Dr Rowena Sharpe (Research)Managing Director of Research and Innovation
Dr Rowena Sharpe is Managing Director of Research and Innovation at University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB). She is a recognised leader in clinical research and innovation, with a track record of delivering nationally significant programmes that have advanced precision medicine, accelerated clinical trials and improved patient access to innovative treatments. She also serves as Co Chair of the University Hospitals Association Research and Development Directors Group, helping to shape the national research and innovation agenda across the UK university hospital sector.
Rowena's career has spanned leadership roles across Cancer Research UK, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, the University of Birmingham and AstraZeneca. Throughout this time, she has worked at the forefront of precision medicine and clinical trials, leading programmes that have transformed the use of genomic testing in cancer care and strengthened the UK's position as a leading destination for clinical research.
Before joining UHB in 2025, Rowena was Director of Site Management and Monitoring for Oncology at AstraZeneca, where she led UK cancer trial start up activity across the company's global network. Earlier in her career, she led Cancer Research UK's nationally recognised Stratified Medicine Programme and played a key role in the National Lung Matrix Trial, helping to improve access to targeted therapies and personalised approaches to cancer treatment.
At UHB, Rowena leads the Trust's research and innovation strategy, working to expand opportunities for patients to participate in research, strengthen partnerships across the NHS, academia and industry, and translate scientific advances into meaningful improvements in healthcare and patient outcomes.