Professor Hector Chinoy

Professor of rheumatology and neuromuscular disease, honorary consultant, Salford Royal Hospital

Hector is a professor of rheumatology and neuromuscular disease at the University of Manchester, UK, where he conducts an active programme of translational research within the Manchester myositis research group, supervising PhD and Masters students. He is an honorary consultant rheumatologist at Salford Royal Hospital and co-runs a rheumatology-led neuromuscular service and myositis trials programme. As of May 2024, he has 245 publications on PubMed.

Nichola Halpin

Partner, Weightmans LLP

Nichola is a partner in the regulatory healthcare team at Weightmans and has many years’ experience in working for public sector organisations. Nichola began her legal career with Weightmans, completing her training contract and qualifying into the firm’s Healthcare department. Since then Nichola has held roles within the NHS which include the head of legal services at Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and more recently General Counsel at Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. 

Nichola has managed legal services within the NHS for over 10 years, specialising in healthcare, regulatory and advisory work. She is an experienced advisor to NHS Boards and frequently represents healthcare clients at inquests. More recently Nichola has been involved in advising on corporate governance and collaboration projects within the NHS, working with the national NHS England team. Alongside her wealth of experience in the health sector, Nichola is a member of the board of directors at Liverpool law society and sits on the advisory committee for the national Law Society. Nichola is also a trustee for the UK clinical ethics network.

Dr Rafik Bedair

Chief medical officer

Rafik joined the NCA in February 2023 from St. George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, where he was divisional chair leading a wide portfolio of services. He is a practicing consultant in intensive care medicine trained in Egypt and the UK. In 2002, Rafik was awarded an MSc in health management and has since pursued a portfolio career in clinical practice and healthcare leadership. Rafik is experienced in working within integrated care systems and operational delivery networks. He led the critical care COVID-19 response for Southwest London as one of the senior responsible officers in the wider London intensive care system and set up the Southwest London adult critical care network. He has also served as the deputy clinical director for the Pan-London adult critical care operational delivery network and led on the delegation of specialised commissioning in Southwest London.