Jonathan Fennelly-Barnwell has been appointed as our Interim Director of Approvals on a fixed-term basis until October 2026.
This follows Janet Messer’s departure earlier this month, to take up a senior role at the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI).
Jonathan was previously the Deputy Director of the Approvals service, a position he has held since 2018. He has significant experience in research ethics and operations, and has worked at the HRA since 2011.
Matt Westmore, Chief ExecutiveCongratulations to Jonathan on his new appointment. Our Director of Approvals is a vital role at the HRA, acting as an Executive Director on the Board and playing a key role in our work to prepare for the transformation of our digital services and the launch of Plan and Manage Health and Care Research, as well as being a key to our partnerships across the regulatory landscape.
I have worked with Jonathan for a number of years and am really pleased we can benefit from his expertise and maintain continuity in leadership whilst we recruit to the permanent Director of Approvals position, and prepare for an important and exciting year ahead.
On behalf of the HRA, I also want to wish a huge thank you to Janet, who has made a phenomenal contribution to research governance, delivery and ethics across the organisation and with our partners. We wish her all the best in her new role, and look forwarding to continuing to work with her at ABPI.
Jonathan Fennelly-Barnwell, Interim Director of ApprovalsIt’s a pleasure to take up the Interim Director position and bring my experience of leading the approvals directorate and being part of the HRA's senior leadership team to this role.
2026 is an exciting year for the HRA. In the coming months, there will be a focus on work to support achieving the government’s ambition of setting up clinical trials within 150 days by March 2026, as well as how we prepare and support the research community, our staff and our Research Ethics Committee (REC) community for the new clinical trials regulations coming into force on 28 April.