Our Team - Genomics

A message from our CEO

I have always believed that understanding human genetics is the key to improving medicine and healthcare.

As an academic, I was fortunate to lead and be centrally involved in many of the national and international projects working to understand the links between genetics, health, and disease. But it became clear to me that the huge advances being made in the field of genetics were not being translated to better healthcare for real people. I had been part of an extraordinary scientific leap forward, with revolutions across biological, statistical, and data science spheres. But no-one had yet applied the science – the power of genomics – in a way that would change how we approach health and healthcare.

My co-founders Professor Gil McVean, Dr Chris Spencer and Dr Gerton Lunter and I established Genomics to close that gap. Our vision is to develop and harness world-leading science in genomics to change people’s lives for the better. Genetics in medicine is not merely about rare disease or major cancer genes: it is about forging new and better ways for understanding, treating, and preventing common disease.

Together, we are working towards a world in which we can understand the mechanisms of disease well enough to produce effective and tailored medicines, and one in which we routinely identify and target those people most at risk of all the common and chronic diseases. Our vision of genomic prevention is one in which doctors and healthcare systems can deliver care before people get sick.

I’m incredibly proud to be at the centre of this transformation, and to be leading a team of the best and brightest minds in the business, all committed to delivering healthier, better quality lives for us all.

Professor Sir Peter Donnelly, CEO and Co-Founder

Leadership team

Professor Sir Peter Donnelly FRS, FMedSci

Founder & CEO

David Thornton

President

Dr. Vincent Plagnol

Chief Scientific Officer

Dr. Seamus Harrison

Chief Medical Officer

Laura Barry BSc FCA

Chief Financial Officer

Sian Jarvis CB FRCGP(H)

Chief Policy and Corporate Affairs Officer

Alex Eavis

Chief Product and Technology Officer

Sneha Bakshi

Chief People Officer

Dr. Gerald Dunstan MBA

Head of Life Sciences

James Rimmer

Head of Enterprise

Michaela Broadhurst

Head of Corporate Development

Board members

Simon Dingemans

Chairman of the Board

Professor Dame Sally Davies

Independent Non-Executive Director

Dr Jim Tananbaum

Director

Dr Sam Williams

Director

Professor Sir Peter Donnelly FRS, FMedSci

Founder & CEO

Gil McVean FRS FMedSci

Founder & Non-Executive Director

Dr Jose-Carlos Gutiérrez-Ramos

Board Member

Alex Pasteur

Board Member

Values encoded in our DNA

In genomics, precision isn't just about data—it's about values. Our core principles drive rigorous science, foster meaningful collaborations, and ensure every breakthrough serves humanity. These aren't just words we follow; they're the standards that define us, from our first hypothesis to our final impact on patient lives.

Discover our values