John has extensive experience in the life sciences sector. He is the former Chairman of BTG plc, CXR Biosciences Ltd and current chairman for Cell Therapy Catapult Centre, a non-executive Director of Vectura Group plc and Axis-Shield plc, and was a Director of Cambridge Antibody Technology plc until its acquisition by AstraZeneca.
In the public sector he Chairs the Roslin Foundation , co-Chairs the Life Sciences Industry Advisory Board for the Scottish Government and is a non-executive Director of the Technology Strategy Board. He is an advisor to several private equity and venture capital funds, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and Honorary Professor of the University of Edinburgh. Until Dec 2003, John was Chief Executive of Acambis plc, a leading producer of vaccines to treat and prevent infectious disease. He joined Acambis as Finance Director in 1995 and was appointed CEO in 1997.