EMS Healthcare appoints Dr Clare Grace as Chief Executive Officer

EMS Healthcare, a leading provider of flexible medical and clinical research facilities, today announced the appointment of Dr Clare Grace as Chief Executive Officer. Dr Grace joins Cheshire-based EMS Healthcare on the 1st February 2024 from PAREXEL International, where she served as Chief Patient Officer.

This appointment is part of the company's long-term succession planning. Keith Austin, who founded the company in 2000, will continue on the board of directors and will focus on developing population health initiatives that will support EMS Healthcare's ambitious growth plans.

“We are delighted to have secured Clare as our new Chief Executive Officer” said Keith. “As our business continues to rapidly evolve, her strategic and operational experience in all phases of clinical development, including patient engagement and clinical trial diversity, aligns with our ambitions to put innovation and patients at the core of our organisation.”

Dr Grace brings more than 25 years' experience in clinical research and development. She has extensive experience leading large global teams in the pharmaceutical industry and a proven track record of developing new service provision in areas requiring significant patient and site engagement. Prior to serving as the first Chief Patient Officer in the CRO industry at PAREXEL International, Dr Grace held a series of senior leadership positions at Syneos Health, INC Research, PPD, AstraZeneca and Antisoma. In 1998 she was recognised by PharmaVoice as one of the top 100 most inspirational leaders in the pharmaceutical industry.

Speaking about her appointment, Clare said: “I am thrilled to be joining EMS Healthcare at such an exciting moment in the company’s evolution. Addressing key health equity challenges by bringing healthcare and clinical research services to communities across the country is a huge passion of mine which aligns perfectly with EMS’s vision of a future where good health is within everyone’s reach.  I look forward to leading the talented team here at EMS to deliver on that vision”.