The BioStrata Team

Clare Russell BSc, PhD

Co-founder & Managing Director

With a physiology, immunology and medical research background, coupled with many years in agency, Clare dovetails in-depth scientific understanding with extensive commercial insight to provide targeted and effective campaigns. She truly understands the challenges and needs of the sector from the bench scientist and PI, to the pharmaceutical executive and investor. This allows her to create informed marketing strategies that communicate the ‘true’ benefits, directly to the decision makers. Clare brings with her significant knowledge of strategy development, branding and creative development, public relations, advertising and lead generation programmes on a global level. Ultimately though, Clare is a networker and a people person whose wholehearted approach excites others. Her smile, energy, and drive make things happen for her clients, whatever their needs.

Clare has experience across a multitude of CRO/CMO, healthcare and pharmaceutical technology clients, including Thermo Fisher Scientific, WIL Research, Olympus Diagnostics (now part of Beckman Coulter), Regent Medical (now part of Molnlycke Healthcare), Dow Microbial Control, ATCC, Bioquell and Axis Shield, to name just a few, Clare is well equipped to lead winning marketing strategies across a broad range of sectors.

Paul Avery BSc, PhD

Co-founder & CEO

With over 10 years of biology experience spanning a degree in Genetics, a PhD from Cambridge University in molecular biology, medical research into the pathology of arthritis and the study of gene regulation during fruit fly development, Paul truly understands the research environment. After turning his attention to marketing, he quickly developed an in-depth understanding of what it takes to help make a success of products and services in the areas of life science and biotech. Molecular biology is one of his sweet spots, having worked with companies such as Oxford Gene Technology, Toray Inc, Plexpress and Illumina.

Paul lives and breathes marketing strategy. That’s great for both BioStrata and our clients, as we can tap into his dedication to learning about the latest tactics and use it to help drive cutting-edge programmes for our clients. When it comes to creating interesting and engaging stories, delivered in novel ways that truly capture audience attention, he’s your man. His goal is to make the expertise and value you offer so well known and respected in your industry that your customers start seeking you out… not the other way around.

Simon Guest

Client Services Director

A skilled team leader, creative thinker and strategic marketing professional, Simon has planned and delivered multimillion-dollar international marketing programmes for leading brands across a wide variety of industry sectors.  

His drive for marketing effectiveness, combined with his brand development and multi-channel communications experience, enables Simon to support BioStrata’s clients with data-driven insight, strategic planning and campaign activation to amplify their message, inspire audience engagement and optimise response.

Building and nurturing high performing teams is Simon’s mission. His primary motivation is to bring together client and agency specialists to collaborate, plan and create marketing solutions that overcome business challenges and achieve commercial objectives.

In his free time, Simon enjoys spending time with his family, travelling, supporting his football team, attempting to play golf and motivate himself to exercise.

Abby George

Content Director

As Content Director, Abby is responsible for ensuring the quality of the content we create for our clients is ridiculously good. By combining her extensive account management and writing experience, she is a multi-skilled individual who uses her proven content strategy and copywriting expertise to scrutinize Inbound marketing and PR collateral, from animations to technical trade articles.

Dedicated to delivering value to our clients, Abby works closely with the account teams to identify where we can repurpose content to improve efficiencies and help budgets go further. She also keeps up-to-date with the latest best practices and trends, such as the ever-changing requirements for SEO copywriting. Abby thrives in the busy, varied atmosphere of agency life and gets a real buzz from being able to combine her love of all things science with her passion for communication.

Adrienne Walder

Senior Marketing Specialist

Starting her career in London in one of the world’s most prestigious advertising agencies, Adrienne gained a strong grounding with a particular focus on brand positioning, advertising strategy and delivering campaigns tailored to target market behaviour. She has a uniquely rounded marketing skillset honed through working for renowned multinational advertising, media, and public relations agencies, in addition to boutique healthcare and life science marketing companies. Adrienne's skillset encompasses strategic marketing planning, brand development, market research, advertising, digital and inbound marketing, public relations, sponsorship and events.  

Melanie Williams BA, CIPR Dip

Senior Marketing Comms Specialist

With a degree in Communications and a CIPR Diploma, Melanie brings a depth of expertise to her role as a Senior Marketing Communications Specialist. Her experience spans over sixteen years during which she has delivered integrated international B2B campaigns for clients across the electrical, health & safety, life science, IT, automotive, manufacturing, and industrial engineering sectors.

Melanie is committed to understanding the specific needs and challenges of her clients and devising campaigns and strategies that deliver on their objectives. Her ‘every day’s a school day’ philosophy means she enjoys learning about new products, markets and audiences, as well as marketing strategy and best practice, which she actively shares with colleagues and clients alike (and anyone else who will listen!).

Melanie’s client-focused approach combined with her commitment to growth and knowledge make her a reliable and insightful partner to BioStrata’s clients.

Natasha Berrie BA (Hons)

Senior Account Manager

Natasha is passionate about helping clients achieve their business goals, is results-oriented, approachable and professional with a strong understanding of the client services process.

She has worked across a wide range of clients with one of her focuses being in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry. She will utilise this industry experience with her commercial background to add value and deliver the best results for her clients.’

Beth Godley BA (Hons), CIPR

PR & Content Specialist

Helen Stewart-Miller BSc(Hons), MCIPR

Senior Marketing Comms Specialist

Armed with a degree in Molecular Biology, Helen began her career at a pharmaceutical company doing molecular biology research into diseases of the central nervous system. She also managed the company’s cell culture facilities. 

On realising her wider interest in the sciences, she moved into PR and marketing where she discovered her real passion – understanding how new scientific and technical advances can be used to progress life science and sharing these with the wider research community.  

With natural curiosity in abundance and known for always asking ‘why’ and ‘what if’, Helen develops robust strategic campaigns that yield results for clients regardless of size. Prioritizing quality at every turn, she meticulously tailors messaging to the target audience(s) and seeks opportunities to optimize tactics for maximum value.

Megan Reed

Senior Account Manager

Jean-Pierre Joubert BSc (Hons)

Senior Account Manager

With a background in biological sciences, majoring in microbiology at the University of KwaZulu Natal in Durban, South Africa, JP worked as a laboratory manager in public aquaria for 12 years.

When he moved to the UK in 2016, JP went on to make a career change to product management and marketing within start-up biotechnology companies. Since then, he has brought multiple disruptive technologies to market as product manager, whilst as a marketeer managing a range of projects from marketing campaign design and social media engagements to overseeing the implementation of CRM systems.

Jake Dickens BSc (Hons), MSc

Senior Account Manager

Rachael Young BSc

Senior Account Manager

Before graduating in 2017, Rachael wrote her dissertation on personalised cancer therapies and is particularly interested in health care and the regulatory environment of the pharmaceutical industry. While studying for her degree, Rachael developed a love for communicating science to a wide audience, involving herself in science outreach projects in schools around the UK. After graduating, she taught science as a teaching assistant and tutor, inspiring her students with her enthusiasm and passion.

With her broad background in biochemistry, diverse experience in talking about complex science in an engaging way, and drive to get to the heart of the technologies and solutions advancing the industry, over the last 5 years Rachael has been utilising her skills to help her clients communicate their work effectively and make an impact in their field. 

Nicole Cox BSc, MSc

Project Manager

Nicole’s dissertation research centered around monitoring the side effects of nutritional supplements taken before and during physical activity. Following her degree, she found that her proficiency for applying a detail-oriented scientific approach was applicable to a wide range of disciplines, from procurement to customer service. Now she is utilising her diverse toolkit to help her clients maximise the reach of their marketing efforts.

Tom Hope BSc

Content Editor and Strategist

After completing his degree in Neuroscience at King’s College London, Tom worked as a research assistant at the University’s Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience. During his dissertation, Tom explored the efficacy of delayed responses to Single Pulse Electrical Stimulation (SPES) as a biomarker of the epileptogenic zone and published a short research abstract on the topic. His research poster was also presented at the 32nd International Epilepsy Congress in Barcelona. As a research assistant, Tom gained a deeper insight into the world of academic research and its associated challenges. Tom now brings his analytical mindset and natural flair for communications to BioStrata to ensure that innovators in the life science sector are engaging with their audiences in the most impactful way.

Heather Harrison BSc (Hons), MSc

Science Writer

Throughout her career, Heather has developed a keen ability to distil intricate medical and scientific information into clear, compelling content for diverse audiences. Her passion for writing and science communication drives her commitment to ensuring that critical advancements in the life sciences are communicated effectively and impactfully.

Now, at BioStrata, Heather leverages her strong analytical skills and enthusiasm for science to help clients navigate the complexities of the medical and scientific landscapes, ensuring their messages resonate with their intended audiences.

Leigh Dilley

Paid Media Manager

With over 15 years’ marketing experience, including eight dedicated to the Life Science arena, Leigh prides herself on building strong professional relationships with clients and suppliers alike to successfully fulfil objectives and deliver quality results every time. Dedicated and meticulous; from campaign planning, creative development and studio management, through to advertising, sponsorship and events, Leigh is always seeking new innovations to help drive and improve business practices and procedures whilst maintaining a tight focus on requirements.

Lauren Barham

Senior Marketing Manager

As Senior Marketing Manager, Lauren plays a leading role in managing BioStrata’s internal marketing strategy, ensuring our own marketing is as ridiculously good as we deliver for our clients.

With over a decade of hands-on​ marketing experience and a CIM qualification from the Cambridge Marketing College, Lauren’s breadth of skills includes building brands, leading marketing strategies and developing integrated campaigns across the full marketing mix.

Blending her interests in psychology with the world of marketing, Lauren is passionate about connecting audiences and driving results. Prior to joining the team at BioStrata Lauren spent nearly 4 years within the life sciences software industry managing multi-channel marketing.

Lynne Thompson ACMA

Finance Manager

Lynne’s aim is to provide BioStrata with a finance service that is efficient and effortless for all those who interact with us. She strongly believes that growing confidence in the services that finance provides is the key to a successful team. She says: “If we can do a ridiculously good job and try to get it right the first time, confidence grows and the wider team can focus on the business deliverables”. She is passionate about the positive impact a well-run finance function can bring and will strive for continual improvement through her energy and enthusiasm for success.

Caroline Barley AssocCIPD, MHFA

People & Culture Manager

Caroline has expertise in a range of HR, People and Culture disciplines. These include mentoring managers and advising on processes and procedures to ensure consistency and compliance in line with current legislation, as well as planning and implementing a HR strategy that is aligned with BioStrata’s business goals and vision.

Caroline also champions change in workplaces to encourage and promote good mental health amongst a business’ most valuable asset: its people. She does this by focusing on employee engagement and wellbeing, including mental health awareness. With experience in international business, Caroline has learnt to adapt to multicultural needs, ensuring best practice is always at the forefront. As Caroline says: “People are my passion and seeing a motivated and driven team succeeding in their roles is the biggest reward I can imagine”.