Dr Nicola Hutchinson

Dr Nicola Hutchinson is chief executive officer of Health Innovation North East and North Cumbria (HI NENC) and is part of the original team that successfully secured funding and accreditation for the organisation (formerly the Academic Health Science Network North East and North Cumbria).

Since her PhD in Chemistry at Durham University, Nicola has worked in a variety of roles supporting innovation across our regional NHS and beyond, as well as supporting industry to access the NHS and co-create new products and services that can improve patient care and stimulate economic growth. Nicola ensures the smooth running of HI NENC’s regional and national programmes, and is passionate in championing the spread and adoption of innovations across the healthcare system.

Nicola acts as an advisor for innovation to the NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board and is also on the Board of Trustees for the Percy Hedley Foundation, a disability charity that supports people with complex learning difficulties and additional communication needs. She is committed to this role in memory of her brother Steven, who is the inspiration for everything that she does.