The government has announced the appointment of Lawrence Tallon as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
He will succeed Dame June Raine DBE who is retiring and has led the organisation since 2019, having steered MHRA through the COVID-19 pandemic and the UK’s exit from the European Union.
Mr Tallon is currently Deputy Chief Executive at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, where he has served since March 2020. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to healthcare innovation and patient safety.
He was also Managing Director of the Shelford Group, which represents some of England’s leading NHS teaching hospitals. This experience has given him valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities facing modern healthcare systems.
Prior to this, Mr Tallon served as Director of Strategy, Planning and Performance at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust and worked within the Department of Health and Social Care alongside ministers and NHS leaders.
Mr Tallon will lead the organisation’s work to accelerate patient access to innovative medicines and medical devices while maintaining the highest standards of safety and effectiveness.
Professor Anthony Harnden, Chair of MHRA, said: “I am delighted to welcome Lawrence Tallon as the new MHRA Chief Executive.
“Lawrence is an impressive leader who brings with him a wealth of experience from across the healthcare sector, nationally and globally. I look forward to working with him to maintain the UK as a global centre of excellence in life sciences and strengthening safety systems in the best interests of patients and the public.
“I would also like to give enormous thanks to Dame June Raine, who is handing the baton on to Lawrence after more than 5 years of being MHRA CEO and nearly 40 illustrious years at the agency. June’s leadership and unwavering commitment to patient and public health cannot be overstated.”
Richard Torbet, Chief Executive of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), commented: “Warm congratulations to Lawrence Tallon on his appointment into this critical role. The agency plays an important role in protecting public health and bringing innovative medicines to patients. Our industry looks forward to working with him as he leads the MHRA through this next phase of evolution.
“The life sciences sector in the UK is at a critical point, and regulatory reliability and predictability remain a top priority for us. A strong, agile regulatory framework will be essential in enabling timely access to medicines while maintaining the highest standards of quality, safety and efficacy.
“I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to Dame June Raine for her dedicated leadership and service to the MHRA and our industry. Her unwavering commitment to public health, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, has been of huge significance in shaping the UK’s regulatory landscape. We are grateful for her contributions and wish her all the best for the future.”
