About Us

The UK Clinical Research Facility Network (UKCRF Network) collaborates with CRFs and other experimental medicine infrastructure across the UK and Ireland to develop, share and implement excellence in operational practice to ensure the efficient and effective delivery of studies, and drive forward initiatives that improve quality of patient experience.

In partnership with all relevant stakeholders the Networks promotes the UK as the place for broader investment in and economic growth from health research.

History

The UKCRF Network was established in 2008 and is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Increased funding was awarded to Manchester University Foundation Trust for the period 2023 to 2029.

The UKCRF Network is led by a Senior Leadership and Management Team, with Work Package Leads and Deputies delivering our work programme, supported by work groups and a central operations team.

Our leaders are appointed from CRFs across the UK and Ireland utilising our expertise to drive forward actions and coordinate a national early phase research delivery platform as ‘one CRF’.

Vision

The UKCRF Network has four work packages to achieve our key objectives. These are delivered by a work package Lead, Deputy, work group Chairs, group Deputy Chairs and group members.

Through collaborative working, the UKCRF Network supports the experimental medicine ecosystem across the UK and Ireland.

Team

The UKCRF Network is led by its Director, Paul Brown with day to day operational delivery by an Operations Team. The Network’s Senior Management Team (SMT) lead the delivery of the work programme and consist of CRF and stakeholder representatives. Work Package teams deliver projects with the involvement of Work Groups made up of expert staff.

An Advisory Board has been established to advise the delivery of the work programme and priorities. The Advisory Board is chaired by Dr John Williams who has spent 16 years working with the Wellcome Trust Charity and is now the Managing Director at Birmingham Health Partners. The Board has members from across the Experimental Medicine Infrastructure.

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