syben

About Us

Meet the team

Dr Simon Ward -SYBEN Chairman

Dr Simon Ward graduated from The London School of Pharmacy with a Joint Honours degree in Pharmacology and Toxicology. After appointment in industry (Smith Kline French, Glaxo Group Research), he went on to read for a DPhil in the Department of Human Anatomy, Oxford.

He left Oxford as an EMBO and subsequently an EC Post Doctoral Fellow, IGBMC, Strasbourg, France. Following his Post Doctoral studies he returned to Oxford as a Departmental Lecturer and set up his own, independent research laboratory, prior to joining the University of Sheffield and is now an Honorary Reader.

Simon has taken a major role in establishing the funding, infrastructure, publicity and scientific themes of the Project, and was one of the key driving forces behind spinning out Molecular Skincare LTD which has now been aquired by York Pharma Plc. Simon currently occupies the role of CSO at York Pharma retaining an Honorary Readership at the University of Sheffield. York Pharma Plc is a company which is primarily concerned with developing solutions for skin diseases.

Contact: s.ward@syben.org.uk

Lisa Pennington -Chief Executive

Lisa joined SYBEN in November 2004, working for SYBEN with local businesses and universities to strengthen existing bioscience activity within the region and to stimulate further growth.

Lisa knows the region well, graduating with a BSc (Hons) Human Bioscience from Sheffield Hallam University. During her degree Lisa completed a year in industry with Pfizer Ltd, Kent, where she worked in the Academic Liaison Department. She worked closely with local schools and colleges to encourage a greater interest in and understanding of science.

Lisa is on-hand to help existing bioscience companies and new start-ups in South Yorkshire, with issues such as promotion and commercialisation strategies.

Contact: l.pennington@syben.org.uk