BMJ appoints first Entrepreneur in Residence to drive healthcare innovation

Lara Mott, CEO and co-founder of ImproveWell, will support BMJ’s strategy of working with entrepreneurs to create “a healthier world”

BMJ has appointed its first Entrepreneur in Residence, Lara Mott, to support its strategy of working with innovators in healthcare with the aim of creating “a healthier world.”

The appointment is part of the BMJ New Ventures programme, which was set up in 2016 to work with entrepreneurs in young companies who share its vision for a healthier world, and who can benefit from the company’s medical expertise, communications, and distribution channels.

Lara co-founded ImproveWell in 2016 to enable frontline healthcare professionals to drive change. ImproveWell is a digital solution enterprise, with a focus on quality improvement.

In less than three years, its technology has been adopted across the NHS and in the USA.

Before setting up ImproveWell, Lara worked in various senior roles across healthcare specialist investment, biotech, life sciences consulting and financial services businesses.

In 2014 she supported one of the largest UK biotech fundraisings at flotation on the London Stock Exchange, raising £200 million for Circassia, a specialty pharmaceutical company.  And in 2016 she directed a €660 million healthcare private equity fundraise for GHO Capital.

She was deputy chair of the UK BioIndustry Association’s Communications Advisory Committee for over four years, and was also a trustee for the award winning international NGO, Selfless, from 2015 to 2016.

Lara holds a first class degree in pharmacology from Bristol University where she was awarded the Hans Heller Memorial Prize for outstanding performance. In November 2017 she was named a “rising star” among the top 50 female leaders in UK healthcare by BioBeat.

As BMJ’s first Entrepreneur in Residence, Lara will be supporting BMJ’s strategy team to widen its horizons for innovation and entrepreneurship. As well as sharing her experience of innovation, Lara will provide strategic advice for internal and external projects. And she will help BMJ to shape the future of its Entrepreneur in Residence programme.

Commenting on the appointment, Anca Babor, Director of the Knowledge Centre at BMJ, said: “We are committed to working with entrepreneurs and bringing their unique perspectives to complement our in-house innovation work. I look forward to working with Lara on strengthening our innovation culture and further shaping our New Ventures programme.”

Lara Mott, CEO and Co-founder of ImproveWell, said: “With its prestigious reputation and worldwide reach, BMJ is in a strong position to encourage entrepreneurship and nurture opportunities across healthcare. The creation of this position highlights a commitment to innovation and I am honoured to have the opportunity to support the BMJ New Ventures team in developing a successful programme for the future.”

Further information
BMJ Media Relations team, London, UK
Tel: + 44 (0) 203 655 5021/5433
Email: mediarelations@bmj.com

Notes to Editors
About ImproveWell
A more engaged workforce leads to better patient outcomes and improved performance. ImproveWell is a digital solution focused on Quality Improvement which empowers frontline staff to drive change. ImproveWell has three core feedback systems: staff can share theme-based improvement ideas; staff can share how their day at work is going, helping organisations track workforce sentiment; and staff can complete bespoke pulse surveys. An intelligent data dashboard allows programme leads to capture real-time data, prioritise QI efforts, measure change and publish reports, completing the feedback loop. From the ward to the board, everyone can make suggestions to improve their workplace.  www.improvewell.com.

About BMJ
BMJ is a values-driven company and global brand, with a vision for a ‘healthier world’. The company partners with more than 8,000 medical organisations worldwide so they can provide their users with the best available resources. Its content is available in 14 languages. It develops evidence-based subscription-based products that help clinicians better tackle today’s most critical healthcare challenges. BMJ has offices in London and Cardiff (UK), New York (USA), Beijing (China) and Delhi (India). www.bmj.com/company.

About BMJ New Ventures
BMJ New Ventures is a programme aimed at accelerating the growth of early stage companies and ideas to achieve BMJ’s vision for a ‘healthier world’ together. It is always looking for mutually beneficial partnerships and will consider working with both early stage concepts as well as products that are already in operation in the healthcare or medical research sector. BMJ is in a strong position to help potential partners and can offer a wide range of resources from advertising, real estate and public relations, through content, product solutions, clinical support, events and engagement, to mentoring, technology and commercial expertise and guidance.