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John Illingworth
Company Chairman at Illingworth Research Group
Professional Background
John Illingworth is an accomplished professional with over 30 years of expertise in clinical research and management, making significant contributions to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors. He began his career at ICI Pharmaceuticals, which later became AstraZeneca, and quickly established himself as a valuable player in the field. Following his tenure at ICI, John took on various roles at Serono, gaining vital experience that would set the foundation for his future endeavors.
In 1996, John transitioned to a freelance model as a Clinical Research Manager, a move that showcased his ability to adapt to the evolving landscape of clinical trials. Two years later, in 1998, he founded Clinical Development and Support Services Ltd (CDSS), demonstrating his entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to excellence in clinical research management. Under his leadership, CDSS flourished, providing critical support to the biotech, pharmaceutical, and medical device sectors.
Recognizing the importance of education in shaping future professionals in the field, John spent ten years teaching at Liverpool John Moores University, where he instructed on the MSc in Clinical Research, as well as Diploma and Certificate courses. His dedication and contributions to the university have made a lasting impact, and he continues to serve as an honorary lecturer there. His involvement in the academic community underscores his belief in the importance of knowledge sharing within the industry.
John's role went beyond teaching; he was actively engaged in the broader clinical research community, serving for six years on the executive committee of the Association of Clinical Research in the pharmaceutical industry, now known as the Institute for Clinical Research. Through his dedication and hard work, he was awarded an Honorary Fellowship, recognizing his significant contributions and impact on the industry.
Education and Achievements
In pursuit of his career advancement, John earned a Diploma in Company Direction, Business Studies, and Finance from The University of Salford. This educational background provided him with the essential skills necessary for successful business management and strategic decision-making.
Additionally, John obtained an MSc in Clinical Research from the University of Wales, Cardiff, equipping him with the latest theoretical knowledge and practical application relevant to the clinical research landscape. This combination of education has been pivotal in enabling him to lead organizations effectively and foster growth in the complex world of clinical research.
As he expanded CDSS, John oversaw the strategic transition of the company in 2011 to become Illingworth Research Ltd and ResearchNurses.co. This pivotal change allowed both companies to sharpen their focus—focusing on clinical trial management and the dedicated supply of research nurses, respectively. This strategic realignment has positioned his companies as leaders in their niches within the industry, further signifying his forward-thinking approach and understanding of market dynamics.
Achievements
Throughout his illustrious career, John Illingworth has garnered respect and recognition within the clinical research community. He has established himself as a thought leader, particularly in early-phase drug development and medical device studies. His extensive experience with Phase I clinical trials, which involve the initial testing of new drugs on human volunteers and patients, has equipped him with unparalleled insight and expertise crucial to the success of clinical research projects.
Under John's leadership, Illingworth Research Group has become a prominent name in the UK, known for its reliable and innovative services in clinical trial management. The company's nursing division has emerged as the leading independent supplier of research nurses in the UK, showcasing John's ability to identify and exploit market opportunities effectively.
In addition to his corporate achievements, John's commitment to education and mentorship has contributed to the future of the clinical research field. By nurturing students and young professionals, he ensures that the next generation of clinical researchers is equipped with the knowledge and skills to thrive in a rapidly changing industry.
Overall, John Illingworth's extensive career combines deep industry knowledge with a passion for education and a visionary approach to business management. His long-standing relationships within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device industries are a testament to his dedication and effectiveness in improving clinical research practices. As a result, John continues to be a significant voice and leader in the field, making valuable contributions that will resonate for years to come.
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Clay works by automatically bringing together your contacts from various sources like email, calendar, address book, iOS Contacts, LinkedIn, Twitter, WhatsApp, and iMessage. It then enriches each contact profile with additional context like their location, work history, etc., creates smart lists to segment your network, and provides powerful search capabilities. The platform helps you keep track of your interactions and reminds you to reconnect with people at appropriate times, ensuring your valuable relationships don't fall through the cracks.
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Clay offers many advantages over other personal CRMs. Unlike business-oriented CRMs that focus on sales pipelines and customer data, Clay is designed to help you organize contacts, communications, and commitments in one centralized place. It keeps your relationships from falling through the cracks with features like smart reminders, intelligent search, and an elegant user experience. Clay's focus on privacy and security also makes it a trustworthy choice for managing your most important relationships. Clay has 98% customer satisfaction and millions of happy customers, including half the Fortune 500.
Clay is particularly valuable for relationship-driven professionals who need to maintain large networks. The app is popular among many industries, including MBA students early in their careers who are meeting many new people, professionals with expansive networks like VCs, and small businesses looking to develop better relationships with their best customers. Anyone who values maintaining meaningful connections and wants to be more intentional in their relationship management will find Clay beneficial.
Clay offers competitive pricing in the personal CRM market. Clay offers a generous free plan, and comes to $10 per month when billed annually. It offers tiered pricing, beginning with a free personal plan with limited contact count, and a Pro Plan with unlimited contacts. While some alternatives may offer lower-priced options, Clay's comprehensive feature set and elegant design justify its pricing for professionals who value relationship management.
Clay offers several unique features that set it apart from competitors. Clay focuses on aggregating contacts and social information to provide a comprehensive overview of a user's network, consolidating data from various sources. Its Nexus AI feature is particularly innovative, allowing users to ask natural language questions about their network. Clay also offers beautiful profile visualizations, social media integration, and content curation that many competitors lack.
Yes. Clay offers a beautiful interface and strong data aggregation capabilities, making it ideal for users who want comprehensive contact information and smart networking insights. Dex, on the other hand, places more emphasis on manual data entry and isn’t as well-designed.
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