Skip to content

Trustees and senior team

Life's iconic logo is featured at the entrance to the science centre.

Trustees and Non-Executive Directors

Life is governed by a Board of Trustees, drawing on the experience and expertise of senior figures from different industries. Together they ensure that Life fulfils its purpose, and continues to respond to the needs of the region. With backgrounds including pharmaceuticals, startups, education and politics, they ensure that Life inspires many different audiences, and explores fresh ideas from different perspectives.

Life’s Commercial Company is a subsidiary of the Trust and is charged with overseeing Life’s commercial activities, to ensure that they generate the maximum income to enable the Trust to carry out its charitable objectives.

Chair of the Board

Angel Investor and Founder of Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Businesses

As a North East entrepreneur who founded a successful pharmaceutical manufacturing business, Fiona brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the Life team.

Fiona Cruickshank OBE

Fiona Cruickshank OBE is Life's Chair of the Board.

Trustees

Jane Robision is a Centre for Life Trustee

Professor Jane Robinson DL

Pro-Vice-Chancellor – Engagement and Place

Mark Ryan is a Centre for Life Trustee

Mark Ryan

Chief Product Officer, Pavlov

Dr Laura Strain is a Centre for Life Trustee.

Doctor Laura Strain

Executive Director, Virgo Health 

Lucy Winshell is a Centre for Life Trustree.

Lucy Winskell OBE LL

Lord Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear, and Chair of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership

Louise Hunter MBE is a Centre for Life Trustee

Louise Hunter MBE

Group Director of People and Corporate Services, Northumbrian Waters

John Downes is a Centre for Life Trustee

John Downes

North East Area Director and Head of Youth, Street Games

Tracey Stonehouse is a Centre for Life Trustee

Tracey Stonehouse

Director of Finance, Procurement and Compliance, CPI

Mathen Ganesan is a Centre for Life Trustee.

Mathen Ganesan

Executive Vice President of Intellectual Ventures (IV) Invention Investment Fund

Non-Executive Directors

Fiona Cruickshank OBE. the International Centre for Life's Chair of the Board, pictured in front of the science centre.

Fiona Cruickshank OBE

Angel Investor and Founder of Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Businesses

Linda Conlon MBE DL, International Centre for Life's Chief Executive, pictured in Life Science Centre's Space Zone.

Linda Conlon MBE DL

Chief Executive, International Centre for Life

John Seager is a Centre for Life Non-Executive Director.

John Seager

Director, Broadoak Asset Management

David Griffiths is a Non-Executive Director at The International Centre for Life.

David Griffiths

Director, GPLI Ltd

Honorary Presidents

Alastair Balls is Centre for Life's Honorary President

Alastair Balls CB DL

Honorary President

The Right Honourable Viscount Ridley is a Centre for Life Honorary President

The Right Honourable Viscount Ridley

Honorary President

Professor Ian Fells is a Centre for Life Honorary President

Professor Ian Fells CBE

Honorary Vice-President

Senior Management Team

Chief Executive

Part of the original team who transformed a derelict Newcastle area into a thriving science hub, Linda is now one of the most respected figures of the science engagement world.

Linda Conlon MBE DL

Linda Conlon MBE DL, International Centre for Life's Chief Executive, pictured in Life Science Centre's Space Zone.
Claire Adams is Centre for Life's Chief Operating Officer.

Claire Adams

Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Chief Executive

Julia Hankin is Centre for Life's Marketing Director.

Julia Hankin

Marketing, Communications and IT Director

Kate Little is Centre for Life's Finance Director

Kate Peel

Finance Director