Announcing new appointments to our board in 2026
This spring, Health Data Research UK (HDR UK) is pleased to welcome two appointments to our Board of Trustees.
Health Data Research UK (HDR UK) is thrilled to introduce George Fairweather to our Non-Executive Board of Trustees. Alongside George’s appointment to our current board members, he will support our Audit and Risk Committee by serving as Chair.
We also welcome Ceri Williams who will serve as Board Observer. You can find out more about George and Ceri below.
About George and Ceri
George has over 20 years’ experience of leading the finance functions of major international public and private companies, both in the US and Europe.
Prior to his retirement, George was Executive Vice President & Global Chief Financial Officer of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. the US Fortune 100 multinational pharmacy retailer and wholesaler, having previously been Group Finance Director of Alliance Boots GmbH/plc and Alliance UniChem Plc. Earlier in his career he was Group Finance Director of Elementis plc (formerly Harrisons & Crossfield PLC) and Dawson International plc. He is a former non-executive director and audit committee chair of Mitchells & Butler plc.
George is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland and sits on its research panel, having previously been a member of its technology advisory group and business law committee. He holds a B.Com degree from The University of Edinburgh.
Dr Ceri Williams is Executive Director of Challenge-Led Themes at the Medical Research Council (MRC). She leads the development and delivery of MRC’s strategic programmes, ensuring the MRC challenge‑led portfolio strengthens UK research, innovation and the wider life sciences sector. Her remit includes oversight of MRC investments in data science, skills and talent, research infrastructure, and major investments such as MRC Institutes, Units and Centres of Research Excellence, alongside targeted initiatives aligned with MRC strategy.
Ceri brings extensive experience in research funding and strategic programme design, having led multiple large‑scale, multi‑million‑pound initiatives and cross‑sector partnerships. Before joining MRC, she spent more than a decade at BBSRC driving strategy and funding activities across Bioscience for Health and Transformative Technologies. She holds a PhD in Neuroscience.
