Director
Jodie joined Gentronix in 2011 and is a Study Director for skin sensitisation testing. Having completed a PhD in cancer biology, Jodie joined Gentronix as part of the genetic toxicology screening services team, progressing to leading that team. Since 2017, she has been involved in the implementation of skin toxicology assays, for which she is now Study Director.
KATIE CLAREStudy Director
Katie joined the company in 2015 and is a cytogenetics and gene mutation Study Director. Prior to joining Gentronix, Katie worked in the Genetic Toxicology department of a leading pharmaceutical company for over 20 years, gaining extensive experience in performance and interpretation of GLP Genetic Toxicology studies.
EMMA GOODHEADStudy Director
Emma joined Gentronix in 2016 and is currently a Study Director for bacterial reverse mutation (Ames Test) assays. She is an experienced genetic toxicologist having worked for >25 years in GLP-compliant laboratories carrying out genetic toxicology assays including cytogenetic assays, the bacterial reverse mutation assay (Ames test), mammalian gene mutation and Comet assay endpoints.
JULIE HAYESStudy Director
Julie joined the company in 2018, as a Study Director specialising in cytogenetics assays. Prior to this, Julie had worked in the Genetic Toxicology Department of a leading pharmaceutical company for 26 years holding positions as a senior cytogeneticist, GLP Study Director and latterly as a Study Monitor. Julie’s current role within Gentronix is as a Study Director for cytogenetic assays and as the Project Licence Holder.
EMILY SMITHStudy Director
Emily joined the company in 2018 and is currently Study Director for Genetic Toxicology Screening. Prior to joining Gentronix, Emily completed a PhD and academic research position performing in vitro assays to screen and repurpose compounds for potential treatments of inflammatory bowel disease. Since joining the business Emily has become proficient in the range of assays carried out in the screening and skin sensitization laboratories, and now is Study Director for screening services.
JO WALKERStudy Director
Jo joined Gentronix in 2014 and is a Study Director for cytogenetic assays. Jo has over 20 years of Genetic Toxicology experience having previously worked within the Genetic Toxicology department of a leading pharmaceutical company. Since joining the business, initially as a Study Investigator, Jo progressed to the role of Study Director and now leads our screening cytogenetics team.
GARY HENZELLStudy Director
Gary joined Gentronix in March 2020 and is a Study Director for the in vitro skin irritation and corrosion tests, including GLP compliant studies. Prior to joining Gentronix, Gary worked at a leading contract research organisation for 20 years, gaining extensive experience in in vivo skin sensitisation studies, in vitro skin irritation and corrosion assays and in vitro ocular irritation testing focussing on the Bovine Corneal Opacity and Permeability test (BCOP) and the Isolated Chicken Eye test (ICE).
ELEANOR MADDERSStudy Director
Eleanor joined Gentronix in November 2020 as a trainee Study Director. After 11 months of training and the completion of her PhD in cancer biology and DNA repair, she is now a GLP gene mutation Study Director. Eleanor is also responsible for overseeing all aspects of the mouse lymphoma assay, OECD 490, here at Gentronix.
KAREN PHILPStudy Director
Dr Karen Philp joined Gentronix as a Study Director in 2021, primarily responsible for the oversight of Big Blue® OECD 488 studies. Karen has extensive prior experience as a Study Director and her GLP and regulatory writing skills acquired over the last 18 years will be an asset to the future growth of Gentronix.
HEATHER SCOTTStudy Director
Heather joined Gentronix in 2010 as a study technician, having previously completed a genetox apprenticeship at a leading global pharmaceutical company. At Gentronix she progressed to become a study investigator and subsequently a Study Director. Heather now directs skin sensitisation studies and continues to support the company through its growth and expansion in the skin field.

OUR VALUES

OUR VALUES

Our business origins are in the delivery of innovative screening products for toxicological hazard; challenging the established approach with scientific rigour. Building on our experiences of developing market leading predictive toxicology assays, we have extended our expertise to the regulatory tests for genetic toxicology and recently skin sensitisation.

We make a commitment to our clients to perform toxicology studies of the highest scientific quality; not merely to produce data, but to deliver the most appropriate data endpoints, using the right assay tools, guided by scientific engagement and experience. Furthermore, we are committed to helping our clients understand and interpret their results, supporting navigation of regulatory landscapes and management of adverse toxicology findings.

This is guided by our core values, which we apply to all the studies we perform:

  • Excellence; we strive to deliver the highest quality service using the most appropriate scientific tools.

  • Effectiveness; we aim to deliver high quality results when you need them.

  • Efficiency; we optimise our approach to deliver maximum data from minimum material.

  • Engagement; we engage scientifically to support study design through to data interpretation and management.

Our business origins are in the delivery of innovative screening products for toxicological hazard; challenging the established approach with scientific rigour. Building on our experiences of developing market leading predictive toxicology assays, we have extended our expertise to the regulatory tests for genetic toxicology and recently skin sensitisation.

We make a commitment to our clients to perform toxicology studies of the highest scientific quality; not merely to produce data, but to deliver the most appropriate data endpoints, using the right assay tools, guided by scientific engagement and experience. Furthermore, we are committed to helping our clients understand and interpret their results, supporting navigation of regulatory landscapes and management of adverse toxicology findings.

This is guided by our core values, which we apply to all the studies we perform:

  • Excellence; we strive to deliver the highest quality service using the most appropriate scientific tools.

  • Effectiveness; we aim to deliver high quality results when you need them.

  • Efficiency; we optimise our approach to deliver maximum data from minimum material.

  • Engagement; we engage scientifically to support study design through to data interpretation and management.

SCREENING & SAFETY

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Genetic Toxicology Screening

We offer a broad range of rapid turnaround screens, focussed on low test item usage, to detect and contextualise genotoxic liability early in development.

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Regulatory Genotoxicity Studies

We offer GLP Ames, mouse lymphoma and in vitro micronucleus studies that allow clients to demonstrate chemical safety and address their regulatory requirements.

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Skin Toxicology

Providing corrosion, irritation and skin sensitisation assays, we enable a comprehensive assessment of dermal toxicology potential.

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Flow Cytometry Services

Working with our clients, we utilise our flow cytometry experience and expertise to deliver a diverse range of endpoints.

Predictive Toxicology, Expertly Delivered