Double appointment – NHRP welcome new Director and Chief Operating Officer

We’re delighted to announce new leadership for Newcastle Health Research Partnership (NHRP).  

Professor Quentin M. Anstee has been named Director, effective 1 August 2025, as Pro Vice Chancellor for the Faculty of Medical Sciences. 

He will be joined by Martin Dixon, who has been appointed Chief Operating Officer and will assume his role on 15 September 2025. 

Introducing NHRP’s new Director

Professor Quentin M. Anstee

Quentin first joined Newcastle University in 2010, returning to his native North East from London where he had trained at UCL, received his PhD from Imperial and completed his specialist clinical training as a Hepatologist.

Previously Dean of Research & Innovation, and currently the Ruth & Lionel Jacobson Chair of Personalised Medicine, he has a strong track record of working in medical science and across disciplines. A practising clinician, Quentin’s translational and clinical research has extended from the bench to the bedside with particular focus on the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of Metabolic-dysfunction Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD). He is also an NIHR Senior Investigator and has been named as one of the world’s most influential researchers in the Web of Science list of Highly Cited Researchers, amongst the top 1% of scientists by citation metrics.

As Director of NHRP, Quentin will oversee the strategic direction of NHRP in line with the 2025-2028 Strategic Plan. Ensuring the partnership collaborates to translate cutting-edge research into excellent patient care and support world-class training and education with a focus on public partnerships.

On his appointment, Quentin said “I’m delighted to be to taking on the role of Director of NHRP. NHRP is a strong and ambitious collaboration. Working together, we have an unparalleled opportunity to harness our region’s strengths in clinical and translational science to improve patient outcomes and reduce health inequalities. I look forward to working with our partners and stakeholders across the region to continue to build on NHRP’s successes, strengthen our research partnerships, and ensure our work continues to deliver tangible benefits for patients and the public.”

Introducing NHRP’s new Chief Operating Officer

Martin Dixon

Martin will take on the role of NHRP Chief Operating Officer alongside his existing role as Chief Operating Officer of the NIHR Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre.

Martin began his career in the banking industry and worked in a range of investment, operations and commercial roles. He joined Newcastle University in 2016 with responsibility for a number of clinical research facilities across the partnership with Newcastle Hospitals, including the NIHR Newcastle Clinical Research Facility, the Clinical Ageing Research Unit and the Newcastle Clinical Trials Unit. Since 2018, he has been Chief Operating Officer of the NIHR Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre, a £25.8m centre, delivered in partnership by Newcastle Hospitals, Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust and Newcastle University. This partnership brings together world-leading researchers and clinicians to turn early scientific breakthroughs into potential new treatments, diagnostics and health technologies for patients.

On his appointment, Martin said “I’m delighted to be taking on this important role and to being able to help the partners build on NHRP’s success to date and drive forward its ambitious plans. NHRP has a vital role to play in bringing together the right people, at every level, across its five partners to catalyse and build collaborations, so that we can accelerate the translation of the region’s world class research into impact for patients and our wider communities. Continuing in my role with the NIHR Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre will enable me to bring valuable insights and connections into NHRP, helping to align regional research strengths and maximise impact across both partnerships.”