As many of you know I’m not a great user of LinkedIn, so to get so many well wishes on my retirement is amazing and overwhelming. So, a big Thank You to everyone for all your kind words and comments.
My first and big thank you must go to Chris Ramsden who brought me to my adopted home after 30 years here in West Midlands when I joined him at MEDRU (Medical Design Research Unit) a new dept in the School of Design at UCE now BCU where I worked as a Research Fellow and part time lecturer.
But my real work and journey at Medilink West Midlands began when Chris Ramsden introduced me to Tony Davis. On joining I met Michelle Dalton, and then Jujhar Singh who joined us, and then later Jo Mewis, Alison Morgan-Kimberly, Sarah Walsh (nee Wootton then) and later Zoe Heather all of which not only helped the company become what it is but also shaped me, and my work. A special shout out to all my colleagues in the then Medilink East Midlands, such as Darren, Mel, Costa and Becky, all of whom have also been a big part of the journey that I have taken. And that was before we merged East and West Midlands which is definitely worth celebrating.
Most of these people are still part of the Medilink family or are still very close relatives and they have all supported me, to do what I do, whilst making Medilink the company it is. The company is in good hands so take the time to get to know the current team, they all provide amazing support to our members.
And a heartfelt Thank You to all of the excellent innovators and businesses I have worked with over the 20 years in this sector, without you it would have been very boring. I am honoured by all the business owners, managers and teams creating interesting, innovative and dynamic products that I have had the pleasure of getting to know and support. Knowing and working with and for you over the years has been inspiring, and I will continue to watch and cheer on your successes!
Lastly, my thanks goes out to all the staff at the government and business support organisations, universities and regional NHS Trusts who have helped me, who believed in and championed the work we do to support the medical device supply chain in the UK. We are a force to be reckoned with internationally when we work together.
I trust and hope I have not missed anyone and if I have, I’m sorry as I have met so many of you it’s hard to comprehend. As Mel said: I have had 20+ great years at Medilink and I know the team will continue the work and support myself and the great and dedicated team around me have been supplying, for yet more decades to come.
So, thank you everyone and may the region’s Life Science industry continue to grow, evolve and realise its full potential and become the UK Life Science focal point that it can be. As I look forward to watching my adopted home and the Midlands regions prosper and become the home of Life Science Industries and business, it just needs to unite and work as one.
And like Arnie says ‘I’ll be back’ I’m sure and I hope to see you at the next Medilink major event.
Chris.