Dr. Chris Russell

Chris is part of the Senior Leadership Team for the Data for Research and Development Programme, a three-year initiative to make health data more accessible and linkable for research. He currently leads its development of Secure Data Environments. A medical doctor by background, Chris has led on health data analytics strategy and delivery for several large NHS organisations. Prior to joining the team, Chris was instrumental in setting up the Discover-NOW HDR-UK Hub for Real World Evidence, Europe’s largest linked integrated health dataset. This involved working with NHS, academic, regulatory and industry leaders in health data research to set a strategy and plan delivery of a wide range of services to get the most benefit from health data. As well as working on the Hub, Chris led data strategy work for both North West London, and London as a whole, enabling different organisations to collaborate, safely share data and resources, and derive more benefit. Chris is a medical doctor by background, having trained in anaesthetics and intensive care before moving into consultancy at KPMG. He has led on health data analytics strategy and delivery for several large NHS organisations, has been a clinical advisor to Monitor and then NHS England and Improvement, and also worked within IQVIA’s Global Real World Evidence team.